Help me sort out my B string.

**drgroovenstein** · 05-21-2006, 06:11 PM

I'm moving my question to a new thread, as I don't want people to take my questions and comments as bashing or negative.

I was playing a show with my band on this past Friday and noticed I was having a sustain problem on the Low D on the B string. I thought it was a headroom issue on my amp, I was using my EBS HD-350 and Accugroove Tri210L (no, not the bose system for this show).

I did some experimenting a home, and recorded the following sample:

http://www.drgroovenstein.com/b-string.mp3

The first series of notes are B through E on the A string, the second series is B through E on the B string. It is subtle, but you can hear what I am talking about on the D through E on the B string. It has nice attack, but then goes south and strange. It is more pronounced when played through my amp. I really noticed it because I was playing a song that required a whole note, and several half notes on low D. I'm still very new to the Bongo, so I figured I'd ask for advice.

What could cause this? Am I crazy? Is it a bad string? hrmmm....

Thanks in advance

**UKFIN** · 05-21-2006, 06:38 PM

I read your post on talk bass . I thought the guys there gave some great suggestions

Did they not help ?

**drgroovenstein** · 05-21-2006, 06:46 PM

Yes and no, they helped me sort out it wasn't (all) my amp, though the room could have caused some canceling frequencies which made me preceive more of a volume drop. The post was in the TB Amps forum, so I thought I might get more information specific to the Bongo by posting here.

I did some experimenting last night with my rig, and I could reproduce the same thing here at home. Then I started playing through my headphones and noticed as well.

At this point I'm thinking either the string itself needs to be replace (it is new as of this past Wednesday) or I need to mess with the pickup height. I'd imagine those Bongo pickups are pretty powerful, and someone did post on here (in another thread) that could contribute to the problem.

Do people sell EB string singles?

**sir funkytown** · 05-22-2006, 02:55 AM

I sent you a PM, don't want anyone getting upset.

**florin** · 05-22-2006, 03:38 AM

It doesn't look like an EQ or headroom issue. More like a pickup that is too close, or bad string. Or... well sometimes... What strings do you use?

**strummer** · 05-22-2006, 05:02 AM

I raised the neck pick up to "very close to the strings", and managed to get the same kind of result. Not that drastic, but still...

Anyway, not one of my B strings have the same sustain fretted as the open string, and this is true of all of my basses. On the Bongos, it is only noticeable if you compare open B sustain (close to endelss) with fretted notes. In a live situation it is a non-problen, as the longest fretted sustained note I play is a C in the intro to In The Stone, and it sure has enough sustain for that

Ont thing that can make strings go dead in no time is if the core is twisted, but then you'd probably lose sustain on the open string too.

**drgroovenstein** · 05-22-2006, 06:11 AM

EB Slinky strings. I hope it is pickup height. I'll mess with that after work tonight. What is the factory pickup height for a bongo 5 h/s?

**tkarter** · 05-22-2006, 08:57 AM

Just my opinion but lowering the pup should do the trick on that.

tom

**smallequestrian** · 05-22-2006, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by tkarter

Just my opinion but lowering the pup should do the trick on that.

tom

Agreed.

It has been noted before that when the pickup is to high there can be some weird issues with the B string similar to what you have described. The first step I would try is to lower the pickup.

edit:edited for less stupidity.

**drgroovenstein** · 05-22-2006, 09:24 AM

Anybody know the recommended height?

**tkarter** · 05-22-2006, 09:26 AM

Lower the B side until it stops sounding like that then if you must measure it.

IMHO

tk

**maddog** · 05-22-2006, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by smallequestrian

Agreed.

It has been noted before that when the pickup is to high there can be some weird issues with the B string similar to what you have described. The first step I would try is to lower the B string.

Paul, lower the pickup or the B-string. Slightly confused.

Has anyone attempted to contact Customer Service yet?

1-800-543-2255

They may be of some assistance.

**TSanders** · 05-22-2006, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by maddog

They may be of some assistance.

Whooooda thunk it. Not a rip on you at all Tom.

**drgroovenstein** · 05-22-2006, 09:46 AM

heh nope, haven't called yet. I figured they would reply here, but I will call if I must

blah, yeah I know I can just lower the pickup, but I was wondering what the factory setting was. It would be nice to compare that with what it is now, and where I end up. Regardless, I'll be lowering the pickup(s) tonight when I get home