Muting unwanted resonances from the ‘Headstock Harp’

jaymenon · October 2020

I used to apply a scrunchie across the strings on the headstock side of the nut with a view to avoiding unwonted resonances and strings ringing, even after being muted.

Then I acquired one of these foam devices, (oddly with an electric guitar that I purchased), that does the job and looks a lot more elegant.

I have no idea what this is called or where I can get some more of these. Can someone help please?

https://i.imgur.com/AmhFwvy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Ow81LyY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iCPzdvn.jpg

And here’s the rest of the guitar..

https://i.imgur.com/BNMVMbw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2l8Vm4E.jpg

digitalkettle · October 2020

Watching with interest.

I always use a scrunchie: added benefit is being able to pull it over the nut for extra muting help when doing some tricky recording

ICBM · October 2020

That's actually intended as a pick holder. You can get them on Amazon or Ebay, they're about a pound each.

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51N7tQNd6BL._AC_.jpg

jaymenon · October 2020

Thanks John :-)

jaymenon · October 2020

I don't think I want Alice's name on my headstock - but this is a good buy. 10 for £3.33

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wedgie-Bass-Guitar-Headstock-Pick-Holder-Rubber-Pick-Headstock-Guitar-Pick-H-ti/202991966822?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=503180511176&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Keefy · October 2020

This has been a problem to me on some Teles, particularly with the G string. My solution is to pop a rubber grommet between the G and D strings above the nut. I do the same thing with the 3 pairs of strings between the bridge and Bigsby on my Gretsch.

EreforGuitarGear · October 2020

Isn’t there something called the string butler that might have a similar effect? It’s usually for improving the angle of strings behind the nut if I remember correctly.

Keefy · October 2020

EreforGuitarGear said:

Isn’t there something called the string butler that might have a similar effect? It’s usually for improving the angle of strings behind the nut if I remember correctly.

Yes there is.

Consider these two objects:

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71wWsdZAOEL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

Image: https://i.redd.it/2snnhy5nzke41.png

jaymenon · October 2020

I think the string butler is designed for Les Paul type 3+3 headstocks where the strings bend not only downwards but also outwards at the nut towards the tuning posts, this is particularly severe on the middle two strings (the third and the fourth). The splay’ of the strings is quite evident even on a cursory look at the headstock.

The String Butler is supposed to convert all six strings into passing along straight lines across the headstock.

Somehow I’m not convinced because on each string if you look at it from a certain angle the string looks like a straight line. If the nut slot is oriented taking that angle into consideration and parallel to it, I think there shouldn’t be any extra friction involved with a 3+3 headstock...

merlin · October 2020

jaymenon said:

I don't think I want Alice's name on my headstock - but this is a good buy. 10 for £3.33

And there's another perfect use for the trusted gaffer tape. Or sandpaper if you're out of gaffer......

EreforGuitarGear · November 2020

Keefy said:

EreforGuitarGear said:

Isn’t there something called the string butler that might have a similar effect? It’s usually for improving the angle of strings behind the nut if I remember correctly.

Yes there is.

Consider these two objects:

That is also true

bbill335 · November 2020

i had this on an acoustic with very tall tuning pegs. i think they had reused slotted headstock tuners that stood proud of the headstock surface.

anyway, changed to klusons and it's all good.

digitalkettle · November 2020

The only time I really notice any headstock resonance, is at volume with quite a bit of gain...a percussive whack of the strings and you can hear some high pitched overtones. I don't like the sound of ringing springs either but I find that more annoying when playing unplugged #justaweirdo

jaymenon · November 2020

It can be a real nuisance on an acoustic guitar though...

digitalkettle · November 2020

jaymenon said:

It can be a real nuisance on an acoustic guitar though...

I do have my acoustics muted too...just in case

ICBM · November 2020

jaymenon said:

I think the string butler is designed for Les Paul type 3+3 headstocks where the strings bend not only downwards but also outwards at the nut towards the tuning posts, this is particularly severe on the middle two strings (the third and the fourth). The splay’ of the strings is quite evident even on a cursory look at the headstock.

The String Butler is supposed to convert all six strings into passing along straight lines across the headstock.

Somehow I’m not convinced because on each string if you look at it from a certain angle the string looks like a straight line. If the nut slot is oriented taking that angle into consideration and parallel to it, I think there shouldn’t be any extra friction involved with a 3+3 headstock...

Even if you do, the angle those strings pass through is still much larger than for the other strings, and in order to align the groove like that it's going to give a greater length of contact (because of the shape of the top of the nut) and so cause more friction. It's very difficult to avoid that unfortunately.

That said the String Butler is a horribly ugly, over-complex solution which causes other problems including adding mass, which is not necessarily a good thing. From the only one I've come across actually fitted to a guitar it doesn't even fix the problem anyway - proper cutting of the grooves and lubrication is still more effective.

Keefy · November 2020

ICBM said:

jaymenon said:

I think the string butler is designed for Les Paul type 3+3 headstocks where the strings bend not only downwards but also outwards at the nut towards the tuning posts, this is particularly severe on the middle two strings (the third and the fourth). The splay’ of the strings is quite evident even on a cursory look at the headstock.

The String Butler is supposed to convert all six strings into passing along straight lines across the headstock.

Somehow I’m not convinced because on each string if you look at it from a certain angle the string looks like a straight line. If the nut slot is oriented taking that angle into consideration and parallel to it, I think there shouldn’t be any extra friction involved with a 3+3 headstock...

Even if you do, the angle those strings pass through is still much larger than for the other strings, and in order to align the groove like that it's going to give a greater length of contact (because of the shape of the top of the nut) and so cause more friction. It's very difficult to avoid that unfortunately.

That said the String Butler is a horribly ugly, over-complex solution which causes other problems including adding mass, which is not necessarily a good thing. From the only one I've come across actually fitted to a guitar it doesn't even fix the problem anyway - proper cutting of the grooves and lubrication is still more effective.

I have a Les Paul Standard which has no tuning problems. A friend has a Les Paul Standard with a String Butler and he has constant tuning problems.

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Muting unwanted resonances from the ‘Headstock Harp’

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