pickups and strings

[jim4237]

Hey all. Its been a late night and I'm sitting here in my office with my 30th SR in front of me. I don't play in a band ( someday), and I practice here at home with the SR and a new ZoomB2.1U and Digitech envelope filter, trying to learn P_Funk ( wants to get funked up). I used to play in bands 15 years ago(metalllica, etc). But I love the old R&B, soul, funk now..... Anyway, and I'm staring at the bass I see that the round metal circles on the pickup ( there must be a name for them) don't align directly under the strings. Especially the G and A. Is there a reason for this? Or is it just "bad" luck that that string spacing didn't line up with the pickup that was used?
Also, I was wondering how you all felt about unloosening(is that spelled correctly) the strings if you weren't playing for a while.... I practice at my house once or twice ( if i'm lucky) a week. My bass doesn't get much use. After I use it, it either is in its stand or in the case. Should I loosen the strings to take the strain of the neck when I'm not using it?.. sometimes I don't use it for 2 weeks. Is keeping the strain on the neck worth it if I'm not using the guitar? Thanks for all the feedback. PS. Can anyone please give me the correct way to treat the neck of "this" bass. I've heard many different ways but this neck and finish is different than the rest, so I would like to know the right way. ( oil? type? how often?)
Thanks,

JIM

 

[bovinehost]

This is perilously close to a setup question and as everyone here knows, I am prohibited by law from getting involved in THOSE, but I will say this. String alignment over pole pieces (that's what those little round dudes on the pickup are called) is way over-rated. If the strings in question don't sound weak or funny, don't worry about it.

Don't loosen your strings. Those necks are designed to be under tension.

With the 30th, you don't have to do anything to the back of the neck. For the rosewood fingerboard, Dunlop makes some conditioner which I like a lot, but I use it sparingly and so should you.

Jack

 

[robobass13]

you always want to keep in mind that the trussrod is putting tension on the neck foppisite of the strings, so if you were going to store a bass for extended periods of time then you would want to loosen the strings and the trussrod. Just think that there are probably basses and guitars that have been under tension for twenty + years, only changing during adjustments and string changes. I also agree with jack , the position or alingment of string to pole piece is not that critical. you can also try dr. ducks axe wax for the rosewood board, I love that stuff.

 

[Kirby]

Those pole pieces have such a large field, you will not have to worry about direct alignment as said above, just smile and play away!