[Blind89]

Hey everyone I'm using a Fender Jimmie Vaughan Sig Strat and I just switched the string gauge to 11's set everything up correctly but for some reason my G and B strings don't ring out like they should. It doesn't matter if it's open or I have my fingers on any fret they just don't ring out every other string rings clearly. Just so some people aren't confused it's not a buzzing sound but like I said they just don't ring out. I don't think the strings are hitting any frets when I play a note but I'm not 100% sure but should I raise the action on those strings a little bit? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[allthumbs]

It sounds more like one of the pickups may be too low.

[Blind89]

My bad I just realized something it does it when it's not plugged in either.

[allthumbs]

Well, that leaves the bridge and or the nut.

[Blind89]

What do you recommend I do?

[allthumbs]

Take it to a guitar tech and let them figure it out. Nut files cost about 70 bucks for a set so it isn't worth it to buy them for one job. If on the other hand the nut slots are too deep, you can use layers of crazy glue to fill in the grove a bit and the run the string back and forth throygh the slot till it is at the desired depth.
Check the saddles and the bridge itself to see if it is making tight contact with the body.
Really, a guitar tech would be the easiest way to go.

[Blind89]

Alright thank you for your help I really appreciate it.

[Doug C]

Blind89, have you found out what the problem was yet? I have the same thing going on with mine... I just put a squire strat back together after having it apart for a very long time, I thought I'd be cute and add some 12 gauge strings for a bluesy tone..and well, now some of the strings sound terrible..it's like you said, they don't ring out, sound very flat..others sound great.

Doug C

[Andy S]

I think AT is on to something. If you are going up in string gauge, then the strings could be getting hung up on the nut. The other thing you want to take a look at would be the string height. How close are they to the pickups? On the Strat, at least several I've looked at (my own being one) the pole piece for the D and G strings stick up a bit further than the others. If the action was set really low, then you go to a bigger gauge, it could be the magnetic field is causing a problem with them vibrating.

I've only seen this in Hot wired pups, like EMGs, where the magnet is so strong, it can actually pull on the string limiting how it vibrates when struck. it's just a thought, but, hey, if you don't look at it, that would be the one to be the problem.

Good luck! Let us know what the fix was.

[Doug C]

So if that scenario was true, you'd want to lower all 3 of the pick-ups?

Doug C

[Andy S]

I guess the questions would be,

How do the other strings sound?
How does it play overall?
How close do they (the strings) look to the pups?

If you 've looked and can see and feel a noticeable difference in the string height, then you would want to actually measure the height, make a note of it, then experiment a small bit at a time. With the original measurement noted, that would give you a starting point to return to.

I think the first thing I would do is loosen those two strings so that you can pull them up out of the slots in the nut. Then set them back in the slot, one at a time and try to see if they sit down all the way to the bottom of the cut.

If so, then I'd proceed with investigating the pickup heights and go from there.

As for all three, mine seem to be about the same level. I have seen others where there is just a slight difference form PUP to PUP. So, you may want to look at one, then make a small adjustment to see if it makes a diff. Then on the to next PUP, adjust, then test, then the next. it will only be a very small adjustment since your only talking about going form , what .9 or .10 strings to .11?

So make them small moves and remember to measure the original string height first, note it down then test.

[Doug C]

Sounds like great advice, thanks Andy. You know I did notice when I reattached the pick-guard that it didn't seem to sit completely flat at the front part toward the front p/u..like it was slightly warped up, so that p/u may need to be lowered. I'll measure and then experiment.

Doug C

[Andy S]

Originally Posted by Doug C

........You know I did notice when I reattached the pick-guard that it didn't seem to sit completely flat at the front part toward the front p/u..like it was slightly warped up, so that p/u may need to be lowered. I'll measure and then experiment.

Doug C

Doug, ?????
Help me out here. I've restrung my Strat dozens of times. I've never had to take the pick guard off. The only time I've ever had a pick guard off a strat was when I was repairing one for a friend. He had tried to change pups and , well, it got ugly.

If you took the pick guard off, with the pups attached, yes, you possibly got some or one of the wires pulled up out of position and it is forcing the pups up higher than usual.

Or, the PUP itself, or some other part of that whole assy is touching the strings and muting them. Take a real close look at the whole area around the pick guard and bridge and especially where the neck attaches to the body. I've seen a couple of Strats that someone took that assy. off, and when they attempted to reassemble it, got the wires pinched in there. That might be all it is.

I would NOT adjust the height of the pups until I was sure the "warp" was flat again and you were sure no wires are pinched or hung up.

Let us know what you find.

[Doug C]

Oh sorry I didn't explain that I just put the guitar back after it being totally apart for over a year... I stripped it down and refinished it in Nitro laquer over sunburst. That was probably a crazy thing to do to a squier but hey..

Doug C

[Andy S]

Originally Posted by Doug C

Oh sorry I didn't explain that I just put the guitar back after it being totally apart for over a year... I stripped it down and refinished it in Nitro laquer over sunburst. That was probably a crazy thing to do to a squier but hey..

Doug C

Cool!! Maybe you aren't aware of the unwritten rule I just made up If you remodel, customize, accentuate or anything to do with detailing or painting your axe, you GOTTA POST PICS!!

HA!! Hey, it's a Squire? Yeh, but now it's your CUSTOMIZED PERSONAL Squire. SO, when it's all complete and sounding good again, let's see those pics of the paint job!

Keep us informed.