Guitar Gear Forum

I bought an SG Junior a few years ago and hated the strings it came with, so I immediately changed them for the D'addario 10's I typically use. The G string on the new set sounded flat and lifeless while everything else rang out normally (I didn't play it enough with the original strings to see if the problem was already there). I didn't give it much thought and the guitar got moved out of rotation, so I haven't played it much. I picked it up the other day and the G string sounded like ass - worse than I remember. I changed strings yesterday (put 9's on this time), but the issue persists. The G string is just dull and lifeless in the open position. If you fret that string anywhere on the neck, it sounds fine.

It has a one-piece wrap-around bridge/saddle unit and the nut slot is clean and seems to be cut well (from my non-luthier perspective). Intonation is as accurate as could be expected and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot in that setup that could go wrong. What would cause that issue - what should I look for?

you are looking at the right areas.. Id suspect the nut. But for sure could be the bridge.. Provided you really don't see anything, then its just one of those Anomaly's in guitars at times.. But id check and make sure the nut slot is pitched correctly. Meaning its got a pronounced break angle over the edge of the slot where the string exits the nut towards the bridge. Sometimes the slots can be cut too "flat" of an angle and not actually be sitting over a nice break angle and that can cause strings to vibrate funny and sound dull

I've had this issue with Gibsons before and it was the nut every time.

Thanks for the input, guys. The nut was my suspicion, especially considering it's the G string, but figured you'd know for certain.

I'm planning on making a trek to Sweetwater over the holiday's - I'll have them take a look if I get up there.

I was coming in here to say it seems like a nut problem. But I see Eric was first on the scene. I’m sure I got that knowledge from him too haha.

You guys are why I ask questions here, first

G-String in the title and the solution is nut


have we lost our way?

The solution is always nut.

Feels more like we’re right on track…

Dave wrote:G-String in the title and the solution is nut


have we lost our way?

Nut can also be a verb.