Annoying Squeak (Squeal?)

Bluemonk · #1 02-20-2018, 03:03 PM

I have a Collings AT-17 archtop that is so responsive, when I play around the higher frets, especially on the unwound strings, a loud high pitched note emerges from the soundbox. I'm not talking string squeak. The note appears when I am fretting a note, not sliding up to it. It is especially prominent, and sustaining as well, when I apply vibrato. The frets do not feel particularly rough, but I suspect a fret polishing may solve the issue. Anyone have any experience and/or insight about this?

muscmp · #2 02-20-2018, 05:14 PM

do you clean your hands prior to playing and the strings afterward? may be gunked up strings getting corroded or the frets.

play music!

Bluemonk · #3 02-20-2018, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscmp

do you clean your hands prior to playing and the strings afterward? may be gunked up strings getting corroded or the frets.

play music!

Obsessively. Definitely not the strings, as I just put on a brand new set. Could be the frets, but there is no visible gunk on them.

The more I think about it, the sound is similar to the sound that results when you run your finger across the edge of a crystal glass.

zmf · #4 02-20-2018, 05:53 PM

No idea what's going on, but it sounds like your Collings is ticklish.

cotten · #5 02-20-2018, 06:14 PM

zmf, I wish I had said that!

cotten

#6 02-20-2018, 06:16 PM

Kinda sounds like feedback to me. You got some electronics inside that thing?

Bluemonk · #7 02-20-2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen Rat

Kinda sounds like feedback to me. You got some electronics inside that thing?

Nope. Purely acoustic.

#8 02-20-2018, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemonk

Nope. Purely acoustic.

OK, you need a priest then, this is beyond my ken :-).

Seriously though, a high pitched squeal probably isn't from the wood, so it's likelysomething metal, so your guess it's fret related may be your best place to start. Check them carefully and see if one might be a smidge loose, if you haven't already that is. You sound rather meticulous so you probably already have.

Bluemonk · #9 02-20-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen Rat

OK, you need a priest then, this is beyond my ken :-).

Seriously though, a high pitched squeal probably isn't from the wood, so it's likelysomething metal, so your guess it's fret related may be your best place to start. Check them carefully and see if one might be a smidge loose, if you haven't already that is. You sound rather meticulous so you probably already have.

Yes, I haven't found any loose frets. My initial thought was that the guitar is so responsive that it is picking up vibrations of the strings against frets that need a good polishing. If that does not turn out to be the case, maybe an exorcism is the way to go after all.