Question Weak Slap Sound for D & G strings?

[AznKenshin]

Unusually Weak Slap Sound for D & G strings?

I know slapping D & G strings tend to be weaker than the E & A, but I think it's unusual in mine.

There is a large gap between A and D string slapping in terms of volume. The G string is the weirdest out of the two -- it often ends up as a harmonic tone, which doesn't sound good while slapping in that string.

Any reasons as to why I'm having this problem? Is it a common problem, or am I over-analyzing? What can I do to resolve this?

I'm using EB Super Slinky strings and I'm planning on grabbing a new set. Will changing gauges make any differences in slapping tone? (Particularly D & G strings?)

 

[maddog]

check your pickup height.

otherwise, play and have fun

 

[oli@bass]

Are you slapping or popping the D & G string? (I never slap the G string...)

If you end up with harmonics on the G string, regardless of the note you're fretting, then it's probably your thumb technique -- you could dampen the string very slightly thus producing the harmonic or a lower sound.

 

[AznKenshin]

Are you slapping or popping the D & G string? (I never slap the G string...)

If you end up with harmonics on the G string, regardless of the note you're fretting, then it's probably your thumb technique -- you could dampen the string very slightly thus producing the harmonic or a lower sound.

I don't slap them very often, which is why I realized the issue just now. I'll double-check my technique again, since frankly I never hit those strings.

As for the pickups, they do seem close. I'll try slapping a string again and see how close it gets to the pickup.

 

[maddog]

don't worry about them in motion. Check the pickup height according to the description below:

First of all - almost all of the adjustments to string height can be made with the truss rod. Turn clockwise to raise the fretboard (resulting in lower action), counter clockwise to lower it. The factory string height for our basses is 3/32" or 2.4mm between the bottom of the string to the top of the fret on both the E and G strings at the 12th fret. The G string can be slightly lower due to the fact that it is the smallest string. Of course, tightening or loosening the trussrod affects the bow of the neck, which is how desired action is generally best achieved.
The factory specifications for the pickup height is 6/32" or 4.76mm from the top of the plastic between the pickup covers to the bottom of the G string. The angle of the pickup is set fairly level, so the larger strings are naturally a bit closer. If you haven't already adjusted the pickup or changed to a very heavy gauge string set, you shouldn't have to do any adjustments on the pickup.

On the new 2-pickup basses, the measurements are virtually the same on the bridge pickup and the neck pickup is further away, about 8/32" or 6.35mm from the string to the pickup.

could-you-tell-me-music-mans-stingray-factory-settings-for-relief-string-height-and-pickup-height | music-man-basses | faq

 

[bovinehost]

There is a large gap between A and D string slapping in terms of volume. The G string is the weirdest out of the two -- it often ends up as a harmonic tone, which doesn't sound good while slapping in that string.

I don't do any of that pop/slap thing in any real useful context, but is it possible that the action on the D/G string is very low? I do occasionally play with a pick and have to remember that if my board is too flat or strings too close to the board for whatever reason, they're going to go "whing" instead of "THUMP!"

 

[Jornan]

In addition to check the pickup height, check you EQ. If you have very much bass and little treble and mid, the volume might be less on the D and G strings.

 

[oli@bass]

In addition to check the pickup height, check you EQ. If you have very much bass and little treble and mid, the volume might be less on the D and G strings.

FYI, equalizers work on frequency bands and not on strings. If you raise the mids on the equalizer, the same frequency band (thus the same notes) will be louder on all strings. So, even if the notes that were too low on the G string will then be ok, the same notes on other strings will be too loud. If a string is weak compared to other strings, it will always be weak regardless of the EQ settings.

Now it would be interesting to know if you have a problem with "low notes" vs. "high notes" or if the same notes on different strings have huge differences in volume.

BTW, in my experience you get more even volume across the strings, if you move the pickup away from the strings.

 

[RoboChrist]

EQ, technique, pickup height, it could be any or all of those. I find I get very good results using the EB setup specs and then lowering the pickup further on the E string side, a la fender.

The problem you're having is that rays have a huge dip in the low mids to get their signature grindy tone. On the low strings this sounds great but as soon as you go up the register, the bottom drops out. It happens to most guys who are new to EB basses and what you have to do is do everything you can to make sure those strings sound as present as possible while still getting a tone you like.

I'm going to preach here a little so I hope you don't mind. The best way to go about this is first to set up your bass so that you get as close to even string volume as possible. I put my pickup height measurements below if you're interested.

The next thing is to set a controls on your bass to flat, then get the best sound you can from your amp, ie the sound you would use on a gig, then tweak from there as needed. For me, I tend not to cut the mids on my stingray when slapping, instead I boost the highs and lows a little and this will attenuate the mids without cutting them. This is assuming you have a 3 band EQ.

Changing string gauge will affect the tone but EB uses a mixed set so you'll still be getting a .065 D and a .045 G if you go to a balanced set, so I would stay with that gauge for the higher strings.

Pickup height...so bottom of string to top of pole:

6/32" under the G

7/32" under the E

This info is only based on my persoanl experience with musicman basses and I'm sure there are others who have other ideas, but there you go....innernetz.

 

[Basspro]

Not to highjack this thread,but i have a question.
I've never needed to pull the buckers out of my EBMM basses,are their any
with adjustable poles?

 

[strummer]

Not to highjack this thread,but i have a question.
I've never needed to pull the buckers out of my EBMM basses,are their any
with adjustable poles?

No.