Mixing strings to even output?

[oli@bass]

LOL!

BTW, I just put a fresh set of Super Slinky's on a fretless... and again I am amazed how nice those sets are. The 100/80/65/45 combination is really a very well balanced and yields a even output from E to G. If the G is too low for you, I'd give a .50 string a try instead of going lighter on the E string.

[jaygon]

I'm really glad to see I'm not the only person with this phenomenon...i feel like an idiot, i've messed with the strings and pickup height and the D and G just don't seem to "speak"....i love the bass,but playing full band, the notes disappear...

[Jimmyb]

I'm really glad to see I'm not the only person with this phenomenon...i feel like an idiot, i've messed with the strings and pickup height and the D and G just don't seem to "speak"....i love the bass,but playing full band, the notes disappear...

I know what you mean. Just the other day I was playing my Bongo and all of the notes suddenly disappeared. I mean, they were definitely there when I played them, but when I looked around the room, absolutely no sign of them at all. And I even checked down the side of the sofa.

Isn't it weird how Tony Levin doesn't seem to have the same problem.....

[detracti]

I finally found the setup that evens out my string-to-string volume,and I can finally hear what I play on the D and G strings!!

It is all in the pickup height adjustment... this looks kind of weird, but it works:::

Neck pickup: E: 9/32", G: 5/32"
Bridge pickup: E: 7/32", G: 4/32"

Problem solved.

[nicjimbass]

I was thinking of trying a hybrid stainless/ nickel set, but opposite of what the OP was thinking... nickel on the A, D & G strings, SS on the E and B, as those two strings don't sound nearly as bright or aggressive as the other 3, to my ear. It always seems that the tone of the strings is unbalanced... not the volume... never had a problem with that, but I think if the lower strings could cut a little more, I'd be really happy.

BTW, this is a personal preference issue, not in any way a gripe on EBMM strings or basses, both of which I use nearly exclusively, and love tremendously.

[niceguy]

I wouldn't alternate string types, just gauges. Also, where does one get a ruler that measures 32's of an inch??

[mynan]

Also, where does one get a ruler that measures 32's of an inch??

Home Depot has them for about $1.99.

[kevins]

one of the things you may want to check into is if the neck is over straight. if you have an over straight neck with no relief and play with a light touch the strings wont necessarily buzz like they would for someone with a normal attack but they'll be slightly muted. i sat for hours and hours and hours adjusting the pickup height thinking "no cant be the action thats messed up..."

though the neck is the main thing that goes out of whack per say... the bridge does after a long period of time need to be adjusted.