Annoying Squeak (Squeal?) Emanating from Acoustic Archtop

[ptchristopher3]

Place a capo on the guitar on one of the early frets (1-3), and see if the issue still occurs when playing the high notes. It could be that the length of string between the nut and the fretted note is vibrating sympathetically at a harmonic of the intended pitch. Using a capo will change that length of string while keeping the fretted pitch the same, hence it can be used to rule this out.

This possibility is consistent with the stated symptom of vibrato being part of the equation.

If this turns out to be it (and it may not be) then a very small change to the neck relief or even nut slot height can solve this.

[FourOnSix]

Place a capo on the guitar on one of the early frets (1-3), and see if the issue still occurs when playing the high notes. It could be that the length of string between the nut and the fretted note is vibrating sympathetically at a harmonic of the intended pitch. Using a capo will change that length of string while keeping the fretted pitch the same, hence it can be used to rule this out.

Does the unwanted tone always have the same pitch, or is its pitch variable depending on the fretted note? Have you tried damping the back and/or the top near the bridge to see if you can quiet or silence it? That would help isolate if the instrument's intrinsic resonance is the culprit, vs. a string or fret issue.

Not using or owning a capo, would it produce the same effect if I tuned the offending E and G strings down, say one step? Or is it purely a matter of changing the scale length?

Yes, always the same pitch, and I have tried damping the top.

Thanks.

[rpguitar]

You don't even need a capo. Put a rubber band on the 1st position to damp the strings, then fret it up high.

[sgosnell]

Velcro also works. You don't even need both sides, just the loop side under the strings will damp them. I use a small piece on some guitars as a string damper, and it works fairly well.

[FourOnSix]

Velcro also works. You don't even need both sides, just the loop side under the strings will damp them. I use a small piece on some guitars as a string damper, and it works fairly well.

I used the nearest convenient thing. Tore off a piece of paper and wove it between the strings around the second fret. No effect. I guess it's on to Gryphon for the diagnosis and, hopefully, fix.

[sgosnell]

I'm not sure paper will do the job. If you roll it thick enough, maybe, but I'm still not convinced that it would work. But it's not at all certain that the problem is between the bridge and tailpiece, so getting a competent repair person to look at it isn't a bad idea.

[Papawooly]

FouronSix... Any results yet???

[FourOnSix]

Not yet. Planning on bringing it to Gryphon, as nothing I have tried has enabled me to isolate the problem. Haven't had time to make the 80 mile round trip. I'll keep you updated, though it may be a little while. Meanwhile, I'm loving the guitar in spite of it all.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I suppose it's more an issue of the time spent changing the strings. Strings seems to last a long time for me, and changing them is an event (usually accompanied by a few pierced fingertips).

Switch to roundwounds, the shorter life will make you an expert in string-changes mos' ricky-tick.