What causes this sound?

[Vick Griffin]

Strangely enough, I have two cbg's, both 3-stringers, whose middle string makes an almost sitar-like ring/sound that the other two strings don't.  Anybody know why that might be?  Bridge? Nut?  Both gits use one of those padauk bridges from CB Gitty.

[Tim LaFave]

Sounds like maybe the middle string is barely touching something, like a fret, maybe? Could be "fret buzz", and you would need to locate the fret and file it down a bit, if that is what it is.

[Dan Sleep]

You can check three places.

First is to make sure that, like Tim suggested, that the string is not too close to one of the frets.

Second, check at the nut, and press down on the string on the headstock side of the nut and pluck the string and see if the sound goes away when you are putting pressure on the string to hold it tighter against the nut.

Third, do the same this at the bridge. Press the string on the tailpiece side of the bridge and see if the noise goes away.

It may be that the string is buzzing against the sides or bottoms of the nut or bridge slot.

[Vick Griffin]

Definitely not fret buzz since one of the gits is fretless.  I'm guessing it's like I thought - either the nut or bridge.  Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[jawbone]

Is it a sort of high pitched "zing" when you are in the process of sliding from one note to another - not the sound of the slide - but almost a harmonic note??

[Slowpaw Steve T]

the sound you describe could be caused by unevenly cut string slots in the nut or bridge exacerbated by shallow break angles off the bridge or at the head or bridge too low - can you post up some photos? (-: