Cutting trough issue

[dmk]

With all due respect, it always amaze me when I read stuff like "EBMM instruments comes perfect from the factory, don't change anything on them (strings brand, strings guage, setup, etc). I wonder if on the Honda forum you see stuff like "Your seat position comes perfect from the factory, don't change it". Nobody has the same fit, nobody plays bass the same way.

My Stingray came tuned from the factory. Never had to adjust it since.

 

[RoboChrist]

The reason why you only notice the "weak output" on the upper two strings is because a) when the string's mass is increased, the problem will be much less noticable, and b) when the string's mass is reduced, the problem will be much more noticable.

The frequencies that give higher notes that nice thick sound on, say, a fender, are not as present on musicman basses. This is for all strings, not just the D and G. A good setup will help some, but what you really need to do is learn how to eq a musicman stingray, which is not the same as a fender. To be heard properly, stingrays need support in the midrange frequencies, or at least, not to cut them too much.

 

[oli@bass]

To be heard properly, stingrays need support in the midrange frequencies, or at least, not to cut them too much.

I think that's the first time ever, I've heard or read someone declare the StingRay has a weak midrange and needs help by an EQ to be heard properly. Of all the basses I have and ever had, all my 'Rays have more mids than enough midrange. But I like to add some bass on them...

 

[chuck_stones]

Cures:

A weak string (all notes on a particular string are less loud than corresponding notes on other strings -- a phenomenon connected to the vibrating mass of the string and the magnetic field of the pickup):

1. Adjust your playing to pluck the thinner string a bit harder
2. Adjust pickup in order to move the pole pieces closer to the weak string, or move the pole pieces of the other strings away from them. Sometimes, it is sufficient to move the pickup for all the strings to get a more even response, simply because a strong magentic field can have an adverse effect on string vibration.
3. Use a heavier gauge for the thinner strings

-- there is no way that equalisation can help to compensate all notes on a single string, but not affect the same notes on other strings!

A dead spot or wolf tone (a single note on a single string being less loud or lacking sustain, or being much louder and ringing than all other notes -- a phenomenon connected to the resonance frequency patterns of the neck):

1. Don't play that note (yeah, I know that sucks!)
2. Add mass to the head stock which will change the resonance frequency of the neck and thus eleminate or change the position of the dead/wolf spot.
3. Get a fret levelling and proper set up done by a good luthier -- I have a fretless that had an immensely bad dead spot on the 7th fret G string position (the ususal suspect) which is almost gone since the fretboard was levelled and the whole bass properly set up.

-- there is no way that equalisation can help to compensate a single note on a single string, but not affect the same note on other strings!


I hope this helps a bit to clear up the myths.

I've been reading this thread with great interest, not because this is an issue I've had personal experience with, but something that appears to be prevalent in the guitar/bass world.

In addition to Oli@bass' comments above, I agree that EQ will only effect perceived volume and can't change the actual presence of a note.

There is one thing I've not heard mentioned in this thread which would explain a dead note on a bass, and that's a twisted string. It's not something many people think about when re-stringing their bass, but a simple quarter twist in the string when tuning it up can result in a twist in the string's core somewhere along the fretboard. This will result in the same sort of problem as a 'dead spot', where the sustain, resonance and general sound of the note is diminished.

Just thought I'd mention it as all the rest was well covered

/chuck

 

[dasneboja]

@chuck

very interesting and logical explanation,
but it can't happen every time on a same string,
if you have problems on a same string every time
than it isn't string wrapping that cause it.

 

[Shane]

I agree withMR Oli@bass, the discusion is about two issues - weak G string and dead spots. My SR5 definitely has dead spots from Ab and C# to D on the G string. A Fat Finger cliped to the head stock seems to help a little. I am still not happy with the sound.

 

[mmbassplayer]

Holy revived thread thread Batman.