My ray B string sux.

[Rhythmbug]

I recently bought a Fernandes Fretless 5 which made me realise my SR5 B String really does sound lame, it wasn't just me. First thoughts perhaps it is the pickup (SD Basslines) but it still sound poor when unplugged, compared to my Fernandes which always sounds smooth and deep.
When plugged in, the Fernandes (with EMGs) B sounds fat, crisp and nasty; the SR5 B just a dull plod

My ray B just sounds dull and not enough grunt, its quieter than my E string.
I can't boost the bass frequency on the pre much otherwise it distorts.
Its not the strings as I've tried numerous sets all with the same outcome.
String and pickup height is ok.
I've played other ray 5's and their B sounded great.
I can only guess its the pickup, which otherwise is fantastic.

Has anyone had the same dissatisfaction with the B string as me?

 

[Figjam]

Mine is awesome. Not sure what the problem is with yours. Most people will suggset the whole setup and string change but if you claim it isnt that, i wont be annoying.

 

[Rhythmbug]

One thing in particular is slides. It retains no bottom end, the clarity & sustain just disappears. Maybe I need another setup....but I can't stand really low action on a B, it just buzzes and buzzes and buzzes...

 

[ghunter]

Wow, I'm surprised as well. The B on my SR5 blew me away when I first played it. I've never wanted a 5-string because every one I've tried has sounded flabby, but the StingRay was solid and tight all the way down to the open B. It quickly became my first 5, and I love it so much now I have a Bongo 5 on the way to me too and my StingRay 4 is now up for sale.

It could be the setup, but maybe also variance in the piece of wood itself?

 

[Figjam]

Thats what id chalk it up to. Honestly I love the B on my sr5. Compared to the spector i used to have its 500% improvement.

 

[JB1]

If one of the regulars here can't help, someone from EB (some of whom are also regulars) will usually be along to offer something which may be of help.

FWIW - have you tried a diff gauge on the B?

 

[drgroovenstein]

Maybe it is pickup height? If the pickup is too close to the B string, it can choke it out. I think the B will acoustically be quieter than the other strings, so I don't think that is an indicator.

Does the B wobble and flop around or make the body resonate strangely when you pluck it? Are all notes on the B string causing you problems? What are you testing through? Maybe your speaker cab can't reproduce it well?

 

[sandaas]

..and did you try to lower the pickup on the B-string side a bit?

When I got my SR5 I was really disapointed over the B-string, it just didn't have the sustain and tone I'd heard on other SR5's. After reading some advices here on the forum, lowering the pickup (stock pup) on the B-string side a little bit solved all my problems. The magnetism in the pup was "muting" the string because it was to close.

Not sure if this is the case, but if you haven't tried this, I'd give it a shot

cheers

 

[Dr Stankface]

You said that you have an aftermarket SD basslines pup in your SR5? If so, then that'd be my guess why.

I owned 2 Fernandes Gravity 5 Deluxes and the B on my SR5 sounded godly compared to the Bs on both of them. Is your Fernandes the Gravity or Tremor series?

 

[TSanders]

I too have played a number (more than 4) Fernandes basses.

Great basses, but dont hold a candle to ANYTHING that EBMM makes.

Your thread title SUCKS, if youre really wanting help. Its GREAT if youre trying to offend folks.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I agree that it wasn't the greatest away to approach the situation but hey, at least he's not BigBallz.

 

[bassmonkeee]

There's only so much help EB can be for a modified bass with aftermarket parts.

Get thee to a luthier, or repairman.




PS Can we get Travis' title changed from "Registered User" to "Musicman Bulldog?"

 

[JB1]

I too have played a number (more than 4) Fernandes basses.

Great basses, but dont hold a candle to ANYTHING that EBMM makes.

Your thread title SUCKS, if youre really wanting help. Its GREAT if youre trying to offend folks.

Hey ebmuscmanlvr, go easy on the fella, dude. Thread title may not have given us the best start, but I guess there's some frustration on his part which we should take into account huh?

There's really no need to keep jumping on the EBMM defensive wagon eh? We all know the basses rock and problems like this are not only rare, but usually very easily rectified, if not on this board, by Cust Services or maybe even BP himself. Let's just try and see if we can help.

Re-reading the original post - if it's not s stock MM pup, then THAT could be a reason. The other suggestion about string-to-pole distance may also be of use...

 

[bassmonkeee]

Ha HAH--JB1, my Kung Fu is greater than yours.

 

[TSanders]

You can say what you want, but addressing the situation with that title makes little to no sense.

I apologize that I have an extremely low BS tolerance. To anyone offended, I offer my apology.

 

[JB1]

No worries, man. I certainly wasn't offended, but then again I cyber-know you guys and how you feel about such things.

I think our enquirer got a few tips, and if it's still an issue, like Monkee says, get to a luthier / tech. With a replacement pup, it's not strictly an EBMM bass and therefore not EBMM's problem

Hey Monkee, I can 'Bruce it' with the best of 'em man!

 

[Dr Stankface]

He is a Georgia Bulldogs fan so you have to give him a little pity....

 

[bassmonkeee]

He is a Georgia Bulldogs fan so you have to give him a little pity....

Heh--actually, I lived in Athens for 6 years, got a degree from UGA, and never went to a single game. I was too busy setting up for gigs.

 

[Dr Stankface]

This talk of UGA makes me want to listen to Corey Smith...

 

[Jazzbassman23]

No offense intended, but when you come onto a manufacturers site and complain about the sound of one of their basses AFTER it's been modified with an after-market pickup, then I have to question the intentions of the original poster. I mean, really, it seems to me he ought to post on Seymour Duncan's website and complain about the pickup's B-string response.