Flawed Collins acoustic?

[echo44]

Hi
I just bought a collings cj mahogany awesome guitar
I noticed tonight when i play an open G chord and stop the chord by muting the strings just like you would stop any chord from ringing a high pitch G note rings. It is not comming rom the strings since I am muting them?
It comes from the sound hole. There are no loose parts.
It sounds what a tuning fork would sound like.
Any ideas what is causing this?

[echo44]

ok so i think i figured out where the noise is coming from it is the strings vibrating on the other side of the nut. I have never had this happen before? Should I return the guitar or is this a common issue?

[John_M]

It's a common occurance. Strings vibrate freely, and you just happen to have a sympathetic vibration on the other side - perhaps a different set of strings would be just enough off, or a deeper nut saddle, or a few more/less winds to increase/decrease the angle and tone of that string.

I've seen where Kottke would put a large hair elastic on the other side of the nut - granted he was recording with mics that would pickup his snots whistling, but the same concept. You could weave a piece of paper between the strings on the other side of the nut until your next string change.

[pitner]

I was thinking the same thing when I read your post. Worth a try on the damper.

[Jahn]

Unfortunately it's not an uncommon occurrence. A Taylor 810 I had way back when had a similar problem and I had to stuff something behind the nut under the strings to make it go away, annoying. A Tele I had exhibited something similar, but a simple recut of the nut took care of that. Yep, string angle over the nut might be an issue here too. Take it back to the store, have their tech look at it, and see what he might suggest.

[echo44]

so you would keep the guitar which other wise sounds nice and looks nice
(i will post a picture soon)

[echo44]

Another question
is that a quality issue regarding collings manufacture process?

[Rob Sharer]

Another question
is that a quality issue regarding collings manufacture process?

Um, no. You won't find a more careful manufacturing process. Just put the hairband on and quit worrying! That's what I do, and there's nothing wrong with my Lowden. Sympathetic resonance is all part of inhabiting the physical world. Without it, where would Ravi Shankar be?

Rob

[Shemp]

It's a common problem with a simple fix. Weave a small piece of leather through the strings above the nut. A boot shoe lace works great.

[riffmeister]

I think a lawsuit is in order. It's the American Way.

;)

[John_M]

I've got a Frankentele that has this on the high E and it's acutally quite musical on an open E chord. I don't play that guitar much or gig it- if I did I'd probably grow to hate it - but when I pull it down occasionally I think - ooh that sounds nice! I like the idea of foam, say the kind in a pickup box, or an earplug, between the headstock and the strings behind the nut - even less visible.

[AnthonyL]

or just call Collings. They will make it right.

[Mark EL]

+1 on the above! They're the best.

[Structo]

The nut needs adjusting. Simple fix.

[jgm]

I own a CJ in Mahog/Adirondack and it just keeps getting better - probably the most versatile flatop I've ever owned. Don't sell it, play the finish off the thing!

The problem as said above is common and you see guys running a lace behind the bridge when they have trapeze tailpieces - same issue, other end. You're hearing it in such a pronounced way with the Collings since it's such a resonant guitar.

Enjoy

[Rob Sharer]

The nut needs adjusting. Simple fix.

What in the world would you do to the nut to correct a string afterlength that happens to be tuned to a recognizable note when the guitar is at concert pitch?!?

Rob

[riffmeister]

I think a lawsuit is in order. It's the American Way.

;)

Or stick a lit cigarette between the offending string and an adjacent one. :RoCkIn

[drive-south]

It's a common occurance. Strings vibrate freely, and you just happen to have a sympathetic vibration on the other side - perhaps a different set of strings would be just enough off, or a deeper nut saddle, or a few more/less winds to increase/decrease the angle and tone of that string.

I've seen where Kottke would put a large hair elastic on the other side of the nut - granted he was recording with mics that would pickup his snots whistling, but the same concept. You could weave a piece of paper between the strings on the other side of the nut until your next string change.


I agree with this approach. I'd definately restring it and make sure there are enough windings around each post to pull the strings down. I wouldn't return it or call Collings until I at least tried this.

Enjoy your' new CJ. They are great.

drive-south

[walterw]

What in the world would you do to the nut to correct a string afterlength that happens to be tuned to a recognizable note when the guitar is at concert pitch?!?

Rob
maybe backfiling that slot a little will change the takeoff point of that little section of string enough to reduce the ring. (personally i think that kind of stuff is just part of the "lively" nature of a good resonant guitar and don't worry about it much.)