Official Luthiers Forum!

What causes that "dead" sound? Let's just assume that nut action, bridge action, neck straightness, neck pitch & fret level are all sufficient. The sound happens only when the string is played open.

I get this from time to time and I end up just messing around with sandpaper, files, razor blades, etc. until it goes away but I'm not sure why it happens. It seems to only happen on the treble strings. Particularly the high "E".

_________________
"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

Not proper relief in the nut slot? Could be more flat than necessary. Causing it to be muted. You need the string to "break" over the front of the nut.

Your nut slot is most likely lower at the front than at the back. The string floats through the slot and that deadens the vibrations.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

^^ that's what I was trying to say^^

Boy am I bad at forming thoughts into sentences.

I generally do file flat to get the basic height and then angle the file at the approximate angle of the string. I will have to start checking to make sure it's not sitting on a hump in the middle of the slot.

Any other thoughts?

How about if it still sounds dead when fretted? This is again assuming adequate string clearance.

_________________
"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

Then I would assume it is the same issue, this time on the saddle rather than the nut.

I always start with the cheapest thing on the instrument - that's strings.
We are talking a few cents worth of steel and brass.
Change the string, and then decide where to go next.

Do a once over of the whole instrument, then start at the peghead and work to the butt of the guitar.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

+1 on Old strings

_________________
wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I'm working with new strings in most cases. This sort of thing is tough to figure out because its so microscopic.

_________________
"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

New strings can sound like crap right outta the package.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I never file at a flat (zero) angle. Always split the difference between flat and the headstock angle. This makes sure there is sufficient contact at the front edge of the nut.