This is the most thorough video on string dampening. I've been playing guitar for about 15 years and I am just now getting around to doing this. Great video!
@@gabrielem.9690 Hey. I'm not planning videos on that specific model in the near future. I had a brief look at two CST guitars on my secondary channel but it never turned into a review. Right now there several new and interesting HB models I'd love to cover asap
Great tips. Had some very nice pickups put into my Telecaster and installed a graphtech nut and the mechanical noise was significant. Used the velcro tip on the headstock and it's almost 100% gone. I can't hear anything except beautiful new pickups. Thanks again.
Add foam in the pickup cavity. Fill it on all sides, no empty spots to remain. Big thickness boost in tone. Cuz less feedback. The pickup cavities act like smaller F holes.
That's a beautiful tele, Max. I chased so many guitars looking for that perfect, vesatile axe, and stayed away from tele's thinking they were primarily a blues guitar.....boy was I wrong. Thanks for the tips on string/fret buzz..
Hmmm. An alternative point of view: Clapton used a trem Strat made hard tail with wood blocks but insisted on the springs being there in order to give the guitar a 'bit of twang'. Flamenco guitar players have always treasured the additional twang given by the strings between nut and tuners/pegs, and ensure that when changing strings, those bits of string string can resonate undisturbed. In previous decades, and with some current models, both acoustic and electric steel stringed guitars used a stoptail connected to the strap pin (ie a trapeze tailpiece) in order to maximise the length of freely vibrating string between the bridge and stoptail.
Good point 👍 the extra noise is probably rather a problem when the playing style involves heavy distortion and a cranked marhall wall 😂🎸?? Then the noise fattens the signal in some nasty frequencies.
Huge props to you for this. even though it is 3 years old. the Velcro trick has so many usages and solves so many noise issues on the guitar. also, if some people, like me, thinks that the Black velcro takes away from the look of the guitar, if you get velcro with the adhesive back, you can just put some colored tape on the front facing side of the velcro. for my guitars with gold or Chrome hardware. I just use some gold/chrome metallic tape and bam...looks more aesthetically pleasing.
I have a ton of experience setting up, intonating etc....guitars over the years, and oddly I never factored in the strings ringing out on the headstock as a source of noise. I suppose some would simply call it resonance, and even desirable at times, but not always. Thanks for that suggestion.
This video deserves way more views!!! Btw, velcro and cable ties are awesome not just for dealing with mechanical noise, but also as mutes for unrequired strings while recording, or as string dampeners for bass guitars. 👌
I have used foam behind nut when I switched to 9 - 42 for lead from 10 - 46 strings. However, the foam wears out quickly. Velcro seems to be the next choice as you demonstrated. I will do that. Thanks for a good work.
Very informative!!! Those magic velcros sure do some miracles getting rid of those pesky mechanical noises. I do have fretwrap on my tale but will employ Velcro's too.
On tremolo springs I use heat shrink tubing, but with heat applied so the tubing is snug only at both ends, and only just touching the springs in the middle.
That works but may affect the tuning. It's like fighting the friction in the nut - if there's any friction between springs and something else the tremolo may have problems returning to the zero point
@@MaxSoloMusic That's true, but only if you overheat the center portion, which is where the spring does it's thing. The end of any spring is pretty stiff anyway, and serves merely as acoustical transmission points to your pickups. I just touch the very ends with the gun on a low setting and check as I go. It should not affect the tuning or the range of pitch deviation in any way. If the arm feels any stiffer then you've gone too far. I liken it to edge-choking a cymbal.
Хорошие советы, реально рабочие и незатратные. Бывает, на гитарах ещё датчики вибрируют, появляется дребезг на длинных нотах, помогает проложить поролон по бокам датчика
I've always used a piece of soft foam under the springs. Dampens the springs moving side to side altogether and only allows vertical movement. The soft foam doesn't effect spring tension so no problems with bridge returning to zero either. Little graphite lube on all metal contacting surfaces eliminates creaking while using the trem. Didn't notice how much mechanical noises came thru until they were gone.
