Pickup help please!

[mmplayer89]

I finally just finished carving the nut on my stringay and went to play it and realized there was something wrong my my pickup . Its the usual D and G string being much more quiet than the E and A. And when im slapping it always sounded so good and now the A string makes a wierd pop noise when I hit it with my thumb. Its not the normal pop sound the string should make when its hit (im not THAT dumb . And its not the nut either because its carved almost perfect. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of whether i should invest in another pup or open it up and check it out myself? And if worst comes to worst, does anyone recommend another pickup with the CLASSIC stingray sound? If not, how are the bartolini replacements?

 

[strummer]

I finally just finished carving the nut on my stringay and went to play it and realized there was something wrong my my pickup . Its the usual D and G string being much more quiet than the E and A. And when im slapping it always sounded so good and now the A string makes a wierd pop noise when I hit it with my thumb. Its not the normal pop sound the string should make when its hit (im not THAT dumb . And its not the nut either because its carved almost perfect. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of whether i should invest in another pup or open it up and check it out myself? And if worst comes to worst, does anyone recommend another pickup with the CLASSIC stingray sound? If not, how are the bartolini replacements?

I very much doubt that there is something really wrong with your pick up, and if there is you can always have it fixed. Sure, some replacement pick ups are good, but none of htem (well maybe a Nordstrand) give you anything like the original sound.

From your description it sounds as if the A Pole piece is simply too close to the string. have you checked that?

 

[mmplayer89]

strummer I hope your right. The A poles are just as close to the strings as the D poles and they have no problems. There is one thing ive been meaning to ask another stingray owner. My poles seem to be really worn down or shaved off...the arent rounded like they are when brand new (they actually have sharp edges) and i dont know if that was some kind of repair a previous owner had or what.

 

[strummer]

strummer I hope your right. The A poles are just as close to the strings as the D poles and they have no problems. There is one thing ive been meaning to ask another stingray owner. My poles seem to be really worn down or shaved off...the arent rounded like they are when brand new (they actually have sharp edges) and i dont know if that was some kind of repair a previous owner had or what.

The old ones hads sharp edges. check Gav's site (A link is in the sticky about serials).

The A sting sound, doe sit come even when the string is plucked gently?

 

[mmplayer89]

Ahh forget the A string sound it was my little combo amp (that thing has a million problems) but on my ampeg cab it takes the pop sound away but the D and G strings still have a little less volume. Turning up the mid helps a bit but they are still a little weak.

 

[TheDirtyMoocher]

did you try changing the level of the pickup so that the d and g poles are closer to the strings and the e and a poles are farther from the strings?

 

[strummer]

did you try changing the level of the pickup so that the d and g poles are closer to the strings and the e and a poles are farther from the strings?

+1

Nice to hear it was just a crappy amp

 

[mmplayer89]

Yeah that is very great to know it is a crappy amp.. and not an extremely expensive instrument. Well i should probably try the poles thing an move the D and G poles closer to the strings. Thanks alot guys. Oh yeah and how do I adjust those ? Thats one job i never had to do. Thanks

 

[strummer]

Yeah that is very great to know it is a crappy amp.. and not an extremely expensive instrument. Well i should probably try the poles thing an move the D and G poles closer to the strings. Thanks alot guys. Oh yeah and how do I adjust those ? Thats one job i never had to do. Thanks

You adjust the pick up height, not the individual pole pieces.
Another thing: What strings do you have on there? I put anonter brand on my bass, and it was 45-65-85-105-135 instead of the 45-65-80-100-130 EB Slinkys that I usually use, and that sure made my E and B strings too loud.

 

[mmplayer89]

I have the ernie ball power slinkys on right now 55 75 90 110. I know their heavy but they are the only ones I dont break. But they have never seemed to change the volume of individual strings until now. Since you have sent that message about the poles i noticed my G string pole is way low and I want to move just that pole up if I could because if they all move, they will still be closer than the G making it still not as loud.

 

[mmplayer89]

To answer my own question....I just looked on another site and saw that these poles arent meant to be adjusted. Although you can if you break the glue seal and im just stupid enough to try that. But im not just gonna jump into it im gonna open it up and check the situation out first. Any last requests?

 

[strummer]

To answer my own question....I just looked on another site and saw that these poles arent meant to be adjusted. Although you can if you break the glue seal and im just stupid enough to try that. But im not just gonna jump into it im gonna open it up and check the situation out first. Any last requests?

Don't bang on the pole pieces with a big hammer.
Seriously, I think that if you are careful you should be fine. Watch it so that you don't break the wiring.
Otoh, I had no idea the magnets poles were glued in, so my advice would be to PM Musicman Nut and ask him. He has a lot of experience with old MM Pick Ups.

 

[strummer]

I have the ernie ball power slinkys on right now 55 75 90 110.

power slinkys are great! Notice how the G and D strings are 0.020 in difference, and then nte D and A are only 0.015 apart. i *think* that is why EB strings have such great string to string balance.

 

[strummer]

HOLD IT!

If your bass is from 1989, call EBMM customer service!

 

[jongitarz]

Please take your bass to a tech...Do not move the pole pieces. If you must do something, just raise that side of the pickup...You are scaring me, bro!

 

[mmplayer89]

yeah guys i checked it out i dont need to rip it apart. Thats just something my curiosity would lead me to. But it should be fine if i just raise the right half of the pickup but that G is pretty far down there almost in the cover. But its not an 89 either its a 2001. I wish it was 89, it would be as old as me! But what would happen if it was an 89?

 

[mmplayer89]

Oh yeah and these power slinkys are great . I always break strings because I like the way it sounds when I play hard on a stingray. So i bought a pack of these to see if they could fit with me and of course they were strong enough but i realized they have a heavier and bassier sound to them and a little more punchy in my opinion than the regulars which i used to use. But dont kill me..regulars are still great!! Who am i kidding everything ernie ball makes is great!

 

[tkarter]

yeah guys i checked it out i dont need to rip it apart. Thats just something my curiosity would lead me to. But it should be fine if i just raise the right half of the pickup but that G is pretty far down there almost in the cover. But its not an 89 either its a 2001. I wish it was 89, it would be as old as me! But what would happen if it was an 89?

It would be older.

You sure you cut the nut correctly?

tk

 

[mmplayer89]

Yeah the nut is right believe it or not. I figured it could be a super small cut but its right, the actions right but i raised it up like you guys said and it works fine. What would i do without you guys. Thank god i registered. If u want a picture of that nut ill post one. I still cant believe i actually didnt mess it up!

 

[tkarter]

Yeah the nut is right believe it or not. I figured it could be a super small cut but its right, the actions right but i raised it up like you guys said and it works fine. What would i do without you guys. Thank god i registered. If u want a picture of that nut ill post one. I still cant believe i actually didnt mess it up!

Naw, if you are happy them I am also. That raising pole pieces stuff scared me a good deal though.

Have some fun playing it.


tk