SuperBro sucks the life out of my 3rd string - lap steel

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 11 Oct 2002 9:15 am

I play 6-string lap in G. I don't notice any problems sending the bypassed signal straight to the amp, but when the SuperBro is active, the 3rd string (26, wound) has no life to it. All the other strings seem to "snap" with a good dobro-ish tone. 3rd string sorta groans.

Has anyone else experienced this with a SuperBro? Is it a pickup issue? Is it a bridge or nut issue?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 11 Oct 2002 10:26 am

I use the Super Bro with my pedal steel and I haven't encountered any problem like you're talking about. I love the unit!
Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 11 October 2002 at 11:27 AM.]

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 11 Oct 2002 10:53 am

Since the 'Bro is an extreme filter that does it's extreme filtering in specific freq bands I would have to assume that the combination of string gauge, body resonance, pickup, scale, etc., are putting that string's timbral output right square on an attenuation spike of the filter. Boy, that sounded fancy, didn't it? I just mean that the SuperBro might be squashing that particular string on that particular guitar. You may want to try a different gauge string.

I use a Lawrence IQ-1200 on PSG and at some settings I can barely get harmonics to chime. I realized that the filter was attenuating the frequencies that the chimes ring the strongest.

---btw---I've not experienced your problem with my MatchBro. [This message was edited by Jon Light on 11 October 2002 at 11:54 AM.]

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 11 Oct 2002 12:58 pm

Actually, this problem happens with other guitars that I have also. I've used it on a Danelectro that I raised the nut on. Same type of problem. It's most pronounced on my Melobar 6-string. It's odd that the problem happens on the G string, since it's a Dobro simulator. I'd guess that THAT frequency should not be attenuated, being the tonic center.

A better description of the problem is that it sounds like the G is over-compressed.

other than this problem, I love using the SuperBro. If I could just get the G string to be less squishy sounding, everything would be great. [This message was edited by Chris Walke on 11 October 2002 at 02:00 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Oct 2002 3:02 pm

When you play a note on a string, what you hear is that note, as well as all the overtones which that string produces. The device is probably just killing the overtones on that string, and the remaining fundamental is weak compared to the other strings.

Try a .024W instead of the .026w.

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 11 Oct 2002 7:57 pm

Or--tune up/down a tone or two and see if the problem goes away. --Everett

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 Oct 2002 6:09 pm

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 14 Oct 2002 6:45 am

. . . or just play with the timbre and tone knobs -- both move the frequencies of the filter as I understand it.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro