A very remedial intonation question....

[Calcifer]

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but here goes....
On what frets should I expect to get a good ringing sound ? On my mahogany D-15, the 12th and 7th frets do fine....the 5th fret is questionable.
I'm asking because years back, on one of my electrics, I got it on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th as well. Is my memory shot ?
(Hangs head in shame)
Michael

[rct]

Are you asking why you have clear, ringing harmonics on one guitar and not on another?

rct

[JeffreyAK]

This table is useful for locating harmonics, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_harmonic The higher notes are harder to make on some guitar/string combinations, and you'd expect them to be clearest on guitars with stiff and/or heavy tops and fresh uncoated strings.

[Calcifer]

Um.... the very first question Is my question. Seems pretty straightforward to me. I doubt I can further clarify...
???

[The Bard Rocks]

You can find other spots for harmonics as your technique is refined. The 5th fret, for instance, is very doable. I have noticed that some guitars respond better than others, but a person good with these techniques can do it on most any guitar.

[Calcifer]

Ok.... thanks for the replies, but I was hoping to keep this simple; so let me try again....
On your favorite acoustic, on what frets do You find the intonation sweet spots...?
Michael

[backdoc]

Maybe I am confused, but you are saying intonation but sounds like you are discussing harmonics. Again, I may be misinformed, but I understand those two terms to be completely different concepts.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Calcifer

... On what frets should I expect to get a good ringing sound ? On my mahogany D-15, the 12th and 7th frets do fine....the 5th fret is questionable....

Originally Posted by Calcifer

Um.... the very first question Is my question. Seems pretty straightforward to me. I doubt I can further clarify...
???

You asked about intonation but then talked about "ringing" but then it sounds like you are looking for harmonics.

Your question has mashed together three different tonal phenomenon.

[Calcifer]

Ahhh.....that might be the problem right there. In ignorance I probably used the wrong term. Dang.
Same question with harmonics...lol.
Sorry for the confusion !
M

[rick-slo]

Sympathetic vibration of an open string I guess is what you are referring to. Just take one example in standard
tuning: Pluck sixth string on the fifth fret and then stop the six string from ringing and you will hear the open fifth
string ringing loud and clear. Look for other instances of that sort.

[Looburst]

If you're having trouble with the 5th fret harmonic ring, try going moving further away from the sound hole, or closer to the bridge to strum it. Sometimes different guitars ring better at the 5th fret when doing this. I know many of my 12 fret models do.

[Calcifer]

Thanks. I appreciate that insight, it actually addresses what I was trying to find out.... I was about to abandon this thread.
I'd still love to hear:
My guitar does great on the 12th, 7th, 5th fret, etc....or whatever.
Thanks again.
Michael

[rct]

Originally Posted by Calcifer

Ahhh.....that might be the problem right there. In ignorance I probably used the wrong term. Dang.
Same question with harmonics...lol.
Sorry for the confusion !
M

Alrighty then!

Harmonics are produced when you stop a string at a node, a division point along the length of the vibrating portion, that is, betwixt nut and bridge, mmkay?

The spot, if you will, the point on the string that coincides with frets on the neck, is rather small. Our fingers are rather large in comparison. Often we reach for the spot that we think of as 5th or 7th or even 12th and don't get it on this guitar.

That can be because that particular fret is off enough to cause your large finger surface to have to move a tad.

It can be because your striking point, where you hit the string, is above a node that stops the one you are trying to hear.

On some electrics, 24 fret necks are somewhat known for it, the neck pickup won't hear most harmonics, it sits at a node that cancels the others.

So there's some harmonics 101 pretty basic stuff without all the other stuff that humans can't hear. If one guitar is easier than others, move your fretting finger a tad forward or back, move your pick forward or back. If it still doesn't ring like your other guitar, no worries. Might be a dead spot in the neck or top that stops that node.

As a predominantly electric player, I can find the open harmonics on all of my guitars.

Fret a string at the 5th, then start dividing the length by touching an octave away at the 17th, you'll get juicy sweet harmonics that Mr. Beck and I have a great fondness for. Get the hang of that and you'll be getting harmonics all over all the necks of all your guitars.

Acoustics? meh. Not so much. They can't hear it anyway and it's too hard to bend and waggle them into righteous feedback.

rct

[The Bard Rocks]

Don't believe nodes? Try this. it's neat. Ring the harmonic at the 12th fret (any will work but the 12th is easiest) and then lightly put your finger over the fret. The note will still ring even though you are touching it and should be deadening it. Cool.

[tippy5]

If you are thinking about where on the guitar fretboard can one coax the easiest overtones. The 7th thru 10th fret D, G and B strings. Play a D chord at the fifth fret and while the guitar is sustaining play a D major scale above that. You can pick up background overtones that support the fundamental notes in nice ways.

Another way to generate them is dropped D or double dropped D tuning.
Lower the low E string to a D. Then play D maj. licks or scales at the 7th fret area.