Problem with low B-string

[Tjp]

I got my new Chapman ML7-t today and it is pretty nice guitar. Neck feels good, awesome tone and sick sustain...

...BUT there is one problem: When I play open low B-string, note goes slightly sharp and then comes slowly to right pitch. Thanks to this low B-power chords are sounding like shit, all other notes from B-string are ok. Only that open B-string is causing problems. All other strings are also sounding great.

What could cause this? I have checked intonation, relief and tried different string height. Neck doesn't seem to be twisted. Any ideas? Should I send this guitar back?

I have also another seven stringed guitar. It has 25.5 scale and fixed bridge. It doesn't have this problem even if I tune it to dropped A.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

That's kinda the nature of strings. The harder you hit, the sharper the note. Try heavier strings or picking consistency.

 

[hayday24]

What pickups do you have in there?

 

[TraE]

Is it your first seven?

 

[Tjp]

That's kinda the nature of strings. The harder you hit, the sharper the note. Try heavier strings or picking consistency.

I know, but none of my other guitars goes sharp as much as this. What's the point having seven strings if 7th string sounds like crap when picked. Like I mentioned, I have second cheap seven string guitar with shorter scale and it sounds good when open B-string is played.

Pickups are stock pickups. They are called Custom Pro 7 Alnico. Surprisingly good sounding, but i'm probably going to change them to Aftermaths if I'm going to keep this guitar.

 

[Tjp]

Is it your first seven?

Second.

 

[BIG ND SWEATY]

get a thicker string. what is currently on it?

 

[Alex Kenivel]

If the strings were put on at the factory, then the bottom string probably isn't Thick enough. Happens all the time

 

[Seybsnilksz]

Or try a lighter pick.

 

[Tjp]

I don't know what gauge those stock strings are.

I tried to take .068 from my second guitar and put it to my ML-7 and now it sounds sounds good! Looks like it was just bad string. I need to buy some new strings tomorrow.

 

[wilch]

Like I mentioned, I have second cheap seven string guitar with shorter scale and it sounds good when open B-string is played.

Does the other 7 also have a reverse headstock with a significant length of string for the low B beftween the nut and the tuning peg?

I've found that I experience something similar with all other reverse headstock guitars, less with normal headstock (where the low strings don't have that much length after the nut). That extra length after the nut seems to do something to the tension and tuning for some reason.

I agree with the others, get a heavier low B string so it doesn't "Boooww" out (attack sharp then return) when plucked less than consistently.

 

[WarpedX1]

Definitely a string gauge issue, I would've thought that this would be a .58 on the 7th for standard B tuning, I'd got up to a .60-.62 and this should resolve the problem.

I had a similar sort of problem with one of my sixes. 24.75" scale length, tuned down to Eb standard with a drop C#. Whenever a hit the C# with any sort of normal picking force it would fluctuate pitch over the note duration. Beefed up that gauge string and problem solved.

Good luck with your new 7!

 

[TraE]

I'm guessing it has something to do with the nut since only your open note is being affected. Try changing strings and make sure the string is fitting properly in the nut, if not it may need to be filed. Unless you know what you're doing don't try this yourself. I'd try changing strings and see if the issue persists.

 

[bluffalo]

this irritates me too.

Scale length is the best solution i think. super thick strings just don't sound as good, and they don't always get rid of the problem.

I can't play my les paul in standard e tuning with 10-52's because i hate the e string sounding sharp when you just want a power chord.

 

[Tjp]

I don't know what gauge those stock strings are.

I tried to take .068 from my second guitar and put it to my ML-7 and now it sounds sounds good! Looks like it was just bad string. I need to buy some new strings tomorrow.

Problem is still there. I tuned my B-string by ear when I tested that .068 string and sounded good. Today I bought new string set and used tuner when I changed those strings. Now B-string sounds like it's out of tune again when I play power chords. According to tuner it should be tuned correctly.

However, I found out that when I downtune that low B-string about 25-35 cents it sounds good when all other strings are tuned like normally. Any ideas what can cause this?

 

[All_¥our_Bass]

^You need to fix the intonation.

 

[Jonathan20022]

Happens on all my 7's I stopped playing them for awhile because of this but now I just deal with it by tuning the low string slightly flat by a few cents like you said, short of using an insanely thick string that'd be the only way to get it sounding perfect in my experience.

 

[Tjp]

^You need to fix the intonation.

I have checked intonation and it's ok.

 

[Jonathan20022]

Intonation isn't the problem, the string will fluctuate regardless of the intonation being correct or wrong. It's just an inherent problem with using low strings on ERG's. I know exactly the problem you're taking about. It's easier on floating trems because the spring tension kind of acts against it doing this so it's a sort of remedy on trem guitars. But on Hardtails it's much harder to fix.

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

Heavier string is a must. I like a 62 or 64 for B