Thanks for the great video! I just setup my new strat like this. I never would have thought you could hear the opposite side of the string trees but if I punched it pretty hard I definitely could. I might try weaving some parachute cord for a more finished look than velcro. Thanks again.
Dude, your content is a goldmine! I wonder why you have so few subscribers while much less informative channels go into millions. You surely deserve better!
Will try on my Ibanez edge-zero system. I believe some tones cause resonance in the spring and reduce sustain. Maybe your simple Trick with the paperroll helps 👍
If you need an effects review, find Andy. If you need a guitar-science-or-whatever-it-is-called, find this guy. You once enlightened me with your guitar synth effects(GR 55//SY 300) review, now you enlightened me again. Thank you!
I actually pushed cut-offs from an old Ethernet cable into my springs. Now they are dead silent. Rubber tubes will absorb nearly all audible vibration if it's the right fit/hardness! The softer, the better. :)
Now how do I play Van Halens Runnin With the Devil and not having it sound dampened? Springs I can understand a bit. Oh well... You can also just take some Velcro with the soft fuzz part and stick it to the back of the plate cover where it barely touches the tremolo springs. Takes that noise away very fast and doesn't get in the way, causing the tremolo to not return to the center position. I figured that one out about 10 years ago. But you have to have the tremolo plate cover.
Bro, I’m not sure why I’ve just accepted the little noises even though I knew what they were. Your video motivated me to soundproof my Charvel Danhage.
hi buddy that was an awsome vidio, i learnt alot from you tonight , im now applying the same tech to my metal axe wraith , thank you , kind regards mike in the uk.
I have a question. Most guitars with a floyd rose have a piece of thin metal on the neck above the locking nut, held in place by 2 screws, that pushes the strings down(string retainer). Shouldn't this be enough to solve the problem as the strings do not ring between the nut and that metal piece. Is dampening still needed?
This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much for posting!
ปีที่แล้ว
And what about the toggle switch noise transmitted to the pickup? On all my Jackson/Ibanez/Schecter, when I want to quickly change to neck pickup, I hear the toggle (mechanical noise) through the amp.... So each time I use the volume pedal... Not the quickest way.
question, doesnt this kills your sustain, as it prevens the vibration from entering the body??, or it increases it as energy remains on the lenght of the string, unable to escape into the wood
Hey bro, yes, I made it to the end, which is rare. You didn't answer my initial noise concern but inadvertently responded to others, so thank you for that! My question initially was why even as my strings are not touching in any way to any frets, they seem to make this weird out-of-balance buzz that sounds much like it's fretting, but it's not. It is especially prevalent on the high "E." (Only when you hit the string)
I'm chasing guitar buzz / hum particularly in distortion pedals and bad jack connections. Nice tips! Velcro idea is nice, in a pinch I use elastic band.
Great video! I really enjoyed the spring damping methods, since I've been using fret wraps for years now, but I didn't know how much the tremolo springs contributed to the noise. I can't remember the last time I picked up on set-up/mod tips that I actually didn't know from a video!
Was doing research on my Ibanez RX40 to try and fix it, first guitar and it doesn't seam to work, mean time, I can remember the paper and Velcro tricks when i get it working. Thanks!
I got a guitar set up and a new bone nut installed on my strat. I’m getting ringing/overtones when I play single notes. Even short guitar notes trigger string feedback noise from the other unused strings and even the string being played. Happens when I play 3 or 2 string chords on GBE strings as well. I get feedback from the EAD strings. Wasn’t like this before I had the this job done. The action is very low near the first few frets by the nut. I’ve also noticed the action is not even through out neck. Gets higher going down the guitar. I’m taking it back to the shop next week. I’m regretting getting this bone nut swapped if that’s the issue. Or was it a bad set up or is this sympathetic resonance im dealing with now? Wasn’t happening before I took the guitar in. Nice video.
I am new to electric guitar. Talking about noise, I have grg121sp and I can hear a gentle noise and the noise goes away when i touch the pick ups but the noise get louder when I touch the pick up selector. Is it normal?
