Pinch harmonics on downtuned guitars?

[jgcable]

IMHO... the severe detuning could be affecting your guitars ability to produce clear harmonics. After all.. your guitar was designed to be tuned to a key very close to 440 (E). I think the pinch harmonics that alot of the guys are talking about here are the Zack Wylde type on the low E and A strings. I assume you are talking about the higher Lynch/Shredder type pinches on the B and high E strings at the 5th,7th of the G string pinches around the 7th-9th frets etc... Unusual tension and string gauge can be screwing you up. Also, when you pinch with a locking trem you are probably pulling the string while you pinch which is pulling the bridge forward a little and also messing with the guitars ability to produce correct overtones and harmonics.
Different strings will also affect pinches. I would suggest you try a set of GHS Boomers or D'addario XL's. I have had great success with both of these brands. GHS is probably better than D'addario for the heavy gauges.
The Zack Wylde heavy set might do it for you.

[Sunbane]

Thanks again!

Actually, it's the Zakk-style harmonics on the 5th and 6th strings that don't come through for me (with this particular setup). I get them just fine on my other guitars, of which one is tuned to E with 010-046 (Ernie Ball), and the other to D, also with 010-046 (D'Addario).

This one, tuned to D with Ernie Ball 011-048 feels a bit too loose to play on, and lacking in harmonics. I think that maybe the strings are bad somehow? I will try with a D'Addario 011-052 set next. Or GHS if I can find them. The Zakk sets are a little too heavy bottom for me, plus none of the stores in my area have them.

[-Boris-]

Just practise a little, and I think it won't be a problem for you. I used to have 12-56 strings in D, and I nailed harmonics on thicker strings easier. It's cuz I practised that the most.

So all about practise...rock on!

[Sunbane]

I really don't think it's all about practice in this case, because I've been playing for the odd 15 years or so, so I know how to make these pinch harmonics. There's something about these strings that just won't let the harmonics out. But I will try a 011-052 set and let you guys know what's happening.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, it's much appreciated! :cheers:

[NextInLine]

That's surprising because, I detune to C with 10-46's and I always thought that it's much more easier to get pinch harmonics with this setup. Also they sound much more better...

[OnlineStageGear]

Hmm, strange..... Could be your tone pot might be flakey since normally if you roll your tone pot all the way back, it is harder to catch a lot of the pinch harmonics. Maybe the thicker strings are causing your pickup to pull on the strings more pulling them out of wack.

Matt

[slayer]

I have found for me personally that the thinner the strings I use, the more awsome pinch harmonics I can get. You guys use some swerious tree trunks for strings I use 9-42 and 9-46, the latter for Drop D on a short scale guitar. Jack.

[Sunbane]

Hmm, strange..... Could be your tone pot might be flakey since normally if you roll your tone pot all the way back, it is harder to catch a lot of the pinch harmonics.

That's interesting...except this guitar doesn't have a tone pot.
One of the first things I do is take that off.