New Epiphone Broadway Harmonic Mud

**VanEpsInDeChirico** · 12-10-2021, 10:01 AM

Hi All,

Bought a new Epiphone Broadway and it arrived today. Have been playing it for a little while and I've noticed very audible, unpleasant harmonics when playing more than a single string, especially on the bassier 3 strings. I'd read about harmonics being a problem with Frequensator tailpieces but I'm not sure that's the issue. I tied a piece of fabric through the strings at the tailpiece to see if it would have any effect but it doesn't reduce the problem at all. This is only noticeable when played acoustically. Plugged in it sounds great.

I've never owned a hollow body guitar before, nor a guitar with a wooden bridge. So not sure if harmonics, to some extent, are par for the course on these sorts of guitars or if I have a problem somewhere. Perhaps it has to do with needing to adjust to a somewhat less aggressive picking style? I'm used to really having to pick with a lot of force to hear my solid body electrics unplugged. Any hints appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!

**mr. beaumont** · 12-10-2021, 10:06 AM

I don't think you can count on a laminate body, dual set pickup guitar to ever sound that great acoustically. A quick phone recording would give folks a better idea as to what you are hearing, but there are a lot of things on that guitar that could be vibrating and giving you "weirdness," pickguard, two pickups, two pickup rings, that frequensator, etc...

**Gitterbug** · 12-10-2021, 10:09 AM

Sometimes this comes from vibrating PUs. Try taping them into place and if that helps, then some padding between the PU and the frame is needed. If to no avail, could be anything from the pickguard to a loose brace under the top. Whatever, not acceptable. I've had a Frequensator-equipped Emperor Regent for 22 years, stupid design but never a problem. Didn't know that new Broadways are available.

**VanEpsInDeChirico** · 12-10-2021, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

Didn't know that new Broadways are available.

Pretty sure I found the very last one in stock at any music store in the EU.

**VanEpsInDeChirico** · 12-10-2021, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

there are a lot of things on that guitar that could be vibrating and giving you "weirdness,"

Yes, I'm looking on other forums now, trying to find threads on similar problems. Seems quite common to be perpetually hunting down the cause of tone problems on these things and as you say, the possible causes are innumerable.

**citizenk74** · 12-10-2021, 01:28 PM

Chasing down the myriad rattles and buzzes of a brand-new archtop is part of the initiation or hazing ritual we all go through. My suggestion, FWIW, is that you do what you can with the bits you can see. I keep a supply of various materials for damping purposes - cork, leather, rubber, etc. If your visible parts are not the problem, you might consider, at your first string change,* replacing the mounting springs with surgical rubber tubing, available at, for instance, Stewart-Macdonald, for small money. I'm gradually doing that with all my electric guitars, let alone the extra-problematic archtops.

Take comfort in the fact we all go through this. Persevere!

* Also a good time, should you so choose, to change your pickups.**

** Something I usually pay someone more competent than myself to do.