Beatrice Lang
A tinny sound from an electric-acoustic guitar is usually a sign that something is wrong. New guitars often sound tinny because of new strings, which will sound better over time as they are played in. However, there are several fixes to prevent a guitar from sounding tinny, such as adjusting the truss rod, changing the strings, or changing the EQ settings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for tinny sound | New strings, truss rod issue, lousy setup, subpar pickup, effect pedals |
| Solutions | Wait for new strings to settle, adjust truss rod, change setup, get pickups changed, disconnect effect pedals |
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New strings
Round-wound strings, in particular, are known to be brighter than flat-wound or half-wound strings, which typically offer a mellower sound. Additionally, very cheap strings are more likely to sound tinny, although not all cheap strings sound bad.
The good news is that, in most cases, new strings will sound better over time as they gradually break in and lose their overly bright tone. This process happens as the strings slowly degrade and the sound becomes duller. This can be a positive change, as a drastic shift in tone can occur when new strings are put on a guitar, which can take some time to get used to.
To speed up the process of breaking in new strings and reducing the tinny sound, it is recommended to play the guitar as much as possible. The more the strings are played, the faster they will lose their initial brightness and settle into a more natural and well-rounded frequency distribution.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the action of the guitar can also impact the sound. If the action is too low, the strings may start touching the frets, causing a tinny buzzing sound. Adjusting the guitar's truss rod can help modify the action and reduce this unwanted sound.
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Truss rod adjustment
There are a few key considerations to keep in mind when adjusting a truss rod. Firstly, it is important to only use the truss rod to keep the neck straight and not to adjust the action. Small adjustments can make a significant difference, so it is recommended to only turn the truss rod an eighth of a turn at a time. Secondly, always use the proper adjustment tool, which is typically a 1/4" thin-walled nut driver or a magnetic tip screwdriver without a tip inserted. You can check with the manufacturer if you are unsure about the correct tool.
When adjusting the truss rod, the direction you turn it depends on whether it is too loose or too tight. A loose truss rod will result in a forward bow in the neck, raising the string height. To correct this, turn the truss rod nut clockwise to add tension and straighten the neck. On the other hand, if the truss rod is too tight, it will cause the neck to bow backward, lowering the string height and increasing string buzz. To fix this, turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise to release some tension and bring the neck back to a straight position.
It is important to note that electric guitars typically have straighter necks than acoustic guitars, and adjustments may need to be made to suit your playing style. Additionally, always ensure your guitar is in standard tuning when making truss rod adjustments. While truss rod adjustment can seem intimidating, it is a valuable skill to learn as it allows you to fine-tune your guitar to your preferences and ensure it plays optimally. With careful adjustments and a good understanding of truss rods, you can maintain your guitar's performance and keep it in top condition.
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EQ settings
Electric-acoustic guitars can sometimes sound tinny due to the frequency response of the guitar, the amplifier, or the strings. EQ settings can play a significant role in addressing this issue and enhancing the overall sound. Here are some tips to optimise your EQ settings to mitigate any tinny sound:
- If your electric-acoustic guitar sounds tinny, try making a cut in the 1-2 kHz range. This can effectively round out the sound and reduce the tinny character.
- Be cautious when boosting in the high mids (3 kHz and above). While boosting in this range can bring the guitar to the front of the mix, excessive boosting may introduce more hiss and noise.
- To ensure the vocal clarity shines through in a busy mix, consider making a wide cut around 3-5 kHz. This technique creates space for the vocals to be more prominent while maintaining a balanced guitar sound.
- After creating space for the vocals, you might need to compensate for any dullness in the guitar sound. You can add slight boosts in the 8 kHz area to bring brilliance and grace to the guitar without overwhelming the vocals.
- For acoustic guitars that need a fuller sound, consider boosting at 80 Hz. This will add a pleasant weight to the low end while reducing clutter.
- To add thickness to the guitar sound, focus on the 150 Hz area. This frequency range can provide a substantial body to the overall tone.
- As a general rule, it is recommended to filter out the low end by cutting everything below 100 Hz. This can help create a cleaner mix and ensure the guitar's presence in the overall sound.
By adjusting these EQ settings, you can significantly improve the sound of your electric-acoustic guitar and reduce any tinny characteristics. Remember that the specific settings may vary depending on the guitar, amplifier, and personal preferences, so feel free to experiment and find the sweet spot that works best for you.
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Playing technique
Firstly, it's important to consider the type of strings you're using. New strings are often the culprit behind tinny sounds, as they can be too bright and metallic-sounding until they've had a chance to wear in. This process can take a few days, and you may need to play your guitar more frequently during this period to expedite the breaking-in process. Additionally, the type of string winding can make a difference; round-wound strings tend to be brighter, while flat-wound or half-wound strings produce a mellower sound.
The action of your guitar can also influence tinny sounds. If you've recently adjusted the action, it may have resulted in overcorrection, causing the strings to touch the frets and creating a tinny, buzzing sound. In this case, you can modify the action by adjusting the truss rod.
Another factor to consider is the quality of your guitar. Cheap guitars made with thin, low-quality materials tend to produce a more tinny and toy-like sound due to their inability to generate a deep, resonant bass response. Upgrading to a better-quality guitar with thicker construction can help alleviate this issue.
Finally, experimenting with different playing techniques can help reduce tinny sounds. Try adjusting your EQ settings, microphone placement (if recording), or using effect pedals to modify the sound and reduce the brightness or treble frequencies.
By making these adjustments and allowing new strings to settle, you should be able to minimise tinny sounds and achieve a warmer, more natural tone from your electric-acoustic guitar.
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Poor-quality pickups
One of the most common issues with pickups is a short circuit or an open circuit. In the case of an open circuit, the pickup wire is broken, resulting in no signal being heard. Short circuits can occur when the enamel insulation flakes off the windings, causing the copper winding to come into contact with the grounded metal pickup cover or another uninsulated winding. This can lead to a partial or complete loss of signal.
To identify a faulty pickup, there are several tests you can perform. Firstly, inspect the solder joints and wiring to the output jack for any cold solder joints or broken wires. If you notice any issues, the pickup may need to be replaced. Additionally, test the guitar in different environments to rule out external noise sources. If the pickup still exhibits problems, it is likely faulty.
Another issue with pickups is when the windings are not securely held in place and move around when the guitar is handled. This movement affects the signal from the pickup, causing it to act as a microphone and pick up noise from the windings moving in its magnetic field.
Piezo pickups, commonly used in acoustic-electric guitars, have improved significantly over the years. However, they are known to suffer from installation problems, resulting in less-than-ideal sound. Therefore, it is important to ensure proper installation and to use a high-impedance input, such as an acoustic preamp, to achieve a good sound.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few reasons why your electric-acoustic guitar might sound tinny. New guitars, for instance, often have new strings that need to be broken in and settled. Adjusting the truss rod with an Allen key can also help prevent buzzing and tinny sounds.
To adjust your guitar's truss rod, use an Allen key to rotate the adjustment nut until the guitar's neck is flat without buzzing the strings. The truss rod plays a major role in the guitar's action, so ensure it's not too tight or too loose.
You can try adjusting the EQ settings on your amp or PA system, changing your playing technique, or using different mic placement if you're recording.
Yes, it could be due to a lousy setup out-of-the-box, especially if you bought it online. Additionally, poor-quality pickups, commonly found in cheap guitars, can also contribute to a tinny sound.