I use a terrycloth hair tie behind the nut. (inner diameter 1 inch, 1€ on ebay) Idea "stolen" from G. Govan Second side effect: having a steel nut, the open strings sound exactly like a freted string, because the dampening behind the nut acts like a finger behind the fret. Third function: If in need for string dampening for slide or tapping, just pull the hair tie over the nut 😉 On the trem springs I pull strips of foam thru them. The shape has no importancy as long as they fit thru by pulling on the tied wire or thread arround one end of the foam. You can put also a square foam under the springs, but I like a bit of springvibration for the sound. What gets mostly overlooked: the buzz and chirp you get from the springs on the height adjustment screws of the pups. I replaced all springs with silicone tubes😊 As for dampening behind the TOM-bridge: it's robbing little bit of high frequencies and a bit sustain... you can test it by palm-muting those string bits.
Interesting. I used to put foam in the trem cavity behind the springs to quiet then down. Good video and your english is excellent. My German is kaputt. 😂🤣
I noticed the first guitar fender strat you only fixed it 90 percent but its missing the 10 percent solution on this video Can you let me know whats missing since i have played strats before
I can see this being useful on metal type ‘chug’ guitars but not sure I’d notice so much on others. I’m curious enough to check it out though. Wow, that Danelectro did sound pretty bad.
I shove drinking straws inside the springs. Works like a charm, but you need to find straws of proper diameter. For the strings behind the nut I've used rubber band like the one, which is used in the cloth, worked better than velcro, but looked uglier.
This is the most thorough video on string dampening. I've been playing guitar for about 15 years and I am just now getting around to doing this. Great video!
Dude....that rolled up paper in the springs made a massive difference! Thank you!
the best video out of all the videos when I searched "String Dampener".
Great video. Definitely using some of these tips on my electric violin!
Max these videos are extremely useful, thank you so much! Btw could you do more Harley Benton reviews? Your reviews are the best
Sure thing! I have a few Bentons waiting for the next season of guitar reviews to begin!
@@MaxSoloMusic hi max ik im late but could you review the sc custom or the cst-24? Thanks
@@gabrielem.9690 Hey. I'm not planning videos on that specific model in the near future. I had a brief look at two CST guitars on my secondary channel but it never turned into a review. Right now there several new and interesting HB models I'd love to cover asap
Those are arguably the best improvement/dollar tips I've ever seen.
Thanks
Great tips. Had some very nice pickups put into my Telecaster and installed a graphtech nut and the mechanical noise was significant. Used the velcro tip on the headstock and it's almost 100% gone. I can't hear anything except beautiful new pickups. Thanks again.
**builds guitar out of velcro for ultimate dampening**
Love your channel, Max! This was really helpful. It would be great to see a video where you talk about dealing with the other 10% of mechanical noise.
You lick it better, like a cat mothering its offspring. Don't forget to purrr.
Paper in the tremolo springs was exactly what I needed!
I have never seen this as a problem in 15 years of playing. I love the idea, so I'll def give it a try right now
Hi Max, your video was excellent! To the point and many practical examples on how to stop unwanted noise.
Very good tips! I hadn’t thought about that noise before. Thanks dude!
I just started myself just grabbed the Velcro cable tie . I like Tyler Lawson’s idea of putting a piece of new age foam..
Manufacturers of expensive fret noise reducers are in shambles after this video! I've used velcro cable ties for years, and it simply works.
Add foam in the pickup cavity. Fill it on all sides, no empty spots to remain. Big thickness boost in tone. Cuz less feedback. The pickup cavities act like smaller F holes.
Dude, I love you man. Thank you for walking this earth making these great YT videos
That's a beautiful tele, Max. I chased so many guitars looking for that perfect, vesatile axe, and stayed away from tele's thinking they were primarily a blues guitar.....boy was I wrong. Thanks for the tips on string/fret buzz..
got here by accident, but was totally what I needed for my guitar. Thanks.
Hmmm. An alternative point of view:
Clapton used a trem Strat made hard tail with wood blocks but insisted on the springs being there in order to give the guitar a 'bit of twang'.
Flamenco guitar players have always treasured the additional twang given by the strings between nut and tuners/pegs, and ensure that when changing strings, those bits of string string can resonate undisturbed.
