Originally Posted by: hunter60I recently purchased an electric guitar(no name - nothing grand) and I have tuned it several times and according to the electronic tuner, it's in tune. However, the 'G' string just sounds 'dead' to me compared to the rest. I have not yet found anything in the way of reference that mentions this so I believe this to be my own imagination.

Has anyone else heard of this? What can be done? Replace all the strings?

Thanks-

• "Is it possible to have a 'dead' string?"
  

Yes, indeed, especially if it is a wound string, and the wrapping has loosened.To prevent this, a properly installed string should have a few turns of the string around the tuner post. And the end should be 'locked'. Check out schmange's tutorial on string installation in the lessons section.


• "I recently purchased an electric guitar..."
  

How old are the strings? Even a brand-new guitar may have been hanging around the shop (ha ha) for long enough that the strings should be replaced just on general principal.


• "I have tuned it several times and according to the electronic tuner, it's in tune. However, the 'G' string just sounds 'dead' to me compared to the rest."
  

Use that tuner to check the intonation. The harmonic at the 12th fret should match the pitch of the fretted note. And bear in mind that the G and B strings never sound quite right due to the way a guitar works, so it's always a matter of compromise.


• "What can be done? Replace all the strings?"
  

Sure. It's a cheap fix. While you're at it, you might try using a different gauge, or switching between sets that have wound and plain G strings. I use D'Addario EXL115W strings (with a wound G string) on my 'Brand X' guitar ever since I decided that the EXL115 set with a plain G string sounded 'wrong' on that guitar.