Playing Cleanly on an SG

[Bingefeller]

Does anyone else find it's more difficult to stop unwanted strings ringing when playing lead on an SG?

[melj]

Does anyone else find it's more difficult to stop unwanted strings ringing when playing lead on an SG?

I find everything easier on an SG. They fit me better than anything else, after growing up with one.

Are you having issues with damping at the bridge?

[richardhomer]

Humbucking guitars tend to present more of a challenge than cleaner sounding single coil instruments. I regret to say this is a technique issue. The subtle use of damping (from both hands) is a skill that comes naturally to players used to playing at stage volumes, while retaining articulation. I'm afraid it's a matter of practice.

[barney.]

i find the SG easier ..some of the floyd rose guitars i find a bit harder..but like as been said i think you learn through a loud ..even with a bit of gain on cos it can get out of control a bit easier that way...

[Bingefeller]

I find everything easier on an SG. They fit me better than anything else, after growing up with one.

Are you having issues with damping at the bridge?

Yeah.....at the bridge. Sometimes the low E will ring out if I'm playing single notes on the B or E strings.

[guitarfishbay]

You need to be muting that low E with your picking hand palm. I'm thinking this is a picking hand angle issue. It is hard to diagnose these over the internet, do you have a teacher or do you know anyone locally who could watch you to give pointers? It is good to try and sort these little technique things out sooner rather than later, as it is hard to relearn picking technique once it becomes second nature.



If you look at the above photo you'll see the bottom part of his picking hand palm is muting the low strings while he is picking the high strings.

Hope this helps

[p90fool]

This seemed an odd question to me at first, but I think guitarfishbay has a point regarding picking angles. The "playing area" between the bridge saddles and the nut is shifted way to the left on SGs compared to other guitars, especially on a strap.

When I play mine I always take a few seconds to readjust my left hand to that "out there" feeling they have, so I guess that if your right hand muting was borderline it could also need a change to compensate.

[Wonks]

Could this be partly to do with the rather wobbly neck that almost all SGs have? It's going to vibrate and put more energy into any undamped strings than on a guitar with a stiffer neck.

[TheGuitarWeasel]

I think trying to diagnose the problem online is like playing pin the tail on the donkey, you need a tutor to take a look at your technique with your SG and go from there. There are so many variables ... your gain settings ... your environment. Many of my students over the years have been totally shocked at the change from playing at bedroom volumes to gig levels (I usually spring a local Jam on them when they get to a certain level). Do you find this problem on other guitars? Is it the same seated as standing (helps show if it's hand position)?
Some of my students have not 'got' palm muting and finger damping till I have open tuned a guitar, taken away their pick, passed them a bottle neck and turned the wick up ... it's fantastic practise for playing cleanly.

[JAYJO]

Have you tried alt picking moving your Arm Up towards the neck and down away from the neck when playing down the strings. Ie Instead of playing up and down the strings,think of playing across the strings. Using your forearm to direct your movement ie up and down towards the neck etc. This keeps your hand in contact with all the unused strings while playing and helps with noise issues as well playing quickly. just a thought!