"Ask Bud!"
Question:
When I play my steel, I hear an undertone (a note below the note being played) . . . what is causing this?
Answer:
There are several possible answers to this question.
The most likely cause is usually a sympathetic resonance in the steel which occurs at a particular frequency.
Various resonances affect string vibrations and are transmitted to the strings by the components which touch both the strings and the body.
It also could be caused by the pre-amp or reverb circuit in your amplifier.
I recommend that you try the following in the order listed:
- Try turning off the reverb in your amp.
- Try 2 or 3 different amps.
- Test to see if this occurs only on a certain string or on certain strings at a particular fret.
- If the answer is yes to #3, then try lowering the pickup. This usually will reduce the undertone to a level you can live with or where you will not notice it anymore.
- If the undertone persists after trying #3, then try tightening (or loosening) each of the bridge and keyhead screws (about ¼-turn), one at a time while checking the overtone after each screw you tighten (or loosen). This may reduce the resonant frequency's amplitude (amount) or at least shift the frequency to one, which is less annoying.
Hopefully, some or all of these suggestions will solve your problems with undertones.
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