[EverDream]

Ok I've posted this problem before. The problem is my 7th string wants to decay in pitch (about 8 cents) after I strike it, REGARDLESS of how hard I strike it. Meanwhile all the other strings are fine.

Here's my setup at the moment. I have string gauges 9-12-16-24-34-46-62 on my guitar. I have it right now the guitar tuned down 1 half step (A# tuning) but I have the 6th string dropped to C# and the 7th string dropped to G#. so the tuning is G#C#G#C#F#A#D# (low to high). Ok so I did an open C# power chord on strings 4, 5, and 6. I did it as hard as I could and guess what... the chord was fine it never produced that beating sound (due to one of the strings dropping in pitch). keep in mind this is in a drop C# so the 6th string was substantianly looser than strings 4 and 5.

Ok now I do a 2 string G# power chord on strings 6 and 7 AS LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE. It starts out sounding good but then after about 1 or 2 seconds it starts to have that beating sound. I pluck the G# string alone now (lightly) and listen. I hear it drop in pitch, the drop is noticeable. I now do the C# string. It's solid, it doesn't drop in pitch at all.

So as you can see this has nothing to do with picking too hard on the lowest string, so please do not tell me that's my problem again because clearly it isn't. Also the angle of my attack doesn't matter either I tried different angles and it doesn't make any difference on my guitar.

Ok now my guitar is a Schecter C7 Blackjack, oh and btw I used Dunlop Gator Grip 1.14mm Pick. The scale length of the blackjack is 26.5 inches in case someone isn't aware (everyone probably knows this though).

Ok here's some info about modifications I've done. Back some years ago I used a .070 gauge string and tuned to G. The string fit through the tuner on my C7 fine, but it wasn't fitting into the nut slot too well, so I had to file it somehow, but I didn't have a file, so I used a small flathead screwdriver and I kind of just went back and forth and side to side with pressure to make the slot bigger. It worked. Keep in mind I did this to the other slots as well.

Ok and the way I string them up is by pulling the strings all the way through the tuning peg and then coming back another inch and a half, and then I do the lock twist, and I bring the slack around. If anyone has seen the video on youtube of a guitar show where there is a section called "Eric's Guitar" I've done basically the method he teaches exactly. The method is to have at least 2 or 3 winds around the peg.

But I have in the past also done the method D'addario video shows where you have like only 1 wind around the peg, and I still had this problem. I've given a lot of info, I'd be happy if someone could even just tell me that maybe I screwed up the 7th string nut slot and that's why I'm having my problem, at least I'd know what the problem is, but of course I want the truth also, lol.

Also the string brand and gauge makes no difference. The problem isn't with the strings. I get D'addario XL Nickel wound btw, I order them in singles from Juststrings.com.

Anyway, someone please tell me what the problem could be because I really can't stand this problem any longer, I can't do any sustaining power chords on the 7th string and that's really a problem for me. If no one can help me solve this problem I'm going to have to buy a new 7 string. Thanks ahead of time.

[Toshiro]

Sounds like you're stringing up okay, are you stretching the strings throughly so that you can pull on the low string and it doesn't go out?

[SHREDTOKILL]

yeah, its sounding like mabye you are not stretching the 7th out enough.
you really gonna pull on those fuckers to make em stay in tune, espesicaly in G

[EverDream]

Whenever I put new strings on I always do a technique where I do like a huge like 6 step bend on the string to stretch it. Also I've had the strings on for at least 2 to 3 months now and I still have this problem. Is there a certain way to stretch that's more efficient? I stretched this same way on the other strings and they are fine but maybe the 7th string needs a different approach? I'm open for suggestions. Thanks!

[Toshiro]

I usually pull up on the string gently from different parts of the neck, then retune, until it doesn't lower in pitch at all. Those huge strings like 60+ stretch a lot. I would at least give it a shot, before driving yourself nuts.

[SHREDTOKILL]

agreed.

[EverDream]

Ok I just spent the last 10-15 minutes stretching it and you won't believe it... it's gotten worse!! Now it drops about 15 cents from the initial pluck. And it does so it in like 1 or 2 seconds!! I have my tuner, and when I pluck the first 100 milliseconds it reads perfect G# dead on, and that only lasts for like half a second if not less, then the pitch drops very quickly. Something isn't right with this guitar because doing what you said made it worse, I might need a new guitar. I just wish I knew what I did wrong because it wasn't like this when I bought it (at least if memory serves me correct). Any more suggestions or should I start thinking about buying a new 7 string? Thanks!

UPDATE: Ok it's important for me to be as acurate as possible, and I have to revise some of my numbers. It stays on dead perfect for like maybe between 3 quarters of a second and a second, then it starts to go down. It goes down like 8 cents in the next 2 seconds. then the decay slows down but it still continues to go down to about 10 cents lower than it should after about a total of 6 seconds or so. Also what's weird is the first 100 ms it starts off like 3 cents flat but then it goes up 3 cents to dead on and then like I said around 1 second mark after pluck then it comes back down. It like goes up and then down, but it just goes up a little (and that happens so fast like only a fraction of a second) and then it comes way down more than it should. It was coming down 15 cents after I stretched but now since I've been typing here it's back to only 8-10. Very weird, I'm so confused.

[Toshiro]

Bad tuners? Sorry man, it's hard to tell what the problem is over the net.

I've seen tuners slip before, but never Grovers.

[EverDream]

Originally Posted by Toshiro

I've seen tuners slip before, but never Grovers.

It is an imperfect world, there's a first time for everything, even Grover. BUT.. I still don't know if that's it. It might be though. But I have an idea. I will make a .wav file of me picking the string and maybe someone who has a software tuner can play it through their tuner and then you can "see" (and hear!) what I'm talking about! It will be a totally dry direct signal. I'll have a link asap. So I'll be back.

UPDATE: Ok here is the link to the .wav file I made.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/...tchProblem.wav

Please right click and save target as to save it because otherwise windows might try to play it in your media player and if you have a slow connection it will not play smoothly. Also if you are running it through your sequencer you'll need the actual file anyway probably.

So please play this through your tuner, make sure your tuner can detect and work on lower notes (a chromatic tuner is best, I use chromatia tuner by fmj software). You'll see what I mean about it initially being dead on perfect but then quickly dropping in pitch. Please check it out and then tell me if you might have a better idea what's going wrong. Thanks!

[Toshiro]

Is this happening with brand new strings, or is it getting noticeable only now?

It's not really a "hearing" issue. I would take the thing to a tech and see if there's something mechanically wrong with the instrument.