She just don't squeal like she used to...

doc-phil

I've noticed recently that my epi les paul special is really battling to give me decent pinched harmonics. The guitar is about 6 years old and has been used extensively, but still is in mint condition. Why is it that I can't get decent squeals anymore... I mean I'm no Zakk Wylde, but I can pull off a decent one every now and then. It seems that as my guitar has aged, it is giving me less and less sustain. Is this a problem with guitars in general or just the entry-level guitars like mine?

Even when playing leads I notice that notes high up on the fretboard no longer ring out as they used to.. Is there any kinda fix for this? I thought guitars were meant to improve with age!

Reinhard

How much life do your frets have left? Are you using a different amp? Maybe using less gain? Dead strings? Different strings? I guess it could be anything.

Gearhead

Interested to find out the answer to this one. BTW I would have to overcome some shame to start a topic with this kind of title... It's okay to share, but there's a limit you know.... ?

AlanRatcliffe

Reinhard wrote: How much life do your frets have left? Are you using a different amp? Maybe using less gain? Dead strings? Different strings? I guess it could be anything.

+1. I've never run across a guitar changing like that before. The Asian guitars tend to stay pretty much the same for years before you notice any ageing (poly finishes, epoxy glues, etc.). I'd check things like pot and pickup values, make sure there isn't something drifting out of spec there. Have you noticed a change in it acoustically?

doc-phil

I haven't changed any of my equipment, and I always use Ernie Balls beefy slinkys or not even slinkys, and I change them about every 2 - 3 months. I also haven't noticed any changes accoustically. Could it not be that the stock standard epiphone pickups are getting a bit tired? One thing that does come to mind is that I use the noise suppresor on my multieffects pedal on max to cut out all the buzzing. Perhaps that is killing certain frequencies or something like that?

IceCreamMan

Have your ears checked ?

sorry

WantzChas

doc-phil wrote: Could it not be that the stock standard epiphone pickups are getting a bit tired?

I was wondering the same thing. Can pickups get a bit tired?

My Ibi was made in '91 and the stock pickups still sounds good, don't know what they used to sound like though.

AlanRatcliffe

doc-phil wrote: I always use Ernie Balls beefy slinkys or not even slinkys, and I change them about every 2 - 3 months. I also haven't noticed any changes accoustically.

And where are you in that cycle now? I'm a harmonic nut and change my strings every 3 - 4 weeks as any older than that and they start losing too much brightness and tension (and yes, harmonics are affected by both).

Could it not be that the stock standard epiphone pickups are getting a bit tired?

Unlikely. It takes a looong time or a powerful magnetic field for magnets to degauss.

One thing that does come to mind is that I use the noise suppresor on my multieffects pedal on max to cut out all the buzzing.

If you've got it set high, then it won't help as harmonics are usually quieter than normal notes. Added to dull strings it will affect harmonics.

Rob-dos

does it not do it when its played clean?

Jack-Flash-Jr

It's probably the strings... every 2-3 months? If you play regularly the zing will go in 4 weeks...

doc-phil

I changed strings about a month ago.. I can't afford to shell out R75 a month for strings ? playing natural harmonics is fine, those sound good. I never really play pinched harmonics clean so I couldn't say much about that.

So either its poor technique, bad strings or just my imagination! ?

BMU

Have you turned off the noise gate to check? Most likely explanation.

Renesongs

IMO the noise suppressor would be your culprit here. I have had problems with boss noise gates and frequency filters eating my harmonics (both pinched and honestly paid for). I think they are trained to kill certain high frequencies at low volume. As a Strat player harmonics are a precious commodity as single coils dont seem to pick them up as well as buckers hence my favorite metal position on the strat is mid and bridge acting as a bucker and no noise filters or limiters.

doc-phil

O ok, well I've fiddled around with the noise suppressor and it is slightly improved when its off or low, but I can't live with that terrible buzzing that my amp gives me. Harmonics below the 12th fret are fine, but anything above that and the notes are killed almost as soon as I play them. Sucks for solos.