Help on Highs

[Lynn Fargo]

Hi All,

Been practicin' a little bit again. Need your help though. I'm finding my 'Bud is loosing its Ooomph up in the high register. You can hear it here about 1:28. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6XinPCJ-Ig

I'm not sure if its the pickup or my technique (or lack of.)

If anyone has any suggestions, please be kind enough to let me know what to change. A friend of mine suggested I might try stainless steels strings.

Thanks in advance,
Lynn

[Carl Kilmer]

Hi Lynn, I gotta say your playing is really nice.
The first thing I think of is the strings may be
a little old and losing their sustain. You can add
a little reverb and/or delay and maybe more treble.
I love to play above the 12th fret a lot, and when
I do, I don't like to have my fingers on the strings
behind the bar. If I do, it seems the sustain is lost.

[Lynn Fargo]

Thanks so much, Carl. Will give those tips a try.

And thanks for the nice compliment. I had to quit playing for about 25 years and am trying to find time more recently to get back at it.

Lynn.

[Lynn Fargo]

Jim P.,

Special thanks for the great e-mail.

Lynn

[Billy Carr]

Think I'd play that particular song in C chord. I played Bud's on/off for a long time. Old Bud's have a sweet spot, once it's found on a guitar then it makes for the classic sound of a Sho-Bud. I had luck in the F, G, Bb and C positions for tone/sustain, especially above the 12th fret. Last Bud I had was a LDG model and used a NV-400 with it. No effects, just reverb and a Bud pickup. Latest thing I've found for improving a guitars tone/sustain/tuning is the Live Steel Strings also. Cost a little more but are well worth the price. Hardest thing for me to learn while playing steel was so simple. Started in 71' at 14 years old. Ok, it was to have fun, smile and relax while playing. It's like therapy for me. Enjoy and share the gift of music. Have a great day and keep pickin'!

[Lynn Fargo]

Thanks, Billy.

I'm using a Fender Mustang II, 12", dialed to Twin Reverb. I have Live Steel Strings on, but since I hadn't been playing for a few months before I recorded this, they are a little bit old.

I'm wondering how close to the pickup should I pick when playing up high like that. Also, I like the mellow tone I'm getting on the lowers, but I guess I may have to sacrifice some of that to get my highs. Am definitely gonna try taking my palm off the bar hand up there first though.

Lynn