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Hi all

I have a Martin 000 that has what I would describe as a metallic sound. Its sort of fuzzy sounding lacking clarity when you strum chords. I have tried 3 sets of strings one set (martin retros) seemed to help some. Anyone know what tends to create this type of tone on a guitar.

On maybe a related note (or maybe not) Why does the guitar tone change when plucked close to the bridge as oppose to further up the guitar (like top of the sound hole). I ask because I wonder if the two may have the similar causes?

Thanks

Kevin

When I have run into that sitar / zingy metallic sound on open strings, the problem was usually at the nut.

Strings binding in the slot (perhaps due to a change of string gauge),or not enough clearance in the slot (so the string has more than one point of contact).

Is it just on open notes, or is it still present as you play up the neck, or capo'd?

Depending on where you pluck the string you can accentuate either the odd or even numbered harmonics or partials, which reversing even for odd are also known as overtones. This will effect the way we perceive the timbre of the sound. To further muddify things:
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-harmonics.htm

if it has a zitarish sound you have an air gap under your strings , this back vibrates and creates that odd sound. This can be under or on the side. if it goes away when fretting you may have a nut issue if not it may be at the saddle. I would recommend you take it in for a set up
but first loosen the string and make sure there is no debris in the slot

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Kevin where are you located, State, country? How old is the guitar?

Thanks

Thanks for the replies everyone. Ill check the nut and saddle. I have not capo it yet but I will. The sound does seems to remain when I make chords though.
I am in south Mississippi so warm and humid but not terribly bad so far - until today. The Guitar is new. I have had it only a few weeks.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. A new guitar will move (the wood especially the neck) all over the place and you are now in high humidity which likely has the neck in some back bow or without enough relief.

If you do not hear the sitar sound when fretting notes but you do hear it on open notes that would be the nut even though the sound seems like it is coming from the bridge. The bridge is simply in the center of the acoustic amplifier of a guitar the box so it sounds like the box.

But that's not your problem and when I say the nut that would be a nut slot too low which is rare on a new guitar that is rarely set-up well.

Sight down the treble or bass or both sides of the neck. You should see a very slight forward bow, very slight and not flat or back bow. Measure the distance from the strings to the top of the 12th fret too, bottom of the strings to top of the 12th fret when it's tuned to pitch. Your Martin with 12's on it should be about 4/64th" for the high e and 5.5/64th" for the low e at the 12th. With 13's 4.5 and 6.5 would be more like it.

It likely just needs a set-up and if you changed strings since you bought including the gauge of strings this can explain the changes too.

I'm a Martin certified repair center so I service more Martins than anything else and they are great guitars but they do have to acclimate to your climate and then be set-up for what normal is where you are. My suggestion, and we do not do shipped in work is to take it to a Martin authorized repair person and have a set-up.