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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2018 20:01:37 GMT
I am currently borrowing two guitars- one is an OM, 640 scale, solid headstock, 14 fret body join. The other is a mini jumbo with 660 scale length, slot head and 12 fret body join. For the purposes of my experiment I do not believe that body woods are remotely important. Now here is my conundrum- harmonics on the OM ring out crystal clear. It doesn’t matter which harmonics I produce, they all sound solid and bell like, and I can pluck them with my thumb and my fingers. However, on the 12 fretter , harmonics at frets 4 and 9 (they produce the same note) are extremely difficult to produce. In fact, I can only produce them with my fingers, not with my thumb- bizarre I know. Even then, they are very quiet. Now, I know what Keith would say- simply don’t play harmonics However, I want to know why one guitar is better at harmonics than the other. It would inform my decision as to what guitar I should be saving up to buy. So if anyone has remotely the same style of guitars, do you have the same issues? I am wondering if it’s a problem with 12 fret guitars in general. Or maybe it has something to do with the scale length? Is it to do with the slotted headstock? Of course I bet I wouldn’t have this problem with a V class Taylor (mind you neither would I have the phenomenal tone) 😉 If I could somehow marry the tone of both guitars I would have my perfect guitar. The 12 fretter is very Sobel like- dark, fat tone, incredible bass and sustain. The OM though as the clarity, the balance across the entire neck, and of course has two extra frets!! Cheers, Robbie
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Post by oustudent on Aug 14, 2018 20:26:16 GMT
Only guessing, but the intonation could be slightly out on the 12 fretter which is making harmonics difficult. And 4 and 9, does that normally work? I have never tried it. Only at 5 & 7 & 12
J
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Aug 14, 2018 23:08:21 GMT
I can get harmonics with a plectrum on frets 4 and 9 on both my 12 fret and 14 fret but they are not very clear/loud. Both 630mm scale. Can't really get them with my fingers.
Phil
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Post by scripsit on Aug 14, 2018 23:22:26 GMT
I can get clear harmonics at the 4th fret on my 650 mm slothead, and my multiscale (655 mm to 635 mm) paddle head, both 12 frets clear of the body. Fingernails or thumb pick.
I use uncoated strings, 56-13.
I expect there is an intonation issue with the guitar that you have difficulties with, or you are not allowing for height above the frets: I find clear natural harmonics require some muscle memory for good left hand placement on any guitar, and may not be produced by lining up visually exactly over the fret crown.
Kym
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Post by dreadnought28 on Aug 14, 2018 23:36:47 GMT
4 and 9 are good on my Bown 00 12 fret short scale, and same with the 0 12 fret.
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Post by scripsit on Aug 15, 2018 1:22:16 GMT
I did a brief internet search and found general agreement on electric guitar sites (they like to get the harmonic squeal going before tromping the whammy bar) that the '4th fret harmonic' is actually found at what would be the 3.8 to 3.9 fret placement.
So, visual placement of the left hand finger is not going to be the best approach.
I'll try tonight and see if what works for me is actually somewhere around the mythical fret 3.9
Kym
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 15, 2018 6:48:16 GMT
What Keith would say!
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Post by scripsit on Aug 15, 2018 8:43:30 GMT
Just tried 4th fret harmonics on the multiscale. It's intonated for DADGAD, and usually tuned in that. In normal playing position I use the side of my little finger (at least on the unwound strings), and don't really look at the frets except generally.
I laid the guitar on my lap, and used my left thumb to generate the harmonic, so I could see where it was most effective.
The pressure has to come down slightly on the nut side of the fret for a good, clear ringing harmonic. I think the 'fret 3.9' thing is correct.
For the 9th fret harmonics it's the same story: contacting the string slightly towards the nut rather than over the fret. It's the same note as at the 4th fret.
Where you pluck the string with your right hand affects clarity, too.
I don't think I've ever played a piece where I've had to use a natural harmonic at 9.
Kym
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 17, 2018 17:57:43 GMT
You may find your harmonics are clearer when you move your picking hand closer to the bridge
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