Tissue To Dampen Springs?

GtrVampyre · #1 03-21-2005, 12:14 PM

I noticed vai puts tissue inside the back cover to reduce spring vibrations cause its said that the pickups actually pickup the vibrations and make excess noise. Does doing this really cut back on noice considerably? I know vai is very very picky about tone (hey if i got the tone i wanted i wouldnt want it changed either). But if i put a cloth in the back would it cut the noise back and not bother tension or anything?

Jammy · #2 03-21-2005, 12:54 PM

It really does work, I did it on my 550 and it stopped a persistant ringing noise the guitar was making. use cotton wool and fill up the rear cavity - it'll make no difference to how your trem feels.

Allen Garrow · #3 03-21-2005, 01:03 PM

I've stuffed em with cotton balls before. Recently I've found under the sink in our bathroom a great supply of these cotton squares used for make up removal/toe nail stuff etc.... I use about 3 or so and just slide em under the trem springs. Works great, deadens the occasional spring noise and if I remove the back plate for any reason I don't have cotton balls falling out.

~A

Ekim · #4 03-21-2005, 03:53 PM

Like a gauze pad? Cool idea. If I ever get finished restoring my UV, I'll try and remember that one.

LonePhantom · #5 03-21-2005, 04:53 PM

Putting rubber tubing through the trem springs makes a difference too, better tone and sustain.

Allen Garrow · #6 03-21-2005, 08:20 PM

No it's not actually a gauze pad ,,, it is just pressed square cotton pads. Ask your girlfriend or wife. I never knew they exist until I was snooping around under the bathroom sink searching for an old toothbrush to clean my trem and neck with. They come in a resealable plastic bag thing, you can get round or square. I dig the square ones......lol

~A

ScottB · #7 03-21-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Garrow

No it's not actually a gauze pad ,,, it is just pressed square cotton pads. Ask your girlfriend or wife. I never knew they exist until I was snooping around under the bathroom sink searching for an old toothbrush to clean my trem and neck with. They come in a resealable plastic bag thing, you can get round or square. I dig the square ones......lol

~A

Do you mean these?

megadeth · #8 03-22-2005, 12:03 AM

^^
ROTFLMAO !!!
this will be innovative.

Allen Garrow · #9 03-22-2005, 08:40 AM

Scream jem! dammitt,,,well I guess they would work? You could also stick em to the inside cover of your trem cover and tuck a couple under the strap for good measures. LOL... you know,,,when the confusion first came up on what I was referring too ( before you took it to the edge ) I was trying to do a search so that I could post a picture of what they really looked like.... All I could seem to find was,,,,ummm exactly what you posted. So I stopped. Unlike you. LOL

I did however learn in my search that they do sell "menstrual kits" for the do it yourselfer types out there that wish to make there own and reuse them. OMFG Yep the search ended there.

I hope Glen is watching this post closely and won't hesitate to shut er' down if the Kotex kid strikes again with more off the subject matter.

~A

frankfalbo · #10 03-22-2005, 10:54 AM

I've always wrapped my springs individually with one rotation of electrical tape. I wrote about it in an article over a decade ago, and I don't remember when I started. But it seemed pretty obvious with a floating trem that those noises get through to the pickups. If you scrape them while the guitar is plugged in it's pretty loud. I found that it made my noise gates work better.

dex · #11 03-22-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex

Just cut some strips from washing up sponge - 6mmx6mmx40mm (1/4"x1/4"x1.5") and use some thread to get them inside the springs.
The last time you are ever going to hear spring noise and it looks great from the outside.
I'll take a photo and post it tonight.
Here you go - pics 3 to 6 show how to get rid of unwanted spring noise without stuffing loo paper in your guitar.

Mr Nordegg, take notice.

ilia

I've been doing this for years - way before I knew that Steve has tissue paper stuffed in there.

bpd111 · #12 03-22-2005, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScreamJem7

Do you mean these?

Dude, I just blew snot out my nose when I saw this and laughed... I'll be right back!

Allen Garrow · #13 03-23-2005, 10:06 AM

bpd111,,,, grab a pad from the bathroom closet if you haven't all ready stuffed your jem with em..... You can stick em to your arm or sleeve and you will never have to search again for a tissue....

Ok,,I swear this is the last comment I'm going to make on this matter.

This thread has gone dreadfully wrong.

~A

moro · #14 03-23-2005, 10:48 PM

I just found these at the supermarket:

I'll be taking my guitar to the luthier this weekend to have them installed.

ScottB · #15 03-23-2005, 11:45 PM

Sorry about the Kotex, but that was all I could find during my search.

Seriously though, I've been using a cotton ball inside each spring to dampen the vibrations. Just stretch the cotton ball apart about 6 inches and thread it into the center of the spring, using a toothpick. The springs appear totally stock.

moro, if you can turn a screwdriver, you'll be able to do this yourself. Just remove the trem cover plate and slide a wad of the cotton squares (thick enough to be held in place by the springs and the wood under them) under the springs. If you were being facetious about the luthier bit, I'll be feeling a bit silly right now.