Hollow cobra Squeal question

[jamme61]

when I strum some open chords I seem to get a high pitched squeal sound (like a harmonic ) that sustains until I mute the strings with my hand. I put a little piece of foam behind the nut and it seemed to help. It does this on bar chords too? Does anybody have this happen and what can I do about it. Its not a biggie but annoying. Thanks for any help

[tom]

mahogany necks can be very lively and they will pick up little vibrations easily. make sure if you don't have locking tuners that you get 3 wraps around the post. if the tension is too light on the nut you can get those sympathetic vibrations.

[jamme61]

Thanks Tom , I was thinking about the wraps too. I'll give it a shot. This guitar is alive and bright, no where to hide, good. Thanks for the time

[Ray K.]

Tom, Can this occur on maple necks with non locking tuners?

I was working on a friends guitar (Strat) recently and he pointed this out to me. It is a bright sounding guitar. I wouldn't have noticed, or probably wouldn't have cared. It could only be heard unplugged or at a low volume/clean setting.

He wanted a new set of noiseless pickups and a setup.

When I gave it back to him, he let me know that he couldn't hear the sympathetic vibrations anymore. He was pleased.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

any six on a side headstock can do it if the tuners are too tall so that there's not enough tension on the nut. in the old days lots of people put schallers on strats then had to add string retainers because they were so tall.

[Ray K.]

Thanks, Tom! Most informative - a bit of knowledge I can use and also pass along.

Ray K.

[pipedwho]

I assume it makes a difference if you let the strings wind downwards (closer to the wood) versus winding them around the posts above the tuner holes?

[tom]

yes, they need to wind down. we usually have the split shaft tuners so you put the string down inside the center hole then wind. if you cut the string 3 posts past where it's going it will be just right.

[Jackfusion]

is not the same situation, but..
Some years ago I had problem with one of my guitars. When playing a particular note I heard a strange vibration. Then I discovered that the strap buttom screw was not fully tightened, causing the strap buttom vibrated at a certain frequency.

[Pietro]

is not the same situation, but..
Some years ago I had problem with one of my guitars. When playing a particular note I heard a strange vibration. Then I discovered that the strap buttom screw was not fully tightened, causing the strap buttom vibrated at a certain frequency.

That happens on my acoustic from time to time...

[jamme61]

I put a new set of strings with more wraps on the tuners (as per Toms suggestion)and problem is 95% gone . A little piece of foam behind the nut took care of the rest.

[Jack Gretz]

Over the years I have had so many guitars come through the shop with bad string winding techniques on the tuner posts. Need to get those 3 wraps on them and layer the string down the post

[jamme61]

Over the years I have had so many guitars come through the shop with bad string winding techniques on the tuner posts. Need to get those 3 wraps on them and layer the string down the post

Yea I got lazy LOL still need that foam though. I take it as a good thing, that this guitar is alive, with notes popping out everywhere. :)