Hard Down Strumming

[Peter Vilardi]

 

I have a Martin 000-28EC and have been having one heck of a time controlling 6-4 (EAD) from clashing. I have a moderately heavy downstum and the OPEN strings clash.

It is not a nice sound compliment to a melody (Boiiinggg) and  trying to lighten up my strumming technique is tougher than ever. I am currently using Martin 4100 light strings and have adjusted everything to spec. (The action is 7/64 at F12 and neck relief is .010 at F6).  I have ruled out string to string clashing since the spacing between strings is optimal and feel that the culprit is the open strings are bouncing off the high end frets on a quick, moderately heavy downstrum.

 

I realize that my playing style is a factor here and my intention is to find a good compromise.

I have played other quality acoustics just to compare and the results can be hit or miss however I generally find the playability of a quality guitars with a good set up does eliminate the problem.

 

Any suggestions?????

 

Thanks,

Pete

[Tim Mace]

Heavy strumming & lt.gauge aren't a good mix anyway but if you suspect upper fret interference take 'em down
or reset neck ...suggestions only.I do feel you get better tone with a lighter stroke. Up or down....relax your technique.

[FRANK]

RAISE YOUR ACTION ILL BET THEY ARE HITTING FRETS INSTEAD OF THE STRINGS CLASH

[Pierre-Antoine Roiron]

From what you say, I'd suspect a too low nut or too straight neck.

[Rick Gentry]

Hello Pete.

I would suggest that you change your pick, your strings or both. A few years ago I did, and today I used 11g- 53g strings on everything, (except for the 12 string acoustic) and a Clayton .63mm thick pick, and have never felt more comfortable playing.

The repetitive strum/ pick stroke is like a golf swing. There are a myriad of factors that culminate in that micro-second moment of inertia of string striking, and the sooner we figure out the right combination of string/ pick gauges, instrument set up, and style factors the sooner we don't need to worry about that stuff and we can start rocking. We tend to think of music being all creative and spontaneous all the time, but if a guy can figure out his best combination of materials and attack, everything comes easier.

Take a look at your technique also. If you work out, or have huge hands or forearms, you have a naturally stronger attack, so it follows that light gauge strings and picks would be wasted effort. A too thick pick with heavy strings is also wrong, because you cannot rightly follow through with your stroke without encountering unnecessary resistance. A tiny little "jazz" pick may be too small, and those huge triangle picks are cool looking, but seem unwieldy.

All of this also makes shopping easier, since you can then buy your strings by the case, and the variable distractions that come with plectrum decision making are eliminated.

Good luck.

[Ned Knepp]

I too figured out that I need to use lighter strings and a heaver pick. I used to use thin picks and found that I flailed away with them. Now that I've got the pick choice straightened out, I almost never actually touch the pick guard yet my playing is much stronger. I don't over drive the strings because I have better feel for the strings through the pick.

I once loaned my D-18 to another player. The instant I saw him play, I realized my mistake. When I got the guitar back, an hour later, it had long scratches well below the pick guard, some of which actually chipped away the finish. He didn't use his wrist much at all but did everything from the elbow. In my opinion, a stronger attack will only increase the volume a bit before the guitar starts to sound worse. If it's not loud enough, it's time for an amp.

Ned

[Peter Vilardi]

Hey Rick,

Although I have to thank everyone who offered support but I think I am going to try your advice first.
My relentless effort to set everything back to OEM spec has my 000-28ECB sounding as good as it is probably ever going to sound and over tweeking has seemingly become counterproductive.

Martin OEM setup uses MSP4100 Phospher Bronze strings which may be just a little to soft for my playing style. Since the OEM suggested a string range is light to light/medium I figure I am going to try a set of light/medium or medium strings first. They may bounce a little less and hopefully will be just what the doctor ordered.

What I don't want to do is start making major adjustments before I rule out the simple ones. This way I will not end up making a giant mistake.

Thanks,
Pete

[Jeff Highland]

Guys, he even put it in Capitals, It's the Open strings, Like Pierre said probably a nut that's too low

[Ned Knepp]

I won't argue that, Jeff, I don't have the guitar here to look at and it could be low strings but Peter brought up his heavy attack and I can easily induce this problem on my guitar with attack. It seems to me that open strings are more likely to do this with a heavy attack. I think it has to do with the longer wavelength of the string There's more movement of the strings between node points. I'm no physicist but it seems this way to me. Why not look at everything.

Ned

[Frank Ford]

Nothing is more important to a stringed instrument's tone than technique.

If you need to work on technique, just do it - - you CAN.

If your downstroke looks like this, with the pick angled, you'll always have buzzing problems:

Read more:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenSetup/InYourHands/inhan...


And, READ THIS, if you'd like to get a feeling for how a real pro works on and analyzes technique:

http://www.tuckandpatti.com/pick-finger_tech.html



Cheers,

Frank