I have a Yamaha acoustic guitar. After playing it for a year I change the strings and now it sounds like crap, all buzzy and metallic and the chords spill over into the next chord. A friend suggested larger gauge strings. I tried that but no improvement. Any suggestions?
2006-12-31 10:14:01 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Sounds like the strings you put on are lighter gauge than the originals and the neck and top reacted. To figure out what has happened before you take it to the repair shop, do this:
1) Tune the guitar.
2) Fret the low E string at the first and last fret.
3) Look along the neck at the area between the fretted string and surface of the fret.
4) At the greatest distance between string and surface of the fret (should be about the 10th fret or so) there should be about 1/32"- about the thickness of a credit card.
If there is MORE than 1/32" then the truss rod (not a thrush rod as indicated earlier) needs to be tightened. If it is LESS than 1/32" or if there is NO space between string and fret then the truss rod needs to be loosened or you have to put on heavier strings. If the space is OK then it could be a structural problem and should be checked by a shop. Either way the adjustment must be done by a competent repairman.
One other thing that may have happened is that the saddle- the white piece mounted in the bridge- if it fell out as you were changing strings may be put in backwards or there may have been a small shim under the saddle that got lost.
2007-01-03 09:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by bikeworks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same guitar model FG-770S. I use ghs Acoustics Phosphor Bronze strings. They give a very good tone. I also have a Guitar book, it states that the neck should have some curve or bow. To check, hold in playing position. Use a steel rule on the fret at upper end where the neck joins the body. Sighting across the fingerboard measure the gap between the top of the endicated fret and the bottom of the string you are checking. First string 5/64 sixth string 3/32. Action height at the nut .020 from top of fret to bottom of all strings. If you can't get the right height you will have to work on the nut or the bridge and thrust rod. This is critical work, if you not good at this type of thing, take it to a shop and have them do the adjustments. I've had my Yamaha sense 1978 and have never had this peoblem. Altho I did have the first 5 frets replaced. Good luck and happy playing.
2006-12-31 10:59:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you switched gauge, you might need to adjust the truss rod, or get the guitar set up. Take a look down the length of the neck, and see if it is unevenly curved, or really curved in general. That might be the problem.
Also, new strings sound more metallic and brighter. This is just because they aren't all worn out and floppy, and full of hand oil. So that might be part of it.
I don't know what the hell you mean by "the chords spill over into the next chord."
My suggestion would be to take it to a repair shop and ask the guy if he thinks it needs a setup.
2006-12-31 10:22:21 · answer #3 · answered by tamesbadger 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to let someone look at this guitar. I hope you didn't take all of the strings off at once - the bridge could have fallen out of the saddle, for example. Anyway, I bought my Yamaha FG 180 in 1971 and it still sounds better than guitars costing thousands.
But, really, let someone look at it.
2006-12-31 10:24:04 · answer #4 · answered by gabluesmanxlt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take your guitar to a good shop and have the action adjusted.
It's normal. You're action is a little off and you got away with it with the other strings. I assume that you are in tune. Also all string brands have different tones and behaviors.
The action is basically the space between the strings and the fret board from top to bottom.
2006-12-31 10:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by OU812 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the string is buzzing on the frets. The action might be set too low....if that is the case, raise the action-it's better to have a professional do this. Otherwise you have the string off the mount on the bridge and it's vibrating against the steel. Move it into it's slot.
2016-03-29 02:21:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to take the guitar into a pro and have a setup. It usually runs about $50 and they can make an old guitar play perfect.
2006-12-31 11:31:24 · answer #7 · answered by Rebbew 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like your neck has warped.
2006-12-31 10:15:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I no this is stupid but you did tune it rite? if so then their ^ sugestions are best.
2006-12-31 10:21:24 · answer #9 · answered by way_cooler_than_him 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