Wolf notes?

Chorlton · Post by **Chorlton** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:32 pm

My solid bodied tele occasionally sometimes has a habit of making a weird harmonic whistling sound when I play an open D and very rarely on an open A. This noise comes in after the initial sound of the note and it happens unplugged and is obviously amplified through an amp.
I had a look on the m'net this morning and I think I have a case of wolf tones.

wiki wolf tones
another description

The strange thing is this seems to happen to accoustic instruments - examples of violins, cellos and classical guitars - but I can't find mention of it for a solid bodied guitar.

Anyone else have this happen?

kim · Post by **kim** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:40 pm

this thread disappoints me, i thought you got a note from a wolf, i wonder what a wolf would write you on a note

Chorlton · Post by **Chorlton** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:46 pm

SAUSAGES

aen · Post by **aen** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:19 pm

I've definetly conjured up wome wierd harmonics, but usually on things like Jags and Jms. I dont think anything as apparent as your WOLFTONEZ.

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:25 pm

I think this might be what happens with my Jazzmaster. I didn't know this was what it was called before but I get unwanted harmonic sound mostly when playing an open D chord that seems consistent with this. I'll have to confirm this when I'm at home and maybe use a higher string gauge.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:27 pm

WOLFTONEZ FTW!

Check the nut, a badly cut slot can cause something that resembles a bad pinch harmonic on open strings.

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:41 pm

Fran wrote:WOLFTONEZ FTW!

Check the nut, a badly cut slot can cause something that resembles a bad pinch harmonic on open strings.

I don't think it's that, it doesn't just happen on open strings for me.

And why are they called wolfnotes? That sounds too badass, they should be called wanktones

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:56 pm

Mityushikha wrote:
Fran wrote:WOLFTONEZ FTW!

Check the nut, a badly cut slot can cause something that resembles a bad pinch harmonic on open strings.
I don't think it's that, it doesn't just happen on open strings for me.

And why are they called wolfnotes? That sounds too badass, they should be called wanktones

Well, an harmonic is created somewhere.. could be a shite saddle, string tree issue, etc. Jags and JMz particularly suffer with this due to the bridge set up. Lots of moving parts to rattle.

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:20 pm

Fran wrote:
Mityushikha wrote:
Fran wrote:WOLFTONEZ FTW!

Check the nut, a badly cut slot can cause something that resembles a bad pinch harmonic on open strings.
I don't think it's that, it doesn't just happen on open strings for me.

And why are they called wolfnotes? That sounds too badass, they should be called wanktones
Well, an harmonic is created somewhere.. could be a shite saddle, string tree issue, etc. Jags and JMz particularly suffer with this due to the bridge set up. Lots of moving parts to rattle.

That's not the impression I got from the description:

'A wolf tone, or simply a "wolf", is produced when a played note matches the natural resonating frequency of the body of a musical instrument'

The whole of the instrument vibrates with the string and the resonant frequency of the body and neck interfere with the string vibrations, no?

George · Post by **George** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:29 pm

My Jag gets these whistly metallic harmonics that Frans describing. Becomes really apparent with reverb and I quite like it - most of the time it's not noticeable but sometimes it can happen just at the right moment and sounds cool.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:07 pm

Mityushikha wrote:
Fran wrote:
Mityushikha wrote: I don't think it's that, it doesn't just happen on open strings for me.

And why are they called wolfnotes? That sounds too badass, they should be called wanktones
Well, an harmonic is created somewhere.. could be a shite saddle, string tree issue, etc. Jags and JMz particularly suffer with this due to the bridge set up. Lots of moving parts to rattle.
That's not the impression I got from the description:

'A wolf tone, or simply a "wolf", is produced when a played note matches the natural resonating frequency of the body of a musical instrument'

The whole of the instrument vibrates with the string and the resonant frequency of the body and neck interfere with the string vibrations, no?

I dunno mate. We can all analyze the guitars workings too much at times.

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:27 pm

Fran wrote:I dunno mate. We can all analyze the guitars workings too much at times.

True, I should probably just stop worrying about it, I doubt it's as noticeable as I think it is.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:30 pm

DO YOUTUBE DEMOZ OF WOLFTONEZ!!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:27 pm

Wolfetone?

► Show Spoiler

Wolfetones?

► Show Spoiler

I think I get them a lot on my archtop. There are certain notes that when you fret them, the guitar just goes crazy and you get huge feedback. I've learnt where they are, and only use them when I want to.

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:29 pm

I don't think it is wolftones that I have, it is just a shimmery sound, not as extreme. I remember it bothered me loads a while ago just because I get really hung up on little things like that but playing the guitar now it doesnt seem so bad.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:30 pm

I haz wolftonez!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:34 pm

Mityushikha wrote:I don't think it is wolftones that I have, it is just a shimmery sound, not as extreme. I remember it bothered me loads a while ago just because I get really hung up on little things like that but playing the guitar now it doesnt seem so bad.

It sounds like a rattly saddle or something to me. I'd be focusing my attention on the saddle and the nut if I were you.

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:53 pm

BacchusPaul wrote:
Mityushikha wrote:I don't think it is wolftones that I have, it is just a shimmery sound, not as extreme. I remember it bothered me loads a while ago just because I get really hung up on little things like that but playing the guitar now it doesnt seem so bad.
It sounds like a rattly saddle or something to me. I'd be focusing my attention on the saddle and the nut if I were you.

It can't be the nut if it's happening on barre chords, at least I don't think it can. It also can be heard if I capo at the 12th and play a barre chord behind the capo, which I would say rules out just about everything but sympathetic vibration. It's not unknown for me to make a fuss about nothing and blow everything out of proportion. A tempest in a teapot, if you will.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:56 pm

Fran wrote:DO YOUTUBE DEMOZ OF WOLFTONEZ!!

Mityushikha · Post by **Mityushikha** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:03 pm

Fran wrote:
Fran wrote:DO YOUTUBE DEMOZ OF WOLFTONEZ!!

I can't!!!!! I have no webcam, no microphone and no other way of making demoez!!