In previous decades, and with some current models, both acoustic and electric steel stringed guitars used a stoptail connected to the strap pin (ie a trapeze tailpiece) in order to maximise the length of freely vibrating string between the bridge and stoptail.
Good point 👍 the extra noise is probably rather a problem when the playing style involves heavy distortion and a cranked marhall wall 😂🎸?? Then the noise fattens the signal in some nasty frequencies.
Huge props to you for this. even though it is 3 years old. the Velcro trick has so many usages and solves so many noise issues on the guitar. also, if some people, like me, thinks that the Black velcro takes away from the look of the guitar, if you get velcro with the adhesive back, you can just put some colored tape on the front facing side of the velcro. for my guitars with gold or Chrome hardware. I just use some gold/chrome metallic tape and bam...looks more aesthetically pleasing.
I’ve been playing for 20 years now, and had no idea about mechanical noise. Great content and delivery. I subbed right away!
I have a ton of experience setting up, intonating etc....guitars over the years, and oddly I never factored in the strings ringing out on the headstock as a source of noise. I suppose some would simply call it resonance, and even desirable at times, but not always. Thanks for that suggestion.
Can't wait to try this. I thought it was the Floyd springs so I dampened them. Helped a little, but only a little.
Really great channel, Max! You provide so many practical solutions for guitar problems, etc. Great, in depth reviews, too. Thanks a ton!
My pleasure!
Wow, i did not know these things made such loud noises. Thanks a bunch!
Thank you for covering all the tremolo types I own and the schaller sure claw that I will own in the future and the ZR Tremolo thank you so much
I stumbled on this video. And like many guitarists, I have a few guitars. This video gave me a lot to think about, and some work to do ;)
This video deserves way more views!!!
Btw, velcro and cable ties are awesome not just for dealing with mechanical noise, but also as mutes for unrequired strings while recording, or as string dampeners for bass guitars. 👌
I have used foam behind nut when I switched to 9 - 42 for lead from 10 - 46 strings. However, the foam wears out quickly. Velcro seems to be the next choice as you demonstrated. I will do that. Thanks for a good work.
Very informative!!! Those magic velcros sure do some miracles getting rid of those pesky mechanical noises. I do have fretwrap on my tale but will employ Velcro's too.
I would love to see a second part. Very useful stuff here.
Noted!
On tremolo springs I use heat shrink tubing, but with heat applied so the tubing is snug only at both ends, and only just touching the springs in the middle.
That works but may affect the tuning. It's like fighting the friction in the nut - if there's any friction between springs and something else the tremolo may have problems returning to the zero point
@@MaxSoloMusic That's true, but only if you overheat the center portion, which is where the spring does it's thing. The end of any spring is pretty stiff anyway, and serves merely as acoustical transmission points to your pickups.
I just touch the very ends with the gun on a low setting and check as I go. It should not affect the tuning or the range of pitch deviation in any way. If the arm feels any stiffer then you've gone too far. I liken it to edge-choking a cymbal.
I’ve been looking for this type of solution for vibration! Thank you!
Хорошие советы, реально рабочие и незатратные. Бывает, на гитарах ещё датчики вибрируют, появляется дребезг на длинных нотах, помогает проложить поролон по бокам датчика
O да. Датчики, пружины их поддерживающие, иногда даже анкер. Все что не закреплено - будет резонировать и вибрировать
I've always used a piece of soft foam under the springs. Dampens the springs moving side to side altogether and only allows vertical movement. The soft foam doesn't effect spring tension so no problems with bridge returning to zero either. Little graphite lube on all metal contacting surfaces eliminates creaking while using the trem. Didn't notice how much mechanical noises came thru until they were gone.
Thanks for the great video! I just setup my new strat like this. I never would have thought you could hear the opposite side of the string trees but if I punched it pretty hard I definitely could. I might try weaving some parachute cord for a more finished look than velcro. Thanks again.
Dude, your content is a goldmine! I wonder why you have so few subscribers while much less informative channels go into millions. You surely deserve better!
