Paper on your strings?

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Melissa
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 03:47 PM

I found a picture of Bill Carlisle with paper in his strings.
He had it at about the 12th but had clipped a capo at about 8 or 9.

I slid my paper up to about the 5th and it almost worked.

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Melissa
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 03:00 PM

It's ok for buzzing to be dumb. At the moment, I'm not having fun playing and am looking for ways to amuse myself into forgetting that I don't like it.

At 12th, soundhole and bridge, I tried:
crisp dollar
tape
matchbook (I enjoyed Martin Taylor. Thanks, Hamish!)

I gave up on 12th quickly because I don't want harmonics.
Soundhole gave more buzz, but bridge gave clearer tones.
Nothing I tried gave me anything resembling the kazoo-like sound I'm seeking, so I'll keep on poking different things in my strings to see what happens.

Thanks, all!

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: GUEST,Songbob
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 01:59 PM

"If you really want to buzz, get an electric."

Danelectro, back in the 60s, used to make an electric sitar, with a 'bridge' about an inch wide. I would think one could put a popsicle stick or other strip of wood under the strings at the bridge and get the same effect. Stiff paper might do, as well.

Not likely to 'catch on,' though.

Bob

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 01:53 PM

If you really want to buzz, get an electric.

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 09:12 AM

I spent thousands to get a guitar that doesn't buzz. Seems perverse to say the least, to want to make it buzz deliberately!! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: NormanD
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 08:52 AM

I thought it was a Brazilian thing. Seems to work better with a nylon-string guitar. Any paper, just weave it through the strings at the sound hole. Use different paper thicknesses, at different places and go with what sounds good. Don't overdo it, it can get a bit gimmicky, and annoying even.

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 08:31 AM

Try threading a crisp dollar bill through the strings around the 12th fret. I worked for Johnny Cash on the original recording of "I Walk the Line"
- Phil

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Hamish
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 08:18 AM

The jazz guitarist Martin Taylor has a very good piece on YouTube where he demonstrates the technique and plays a really nice tune: Down at Cocomo's. Sorry - I can't do YouTube at work, but search on that and you'll find it. ~8^)

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: autoharpbob
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 07:58 AM

Masking tape over the autoharp strings at the anchor end has the effect of damping them - like a guitarist does with the side of his hand - and can be effective in the right song - try "Yellow Bird".

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 04:54 AM

With some stringed instruments, threading a crisp new banknote through the strings gives the right effect. I first heard of that being done with a concert harp - I guess blues guitarists don't get to hanbdle many of them.

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Melissa
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 01:42 AM

Maybe I will try a variety of Masking Tape Tricks to astound and amaze my fellow musicians. It almost sounds fun whether it gives much buzz or not!

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Gurney
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 01:32 AM

I seem to remember that he stuck a piece face-to-face where it touched the strings and had the loose ends stuck lightly on the belly. I remember it was loud, and sounded somewhat like the vibrating bridge on a Hurdy-gurdy, but memories fade, and this one is 40years old..... help me out of this chair, Martha.....
-or did he tape a paper loop around all six? Or both?

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Melissa
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 12:59 AM

We do need to be more careful..people will talk..

Does the tape buzz as well as whatever they're using in the Carlisle recording? Does it gum the strings and make them dead?
Sounds like an easy thing to try. I have masking tape.

I tried weaving different papers through the strings, folding a piece of it over/under..and never did end up getting a satisfying noise.

Subject: RE: Paper on your strings?
From: Gurney
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 12:56 AM

Rod Felton of Coventry sometimes used to put a strip of masking tape loosely over the strings at the bridge. You could try that, or variations.

We have to stop meeting like this, Melissa.

Subject: Paper on your strings?
From: Melissa
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 11:38 PM

Several years ago, I read something about the Carlisles using a piece of paper over guitar strings to make a percussive/buzzy sound.

How?
What kind of paper?

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