Quiet G String

[LeftyLB]

I know there have been a number of lenghty threads discussing the problem of a G string that cannot be heard or is very weak.

I was a fellow sufferer until I bought my new GK Amp and cab a couple of weeks ago.

G String sings aloud ever since.

Strange that amps can make such a difference.

Liam

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hey Liam...

IMHO it's also proper adjustment of the Pre-Amp. Been watching the subject with keen interest for some time now. Seems that all complaints are from guys with the 3 bander rather than the 2 band EQ.

If I set my three band all mid position (flat) then yes, the G is lacking. But I find the mid setting to be the secret and suppose that will vary with the power amp and venue.

Glad to see all ok with your setup

 

[cold_lump]

ive been following it too. i have the same problem and a 3 bander. i cant get it to sing with any eq setting.
the best i can discribe it is this:
all my strings sound like an sr and they are definatly active, the g sounds very passive and p bass like. its literally from a different bass. almost as the poles on the pickup for that string are not active. ive tried the eq every different way possible even on the amp. nothing helps.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

There is DEFINATELY a problem (not fault) with the 3 Banders!...too many are saying the same thing. Not here, but on a few forums...I've been following threads on it for at least the last 18 months.

I can get around it by mid adjustment.

At the same time, I'm have probs with my E string. At first, I thought a neck prob....I highly suspect the pre-amp.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

So is the secret on the 3 banders to boost the mid? I guess it wouldn't make sense to back off on the mid, but since no one has specifically stated it, I thought I'd ask!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

My understanding of the mid is that it actually changes the properties of the pickup...in terms of what the pre-amp sees...if that makes sense. You have bass and treble...but with the mid...you dial in differnt pickups...like eg going to a store and seeing a bank of pickups on a shelf....and trying each one in turn...only with the mid, you do it by rotating the pot...instead of selecting indivudual pickups and putting each one in your Bass.

P.S. In effect....you are dialing in maybe tens or scores of different pickups for your Bass.

 

[cold_lump]

the mid knob doesnt help me. in any position. its just (simply put) the g string seems like a passive bass string compared to the rest. it dosent have the depth or the highs that the other strings have, nor does is have the volume. it sounds dead compared to the rest even when all strings are new. ive tried several brands (see thread: hypo-allergentic strings)
i suspect preamp or pickup. if there is a problem, do you think eb would warranty it?
even if the bass is out of warranty... perhaps a recall, like in the auto industry.

 

[midopa]

One of the drawbacks of the SR's is the high end - it's not as defined as the low end. Have you tried raising the pickup on the G-D string side?

 

[cold_lump]

i just did a compleate re-setup. havent been able to plug in yet, but we will see what happens later tonight.

 

[cold_lump]

GOT MY G BACK!!!!
it was set up and pickup height.
spread the word to the other 3 banders.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Great

 

[nismaniac]

I was kind of having this issue as well. After I read this post, I lowered the action some more with the truss rod and raised the pickup slightly on the G string side. I also added a small bit of mids and I am back in business. I love this bass.

 

[dlloyd]

There is DEFINATELY a problem (not fault) with the 3 Banders!...too many are saying the same thing. Not here, but on a few forums...I've been following threads on it for at least the last 18 months.

I can get around it by mid adjustment.

At the same time, I'm have probs with my E string. At first, I thought a neck prob....I highly suspect the pre-amp.

I have had the same problem with my G (3-band) It was most pronounced when I had the eq set to give the best sound out of the lower strings (treble and mid flat, bass boosted). I've sorted it out by following Gav's advice (treble and bass flat, mid slight boost). Haven't had a chance to check it out in a band situation, where the problem was most pronounced (enough that I used to avoid the G string)

Interesting factoid: Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers exclusively used Stingrays live, but recorded with other basses (usually Wals and Alembics) because he couldn't get even response across the neck.

He used three-banders

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2503&highlight=flea

 

[skabassist13]

wouldnt lowering the string and raising the pickup cure the problem. i mean any given pre-amp cant really be picky on what string it amplifies. its just a circuit board. it cant be picky. so it has to be somewhere else. i seriously doubt that if mm is making a 1200-1400 dollar instrument that they would allow something like that to happen. to me it just doesnt make sense. unless there is some filter or frequency limiter in the pre-amp it shouldnt do that. and if there was any note past the 5th fret on the d string would also be weak but no one said anything about that. i think its just the set up. raise the pickup and lower the string a bam all cured up. besides g's can go really low because of their small gauge. i dont really understand why the 3 banders do it but the 2 banders dont. my guess would that the mid control has some affect on the frequency range of the pre-amp, and it loads down the signal not allowing it to reproduce the highs as well as the 2 bander which doesnt have it. ok im gonna shut up now. just thought id throw out another opinion.

 

[Mantaray]

It has to do alot with the compression each amp does to your signal.

 

[CW Zing]

I had a problem with the G until I boosted more mids like R.T. said. Interesting what he mentioned about the mid freq. changing the properties of the pickup. I can tell the difference. Subtle, but there.

 

[spectorbassguy]

I do believe that the amp makes a ton of difference. When I use my Mesa 400+ through Mesa 1x15 & 4x10's, there is plenty of G. When I use my smaller rig, Ashdown Mag 300 1x15 + Avatar 1x12/horn extension cabinet the G is greatly reduced. Just play with the EQ.

 

[copperbass]

I adjusted the pickup on my '00 3-band Stingray last night and the G sounds much better. I can't wait to try it in the band situation and see how it sits.

By the way, this is a great forum. Being fairly new to the MusicMan world, I've learned a lot from you folks!

-Craig

 

[Mobay45]

I guess that I'm just going to have to raise my p'up a little bit more. I've tried several EQ settings on the bass and I still have a weak G string. Should I lower the saddle some? The actions really good from the factory and I've never touched anything but the p'up height.

 

[cold_lump]

my pup is sitting at 5/64ths on the g side right now and that totally fixed my problem. my strings were actually too low before and too much relief as well. i set it up as per another thread i read here in the forum and it rocks now!!! all strings being equal in volume etc. i love it even more now.