Thanks smk666. Channels that go into millions are in the entertainment niche, not in gear reviews :) TH-cam naturally promotes those videos much more
Will try on my Ibanez edge-zero system. I believe some tones cause resonance in the spring and reduce sustain. Maybe your simple Trick with the paperroll helps 👍
Good job Max! I usually use a big piece of "sponge" ( that one inside the EMG package) for the floyd Rose noise
I learned a lot from this video, thanks!! Btw your face contorting when you hit the tremolo springs is FTH! Good job! I subscribed
Brilliant. This worked really well on my noisy guitar. Thanks hero.
Thank you for this Max. One of the best channels on TH-cam with extremely useful content.
Thanks! I'm glad to hear that!
I have used every one of those
Techniques
A combination of Techniques usually works best.
Depending on setup of course.
Great informative Vid.
This is truly the most informative video on combating mechanical noise out there . Thank you!
If you need an effects review, find Andy. If you need a guitar-science-or-whatever-it-is-called, find this guy. You once enlightened me with your guitar synth effects(GR 55//SY 300) review, now you enlightened me again. Thank you!
What a great video! It’s amazing that you found a topic that stands out given all of the guitar content available already.
I actually pushed cut-offs from an old Ethernet cable into my springs. Now they are dead silent. Rubber tubes will absorb nearly all audible vibration if it's the right fit/hardness! The softer, the better. :)
The velcro thing is genius! Thnx
Great man, I do this with Heat-Shrink Tubing
I have had problem with noisy E1 string, your video helped, thanks.
I have so much of this stuff laying around. Thanks!
By far the best video about noise, thanks!
Now how do I play Van Halens Runnin With the Devil and not having it sound dampened? Springs I can understand a bit. Oh well... You can also just take some Velcro with the soft fuzz part and stick it to the back of the plate cover where it barely touches the tremolo springs. Takes that noise away very fast and doesn't get in the way, causing the tremolo to not return to the center position. I figured that one out about 10 years ago. But you have to have the tremolo plate cover.
Bro, I’m not sure why I’ve just accepted the little noises even though I knew what they were. Your video motivated me to soundproof my Charvel Danhage.
hi buddy that was an awsome vidio, i learnt alot from you tonight , im now applying the same tech to my metal axe wraith , thank you , kind regards mike in the uk.
Great revelation for guitar players who don't even thing about this stuff!!!
I have a question. Most guitars with a floyd rose have a piece of thin metal on the neck above the locking nut, held in place by 2 screws, that pushes the strings down(string retainer). Shouldn't this be enough to solve the problem as the strings do not ring between the nut and that metal piece. Is dampening still needed?
Thanks Max! Pretty much a direct answer to my previous question!
Excellent!
Some heatshrink (maybe with a tiny bit of foam in it) on each string could work, be a hassle to do each string change, but it’d look tidy.
I wonder if a pipe cleaner would work well for tremolo springs?🙏🏻
this video alone got me subscribed
This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much for posting!
And what about the toggle switch noise transmitted to the pickup? On all my Jackson/Ibanez/Schecter, when I want to quickly change to neck pickup, I hear the toggle (mechanical noise) through the amp.... So each time I use the volume pedal... Not the quickest way.
question, doesnt this kills your sustain, as it prevens the vibration from entering the body??, or it increases it as energy remains on the lenght of the string, unable to escape into the wood
Hey bro, yes, I made it to the end, which is rare. You didn't answer my initial noise concern but inadvertently responded to others, so thank you for that! My question initially was why even as my strings are not touching in any way to any frets, they seem to make this weird out-of-balance buzz that sounds much like it's fretting, but it's not. It is especially prevalent on the high "E." (Only when you hit the string)
Hey. It sounds like something might be vibrating in the bridge or above the nut, I'd check those first
Excelente Max ! Como todo el contenido del canal ! 🎸🎶🎵😁
Gracias!
Man, awesome. I'll apply to my gear right now!
Solid video. Nice work explaining the springs in the back of the guitar and how they add to the noise.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for the advice, very helpful :)
Any way to reduce the 'hum' noise when running on mains electricity, apart from an expensive UPS device?
Thank you so much. You solved all of my problems.
I'm chasing guitar buzz / hum particularly in distortion pedals and bad jack connections. Nice tips! Velcro idea is nice, in a pinch I use elastic band.
