Help me sort out my B string.

[tkarter]

My system would be to lower that pup until the string sounded like it should and be happy.

tk

 

[Mobay45]

My system would be to lower that pup until the string sounded like it should and be happy.

tk

Now you're talkin'.

I'm one of those that doesn't measure. I just adjust until things are the way I like them and the sound is good.

 

[drgroovenstein]

Hey, I work in IT, I like things to be repeatable

... And I like to know if my stuff is "out of spec."

I can't help it, I was a math major.

 

[tkarter]

Welcome to the old farts club. We can't see good enuff to read the small marks so we go the other route.
Make it sound right then measure. You it may always be raised back up.
tk

 

[Mobay45]

Welcome to the old farts club. We can't see good enuff to read the small marks so we go the other route.
Make it sound right then measure. You it may always be raised back up.
tk

That's right. As long as the adjustments are reversable, who cares.

 

[drgroovenstein]

you all crack me up, it isn't a matter of me finding out what to adjust it to before I do anything. It is wanting to know that the default is so I can compare where I "ear-ball" it to. Is that a word? It should be!

 

[tkarter]

That's what we're here for.

tk

 

[Mobay45]

"Ear-ball" sounds like something you would have to pay extra for with a prostitute.

 

[tadawson]

you all crack me up, it isn't a matter of me finding out what to adjust it to before I do anything. It is wanting to know that the default is so I can compare where I "ear-ball" it to. Is that a word? It should be!

All the default poop can be found here: http://www.ernieball.com/site/faq_bass.php

Ironically, they didn't put this stuff on the MusicMan page - it's on the base Ernie Ball page, so it doesn't really jump out at you . . . . There is an SR5 entry at the top, and a much more detailed overall setup description a few pages down . . . .

- Tim

 

[drgroovenstein]

http://www.drgroovenstein.com/b-string2.mp3

ok, take 2

 

[tkarter]

Better but you need to lower the pup some more.


IMHO
tk

 

[drgroovenstein]

Man, it's pretty low now. I feel like I'm losing punch I guess that is why whomever raised it, raised it.

I'll lower some more and see what happened

A good side effect is that it isn't in the way of slapping heheh

 

[tkarter]

One question. Do you pur you fingers on the fret or behined it? Or in the middle like a guitar player?

It sounded good to me right down to the lower notes. Just like fretless but even fretted basses can sound off.

Did it get quiet and then you nailed the lower notes?

Do you have the treble up?

Info will solve the problem

You, like the bongo then time for you to learn from asking.

It is not your bongo's fault unless I am full of sheet.


tk

 

[drgroovenstein]

When I fret the notes, I get my finger right up close to the fret. Definitely nowhere close to the middle.

What do you mean by "Did it get quiet and then you nailed the lower notes." ??

 

[tkarter]

Take a bit of relief out then it sounded good up high and like ass down low. take it out until you hear a buzz some place. Do so slowly of course.

tk

 

[drgroovenstein]

You saying that taking relief out will make my lower notes sound better? Ok, I can try that..

 

[tkarter]

Yeah that is what I am saying. The strings are still too close to the bottom frets unless. You have a noticable bow in the neck then go the exact other way.


tk

 

[drgroovenstein]

Yeah that is what I am saying. The strings are still too close to the bottom frets unless. You have a noticable bow in the neck then go the exact other way.


tk

Eh? What bottom frets? I'll measure the relief, but I don't think it is that much. probably around a business card or slightly more.

How could you tell from my recording that I need to alter the neck relief?

 

[tkarter]

Okay my take. It sounds like the frets nearest the nut are not right. The rest sounded okay to me.

If you have the relief right then there are other things to look at for sure. Don't raise the pup back up as it is getting better IMHO.

Maybe raise the strings or maybe get a new tape measure I am not sure.

I just know that if I were playing that I would crank the truss rod wheel back almost a hole towards me while the bass is strapped.

If that doesn't work back to square one and I will shut up.

By back I mean one hole more relief in the neck. Counter clockwise turn of the wheel.

tu intiende?

tk

 

[drgroovenstein]

Ok, thanks for the explanation. I'll report back with results. I appreciate the ideas, you all rock.

Thanks tk!