harsh sounding 2nd string

[mazeltov39]

hi, forum members, have recently bought the Ibanez Wholetone Jazz amp, and in the last few days have been getting a "strident" sort of harsh sound when I play the 2nd "B" string ,the strings are D'Adarrio Chromes Ribbon wound Medium guage range 12 to 56's(2nd is .016 guage),just a single metal thread, they are about 6 weeks old now,any ideas ,Hope it is'nt the Amp,!! is that possible?? or is it a rogue string??? am buying some Thomastiks,similar guage tomorrow and changing them,What do you think ?? Cheers

[arckauss]

Is the sound also strident when you play a fretted note ?

If not, the nut may be spoiled.
Anyway, try to replace the incriminated string, you'll know for sure.

[stevedenver]

first, different string makers and gauges will have a different response, and so can certain string materials, eg steel versus nickle


try this-its entirely reversible and may be just what you need

make a note of where the slothead screw for the pole on the b string pick up-so you can dial back to where it currently is-ie 1 oclock etc

then

try quarter turns DOWN, into the pick up (count each quarter turn on paper-listen each turn before resuming) -to reduce output of the b string-listen until it sounds about as loud as the g and the high e -or even a tiny bit less
screwing DOWN into the pup reduces magnetic signal input, screwing the pole piece UP will increase signal -likewise with raising or lowering the entire pick up -and it really does make a difference-the key is to make a note of where everything is and what you do-so you can return to 'normal'

this is a real ear thing-and it often just takes a 1/4 or 1/2 turn to sweeten things up and balance output among the strings

-it may take away the harshness

b strings tend to have a bit more magnetic output per size than the others and this can be the result

[blackcat]

And I thought that I was the only one. Have not tackled Ibanez about this yet - difficult to describe, but you (mazeltov39) sum it up perfectly with 'harsh' and strident sound on the 2nd (B) string. Not an issue with nut or strings I'm pretty certain' although I can well see why people suggest this. I use the amp with my Peerless Monarch and Renaissance Custom and both are fitted with Thomastick flatwounds and neither guitar exhibits the problem when played with my Cube 60 amp. It is just about possible to dial out the problem but irritating nonetheless. Interesting that there are no nut issues, strings are in good condition and that the Monarch has a generic KA mini-humbucker and the Renaissance a Benedetto A6 ( Seymour Duncan ) humbucker ie the strings and nut are a constant but the pickups differ and yet the problem occurs with both. Would be grateful for other ideas. Thanks in advance.

[blackcat]

Stevedenver............

Took your advice and it seems to have worked so thanks for that! Can't think why it has not bothered me before now ( I thought I had adjusted the pole pieces on both guitars when new some 3 years ago ) and it only became apparent with the Wholetone Amp. Not apparent with the Cube 60 so maybe there IS something about the response of the W'tone after all as opposed to the Cube 60? Either way, thanks again.

[stevedenver]

doood!