taping the strings

[Genius Gone Insane]

i remember reading here a while back that some guitar players tape their strings to keep them from ringing when recording. that's the reason this forum is so effing rad. :hotjump: ...i would have never even thought of that shit without you guys. shit like that just makes everything so much easier. I mean, how much easier is it to get a take tight if you don't have to worry about the strings ringing? thanks for saving me a lot of time. any other tricks are much appreciated.

 

[Benny H]

Well this is an obvious step from there, but if you're recording a solo without open string notes.. tape em all, or tie a sock gently around the first fret area. Some styles.. it might not seem worth it.. but if it's a lot of tapping.. this is a must.

 

[Nitronium Blood]

i remember reading here a while back that some guitar players tape their strings to keep them from ringing when recording. that's the reason this forum is so effing rad. :hotjump: ...i would have never even thought of that shit without you guys. shit like that just makes everything so much easier. I mean, how much easier is it to get a take tight if you don't have to worry about the strings ringing? thanks for saving me a lot of time. any other tricks are much appreciated.

Tape where?

I've seen pics of Marty Friedman when he would put some sort of cloth tightly around the strings at the headstock just above the first fret. Is this what you mean?

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

I put the tape on the three strings closest to the volume knob. I'll keep in mind the sock for solos when I get there. Thanks.

 

[Andy Sneap]

hair tie, duster, tape , all kinds of tricks. Tape round headstock, behind bridge, duster on trem springs etc.

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Can you comment on the purpose of 'tape round the headstock'?

 

[James Murphy]

tape can get rid of "ring" but can sometimes add a weird "buzz".. i like a sock (preferably a clean one ) or bandanna/handkercheif type thing. actually lately i've using a piece of quarter inch thick foam that was wrapped around one of my EMG's (wrapped around all EMG's actually when you buy them new, inside the box) that's cut to the same size as the entire first fret area where i secure it with a polish cloth that's held to the guitar with a velcro cable tie. i picked up this muting trick in the studio assisting Marty Friedman several years ago.

 

[Matt Crooks]

I've had excellent results with a sock tied around the first fret. For my string through-body guitars I but a piece of foam behind the bridge, inbetween the body and the strings to cut down the ring.

 

[DIOBOLIC5150]

I use a piece of 1/4" black foam material at the headstock and behind the bridge on my guitar. It even works good in my live rig because those ringing overtones sometimes cause unwanted feedback.

 

[Glenn Fricker]

tape can get rid of "ring" but can sometimes add a weird "buzz".. i like a sock (preferably a clean one)

Thanks for the tip James, I'll have to check that out.

I've used the tape trick for ages, mainly because I saw it in "Year and a half in the life of Metallica."

Foam is also great to stick between the strings on a guitar with a straight headstock & retaining clips (strat style). I nearly went out of my mind trying to track down a resonace while working on a project with that kind of guitar. Now I keep a small block of foam handy because you'll never know when you need it.

-0z-

 

[adrianvillan]

This Forum does kick ass!!! I just tried it for myself and it works great!! You guys fuckin shred! Mr sneap, Sir James, and all the rest of you technical wizards my deepest graditude for your generosity with knowledge. Hopefully in time I can contribute with viable information!
Cheers!!!

 

[BrandonS]

I used a sock before when I was recording a solo for my first song. It worked pretty well but I had to tie it very tight for some reason. Also it was dirty which was kind of annoying because I did a few takes of it to try to get the perfect solo.

On newer recordings I did not use a sock, and I have some feedback in my solo but I think it makes it sound cooler, sort of like a buildup.

I never taped my strings before, how does that work, what do I do?

 

[Fabbio]

I'm trying the EMG foam on the headstock and around the first fret. It's a clever idea.

Never thought of it before.

Not that I'm much clever anyway...

 

[Mark_Palangio]

I've seen pictures of Jim from Arsis using a hairtie up near the first fret/nut area of the guitar.

 

[Fabbio]

I've seen pictures of Jim from Arsis using a hairtie up near the first fret/nut area of the guitar.

Nah, that was only for the look.

(never heard of Arsis before... )

 

[Virgil.]

I use my guitar cleaning (microfiber) clothes as my "dampener". Sometimes i've done what James mentioned--putting foam custom (neck size) then attach it using wire ties.

Sometimes if i'm lazy I will just tie a bandana around the nut. Hahaha.