Difference in volume between strings?

[Surly]

I've heard a lot of there being a volume difference between strings on a Stingray, especially the G String being weak. I haven't played a thousand different basses, but I would think it may be almost normal since the E is always louder, especially when slapping. Anyway I do not seem to notice this on mine. Also I noticed that the factory setup has the G closer to the pickup than the others. Wouldn't this correct the problem? Or was this just an old school 2-band problem?

 

[strummer]

Ummm, mostly a user problem, since correct pick up height makes the "problem" non-existent.

 

[nottswarwick]

well, mine too does this. But I use a EMS Multicomp anyway, and in tweaking the multiband setting, I have all but eliminated it. I just recorded an A-B test into Cubase, and had a look at the waveforms in Wavelab, in order be a bit more scientific about things, and sure enough, quiter G and D without compression, nice even wave sizes all round with the compressor on. Plus comressors are the way forward live (IMHO, obviously).

Just thought I would throw this in, as there are a million entries all over the web about this..

Best Regards

Chris

 

[73jbass]

I remember BP addressing this issue a while back.,but don't remember the details.I had the weak D and G sting on 3 Sterlings several years ago. All setup to factory specs. Aftermarket pickups fixed the issue.The ones I own now don't have that issue.

 

[the unrepentant]

This happens to my sub but if i took the time to set it up properly it would probably be ok.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I've owned a few Rays and 2 Bongo's and have never had this problem.

A good Bass Tech I'll bet could get to the bottom of this in a hurry.

It could be a pickup height issue, or a bad G string. If the D string is weak also I'd put my money on pickup height adjustment........

OMB

 

[oli@bass]

Most probably it's a combination of too much action and wrong pickup adjustment. Pickups are very sensitive on the distance from the string, it' something like half the distance will give you ten times the output!

So if your D & G strings are just a little higher, or the pickup is a little lower that will already give you a perceivable difference.

IME, it also depends on string makes and gauges.