Weird harmonics at 12th fret

[elparkirio]

Does anyone else get a strange tone at the 12th fret??? I find that the notes there don't ring properly...am i doing something wrong??? Its difficult to explain the sound, but it sounds like i'm getting notes from behind the bar as well in front..

Anyone know what i'm blabbing on about???

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Well if you think about it Matt the 12th has got to be the place your gonna get the most natural harmonics as you don`t have to work to find`em there,,, anywhere else on the board you try to force them relies on your accuracy in finding the spot>>>>>>>>>>>

[elparkirio]

Yeah, that makes total sense John...How do i stop this wierd sound then?? Should i have the fingers in the left hand press down harder on the strings??? Or move where my right hand is picking??

[saddletramp]

Hi Matt,

well it sounds like you may need to increase the damping pressure behind the bar.

You can, on rare occasions, exploit that position by lifting those same fingers and picking strings behind the bar. Gives a kind of harp-like, ethereal sound. Probably something you would only want to use once per gig or even once per career. I have heard Greg Leisz use it.

Chris

[elparkirio]

Nice one Chris...i do play behind the bar sometimes, not at the 12th fret though, gives a really dark horror movie effect

[Paul Brennan]

It's perfectly normal Matt. You'll get a similar but less audible effect at the 5th and 7th frets. Lloyd Green often uses this to great effect. Pay more attention to damping behind the bar if you don't want these harmonics to ring out.

[elparkirio]

Thanks Paul

[Jason Lynch]

Matt
(although I'm a relative beginner) try using your thumb to block the Bass strings. I found that helps.

[Donny Johnston]

If Paul Brennan says it, it's got to be correct. I would agree with whats already been said, keep your fingers behind the bar down on the strings unless you want that sound.

[elparkirio]

Got it..on it...improvements made...thanks boys