Ok here's my problem, my acoustic Big Baby Taylor which has new strings on it (but this problem was happening with the old strings to) and stays in tune great has a problem with the B string first fret. Anytime i play a chord that uses that position (C, Am ect ) and pick each string individual everything is perfect but as soon as i start strumming i get this (to me anyway) annoying sound from that string like it's not ringing out right, almost like a rattle. I've tried other chords that use the B string on the second or third fret (Dm, A) and everything is fine. I've been playing for a couple months and this is really driving me nuts, any help would be appreciated.
Music is my religion--Jimi Hendrix
three things come to mind that could cause that string to sound that way:
technique
improper nut slot
wrong string size
If its sounds ok when you play it on its own its unlikely to be anything wrong with guitar.Especially since you got a decent guitar.If you've not been playing long then its more than likely technique.That particular string and fret hurts your finger more than any other because you have to press harder at the first fret.Since most people don't like unessesary pain they tend to avoid pressing the string down as much as they should.It should stop hurting after a few years!
Cheers
Bob
My Band: http://www.myspace.com/thelanterns2010
playing whilst drunk is only permitted if all band members are in a similar state!
If it only happens on the first fret, it's also possible the first fret is low. If that's the case, when you fret the string there, the string will hit the second fret as it vibrates.
This happens over time as frets wear - you can usually get them 'dressed' (filed down slightly) once or twice; after that they'll need replacement.
It also happens if a guitar wasn't finished right - I recently saw a brand new brand-name (not Taylor) at one of the stores I teach that has this problem... whoever filed the end of the fret to bevel it got a little carried away, and the QC department didn't catch it.
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