deadbeat Duesenburg... or dummy owner

[Dean Swope]

I bought a used Duesenberg Pomona 6 ...
I was told it was not gigged and lightly used, I have no reason to believe otherwise.

as soon as i tried it out I noticed the higher note string mostly seemed dull or deadened or muted not ringing clear like the others. the second a little less.

so I parked it and ordered new strings. ... also I noted the felt was rubbed thin in that spot, so I found some felt on Amazon and replaced that which was not a solution.

eventually the strings got in and i restrung it with some pierce nickle C6 strings because i want to give it a try....

but still the string felt dead... I messaged Troy B the YouTube slide guitar guy very Kindly he recommended some silicone tubing to go on the metal bar that the felt was on and acts like a Nut/ Capo to press the strings. and last night installed the silicone with high hopes. sadly it is still sounding dull and muted until I use the slide. then the string seems clear, but in a open string its dull.

Could it be possible there is an issue with the pickup?

I am somewhat capable of doing certain tinkering with things if given proper guidance...

I would try a trustworthy guitar shop but i am 400 roadless miles from Anchorage Alaska....

I hope i have followed the rules of posting and not sure where to post this question









thank you in advance

[Jeff Highland]

It's never been an issue on mine, still on original felt.
Given that it sounds fine when barred, it's not going to be the pickup.
First thing I would look at is take off the silicone tubing and check whether the underside of the bar is flat from end to end and there are no burrs etc.
Just speculating, but could the bar have been bent by overtightening?
You could also try a wrap or two of tape around the section of the bar pressing on strings one and two before reinstalling the tubing.
Let us know the results

[Jeff Highland]

It's hard to be sure from the picture but is the base piece under the bar the correct way around?
It should slope up very slightly from the headstock side towards the fretboard side, yours looks like it is the other way around.
If so turn it around.

[Dean Swope]

I started to reply

then i Just went and flipped it around,

i see now the higher edge,

and SHAZZAMM!!!


best its ever sounded with an amateur playing it

Thank you

[Jeff Highland]

Glad to help