Great video! I really enjoyed the spring damping methods, since I've been using fret wraps for years now, but I didn't know how much the tremolo springs contributed to the noise. I can't remember the last time I picked up on set-up/mod tips that I actually didn't know from a video!
how do you mute the noise between the ball end of the strings and the tailpiece? .
Dude This is the first time I've watched your video excellent especially the tremolas way overlooked stuff man but I'm OCD about that 🤘🤘🤘
Was doing research on my Ibanez RX40 to try and fix it, first guitar and it doesn't seam to work, mean time, I can remember the paper and Velcro tricks when i get it working. Thanks!
I got a guitar set up and a new bone nut installed on my strat. I’m getting ringing/overtones when I play single notes. Even short guitar notes trigger string feedback noise from the other unused strings and even the string being played. Happens when I play 3 or 2 string chords on GBE strings as well. I get feedback from the EAD strings. Wasn’t like this before I had the this job done. The action is very low near the first few frets by the nut. I’ve also noticed the action is not even through out neck. Gets higher going down the guitar. I’m taking it back to the shop next week. I’m regretting getting this bone nut swapped if that’s the issue. Or was it a bad set up or is this sympathetic resonance im dealing with now? Wasn’t happening before I took the guitar in. Nice video.
All I have to say is "Wow!" Thanks, very useful video!
I am new to electric guitar. Talking about noise, I have grg121sp and I can hear a gentle noise and the noise goes away when i touch the pick ups but the noise get louder when I touch the pick up selector. Is it normal?
Hello bro from Russia! This is a very useful video. I'm already ordering Velcro tape
Heatshrink on springs works very well.
Great video thanks 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it
Very helpful, thanks! I'm just about to do some work on 2 guitars with tremolos, i'll definitely add this on the to-do list
Sounds like a plan!
stayed til the end, thanks dude
پسر فوقالعاده بود ممنونم و موفق باشی❤
Very well explained and very helpful your video Max. Thank you!
Hi buddy, second video watched subscribed at the first! I use a cloth underneath the springs of the floyd rose, didn’t knew about the rest, tks!
Very informative video Max, I was wondering how to eliminate the sitar type sound resonating from the high E on my Gibson SG?
I use a terrycloth hair tie behind the nut. (inner diameter 1 inch, 1€ on ebay) Idea "stolen" from G. Govan
Second side effect: having a steel nut, the open strings sound exactly like a freted string, because the dampening behind the nut acts like a finger behind the fret.
Third function: If in need for string dampening for slide or tapping, just pull the hair tie over the nut 😉
On the trem springs I pull strips of foam thru them. The shape has no importancy as long as they fit thru by pulling on the tied wire or thread arround one end of the foam. You can put also a square foam under the springs, but I like a bit of springvibration for the sound.
What gets mostly overlooked: the buzz and chirp you get from the springs on the height adjustment screws of the pups. I replaced all springs with silicone tubes😊
As for dampening behind the TOM-bridge: it's robbing little bit of high frequencies and a bit sustain... you can test it by palm-muting those string bits.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information.
Wow that's impressive improvement
Dude, these tricks were great! Thank you for your vids, they're pretty cool 🤘
Glad you like them!
Interesting. I used to put foam in the trem cavity behind the springs to quiet then down. Good video and your english is excellent. My German is kaputt. 😂🤣
Foam works. But too much pressure on the springs may cause the trem to not return to zero. I found velcro to be more gentle
What is a high pitched squel caused from and how do I eliminate it : (
I noticed the first guitar fender strat you only fixed it 90 percent but its missing the 10 percent solution on this video
Can you let me know whats missing since i have played strats before
Nice idea for tremolo springs! Thanks :-) 👍
I can see this being useful on metal type ‘chug’ guitars but not sure I’d notice so much on others. I’m curious enough to check it out though. Wow, that Danelectro did sound pretty bad.
I shove drinking straws inside the springs. Works like a charm, but you need to find straws of proper diameter. For the strings behind the nut I've used rubber band like the one, which is used in the cloth, worked better than velcro, but looked uglier.
This is cool! But I strumming my pick against the tight headstock strings haha so this is not for me. Great video
Awesome content! Please never stop!