Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on December 15, 2016 at 1:34pm

First thought would be a poorly fit nut slot for the B string. Nut slots should cradle the string. If too deep and not equal in width to the string gauge, twang can happen. It can also happen while visiting a honky-tonk.

Or it could simply be not enough break angle/string pressure over the nut from the tuner for that string.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JL on December 16, 2016 at 12:38am

Easy test, does the Twang go away when you finger the first fret of that cursed B string? then you have a nut slot issue....

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abby Grace on December 18, 2016 at 8:13pm

yes it does, and when I have the capo on it goes away too...

Thank you... 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abby Grace on December 18, 2016 at 8:12pm

awesomeness lol.... thank you...  how did you know I was at a honky tonk lol

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on December 15, 2016 at 4:57pm

Agree with Scott. You should be able, through careful listening to isolate which part of the guitar is vibrating on the B.

Some diagnostics to try:

1) Push the B laterally (sideways, not up and down) very slowly and carefully; see if you feel it "catch" or bind. Check both the nut and bridge; if it does this, it'll be one or the other.

2) Take tension off of all the strings, enough so that you can get them all out of their various nut slots. Look to see if the slots are U-shaped, or deep V-shaped. If deeply Vee'd, see if the B string slot has a very slight notch in the V. What is your nut made from? Plastic nuts often have this problem, due to downward stress on a poorly shaped nut slot, and / or being in a very dry environment. I had one that literally cracked into 4 separate pieces. If the B string nut slot is U-shaped, check to see that it is not wider than the string itself. Ideally, a string should ride half the string diameter in the slot; otherwise, it can bind on the corners of the slot producing the twang. In either case, a new nut would be indicated. I have also had this problem with bolt nuts, where the groove between the screw pitch is too wide, so the string, even under tension, slides fractionally between the screw when playing, and causes a twang at the contact between string and screw. My solution to that situation was to find a bolt with a high screw pitch (the distance between the wormy, screwy, "high" parts of the screw, not the grooves between them).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on December 15, 2016 at 9:01pm

I don't know how your CBG looks like, but if it is similar to this one on the photo there is a further possible source of unwanted twang:

There is low action, a low bridge near the center of the box and strings that are bent only in a very small angle over the bridge: this can cause the upper part of the strings to vibrate, typically you will notice this problem hitting the treble string. The remedy in this case: weave a piece of [textile] string into the strings to dampen their vibrations:

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on December 15, 2016 at 11:54pm

That's a new one for me Moritz, but it is blindingly obvious once pointed out, thanks

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on December 18, 2016 at 5:37am

I thought you'd stuck a dead bird in there

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Papa D on December 18, 2016 at 11:44am

Common Causes..Check nut and bridge Cutt, String height,  frets not level,

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abby Grace on December 18, 2016 at 8:19pm

Wow, lots of great advice, thanks so much to all...

My nut is made from elk antler and the bridge is a piece of copper pipe cut in half.  

Will give solutions a try and let you know what I find.   Once again, much appreciated :-)  

• ▶ Reply