SR5 HS single coil output low?

[sb69coupe]

Hi guys and gals, I'm an EBMM newbie and recently jumped on an SR5 Dargie Delight HS. I've noticed that the output of the single coil pickup is a fair bit lower than the humbucker. Is this common or should I attempt to raise the single coil, or lower the humbucker height to get a better balance?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.
Shannon

 

[oli@bass]

Hi guys and gals, I'm an EBMM newbie and recently jumped on an SR5 Dargie Delight HS.

I hope the bass is still in one piece after the jumping action

I've noticed that the output of the single coil pickup is a fair bit lower than the humbucker. Is this common

A single coil pickup will (almost) always have lower output than a humbucker. It's natural. The question is rather whether the soloed single coil at the bridge (position 4) is also sounding louder than the single coil at the neck (position 1). If so, some adjustment may be necessary.

or should I attempt to raise the single coil, or lower the humbucker height to get a better balance?

I alway did that on my basses, strictly using my ears and some common sense, while others will recommend on using the factory specs. YMMV

Oh, and congratulations on the Dargie!

 

[ekb16b]

just another quick question, is it normal for the neck H to be a bit softer in output compared to bridge H? i noticed that the factory settings for the neck H is a bit lower so i'm guessing that's the case but why?

 

[oli@bass]

The question is: "Softer" as in perceived loudness or in measured output voltage?

I think the measured output is comparable, but the sound of the neck H is much mellower than the bridge H, so it seems to be "softer".

The factory setting for the bridge PU to be lower is probably to yield similar output level... and to keep the magnets further away from the string which has a larger oscillation/excursion at the neck position.

 

[mynan]

The neck pickup is set lower because the string's movement is greater at that point than it is closer to the bridge.

 

[sb69coupe]

Oli, thanks for the concern. No Stingray was harmed in the jumping incident!

I had a chance to play around with the bass some more and I think it was more of a perception issue related to right hand position and other factors. Comparing the single coil against the humbucker in single coil mode (position 4) showed some interesting results. The output is close to the same in both these positions, but it's very dependent on my right hand positioning. Both pickups seem fairly sensitive to where the string is plucked, and the volume and output changes quite a bit depending on whether the string is plucked over the pickup or not.

My Lakland 55-02 and 44-01 are not as sensitive to this, so it'll take some getting used to. It's not a bad thing, since i can get a pretty wide range of tones just by changing my right hand position.

Thanks again for the input fellas!
Shannon

 

[oli@bass]

The sensitivity to plucking position is what lead me to recommend the single H configuration for a long time: I didn't see a need for more pickups since there were already so many variations available from the single H by just moving my plucking hand. However, since I own and HS and recently an HH, I've come to the conclusion that you can fundamentally change the sound with the pickup selector and then again have the same variations by moving your plucking position. The tonal range covered by the dual PU basses is really astonishing.

I've also had the impression that moving the plucking position over the neck pickup when it is used in single mode yields more even output volume and even more of the typical deep low end for that position.

Also, try to work with your volume knob! It's an active bass and you don't need to dime all the controls to let the instrument "breathe". Start out by all the EQ controls in the center position and roll back the volume for about a third. So, when the need arises to get a bit louder for a solo spot, or to even out the pickup output differences just a twist on the volume will get you there.

It's something I've never done before until I read this tip by Sterling Ball himself here on the forum. I do it ever since, and subsequently leared to have better control over my volume and sound.

Enjoy your Dargie!