Strange Harmonic
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:31 am
Hi Guys,
I've run into a zebra that I can't figure out. I replaced the top on the classical. When I fret (any fret), the 4th and 5th strings, I get a strange harmonic. It's not fret buzz, it's definitely a harmonic. This harmonic only happens when I fret the string halfway between the frets; it's not there when the strings are open. This harmonic disappears as I fret more toward the fret, although on the 5th string, I can still detect a tiny bit. This harmonic isn't there when the strings are open. It doesn't happen with any other string, and it's never happened on any other guitar. It happens on every fret, but it diminishes as I reach 12th fret and beyond (that could be because the distance between the frets are less, meaning I'm fretting closer to the fret).
Yes, I know I should be fretting next to the fret, but I've never encountered this problem before. This is what I've checked:
1. It's not the nut
2. Action height is great; relief is good
3. Intonation is spot on, on every string, every fret and at 12th
4. Harmonics at 12th are spot on
5. Not a buzz, it's definitely a harmonic
6. No sympathetic vibration of another string
7. No loose braces
8. Bridge is very secure
9. Nut and saddle are squarely seated
10. I've checked and checked, there is no high fret; the frets are rounded and polished.
11. Neck relief is good
I thought maybe there was a high fret that was so slight that I couldn't find it with the fret rocker, but making a buzz that sounded like a harmonic, but that is definitely not the problem.
Has anyone encountered a problem like this, or does anyone have a suggestion on something that I've not checked? I find it weird that it's only on these 2 strings. If it was the weight of the strings, I would think it would also affect 6th.
I've run into a zebra that I can't figure out. I replaced the top on the classical. When I fret (any fret), the 4th and 5th strings, I get a strange harmonic. It's not fret buzz, it's definitely a harmonic. This harmonic only happens when I fret the string halfway between the frets; it's not there when the strings are open. This harmonic disappears as I fret more toward the fret, although on the 5th string, I can still detect a tiny bit. This harmonic isn't there when the strings are open. It doesn't happen with any other string, and it's never happened on any other guitar. It happens on every fret, but it diminishes as I reach 12th fret and beyond (that could be because the distance between the frets are less, meaning I'm fretting closer to the fret).
Yes, I know I should be fretting next to the fret, but I've never encountered this problem before. This is what I've checked:
1. It's not the nut
2. Action height is great; relief is good
3. Intonation is spot on, on every string, every fret and at 12th
4. Harmonics at 12th are spot on
5. Not a buzz, it's definitely a harmonic
6. No sympathetic vibration of another string
7. No loose braces
8. Bridge is very secure
9. Nut and saddle are squarely seated
10. I've checked and checked, there is no high fret; the frets are rounded and polished.
11. Neck relief is good
I thought maybe there was a high fret that was so slight that I couldn't find it with the fret rocker, but making a buzz that sounded like a harmonic, but that is definitely not the problem.
Has anyone encountered a problem like this, or does anyone have a suggestion on something that I've not checked? I find it weird that it's only on these 2 strings. If it was the weight of the strings, I would think it would also affect 6th.