Overtones

[toddr]

I am setting up #3 that I just completed. The action at the nut is perfect for me, the bridge is fit to the body very well. But I'm getting a "sitar-like" sound from one of the D strings and both A strings. Also when these strings are played open, after a few seconds the note changes to a much higher harmonic. The E string also sounds a little muted. I tried to file the nut slots a little wider. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to possibly solve this problem.

[Jerry Byers]

I thought sitar-like sounds were caused by nuts that had been filed too low.

[Antlurz]

...or too wide? Either way, I'm guessing a less than good fit.

Are you sure they are making contact on the very leading edge? If they are locating further back in the groove, you've got problems.

What is your definition of a "higher harmonic"?

Ron

[labraid]

Check that not only the peghead-fretboard angle is halved when filing, but also the same angle when looking down on the fretboard. What you have sounds to me like the string isn't sitting well in the slot. Too tight can do this, or if the slot is off-kilter, slanted in a bad way... If you're at perfect action already, you might need a whole new nut to get this corrected. The problem could be in the bridge slots too. If you fret the notes and get the same thing, obviously the problem lies in the bridge slots, or worse, both...
We've all been there, man!

[Geoff B]

perhaps even a high fret or two could be making that sound? If you file the nut too wide or deep you could be getting some fret buzz.

[Jim Rowland]

The problem is at one or the other points where the string action terminates. Nut slots should be spread slightly toward the head and the string should bear on the tailward edge. At the bridge,the string should bear on either the front or back edge depending on how you've filed it for intonation. If it is lying flat on the bridge you will often get the "sitar" effect.
Jim

[buddyellis]

What grow said. Does it 'sitar' while fretting or when not, or both? If it 'goes away' when fretting, then the problem is at the bridge end, most likely, and you need to make sure the saddle slots fall at a slight angle down toward the tailpiece. Same for the nut end, but in the other direction, towards the headstock.

[Martin Jonas]

If it 'goes away' when fretting, then the problem is at the bridge end, most likely, and you need to make sure the saddle slots fall at a slight angle down toward the tailpiece.

The other way around: if the problem goes away when fretting, then it's the nut, not the bridge.

Martin

[buddyellis]

Yesterday was a busy day. I'm sure I had some logic going on there somewhere, but, quite obviously, it fell out the window or something. If the 'sitar' goes away when you fret, then the problem is 'not' probably at the bridge end, but the nut end. What a difference one word (doesn't) can make. Thanks martin

[ratmando]

Sometimes problems like that are from sympathetic string vibrations above the nut or between the bridge and tailpiece.
I've even seen it to be the clipped off string ends buzzing on the tuner posts. (loose truss rod nuts, end pin buttons, tailpiece covers,etc all have a way of making some pretty funky noises that can fool you at times.