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  #1  
Old 08-04-2008, 09:17 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Very loud D string

Hello everyone, I am a noobe here but I need some advice on a problem I am having. I play an Englehardt bass, mostly Classic Country and Traditional music. I am using Eurosonic medium strings that have been on the bass for about 4 years and I use an adjustable bridge. For some reason the D string, in the last couple of months, has become very loud compared to the other strings. What could cause this and any advice on how to fix it. Thank you.
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  #2  
Old 08-05-2008, 09:10 AM
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Steve Boletchek
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Apex, NC and Woolwine, VA
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Hey Bill. Welcome to TB.

I'm sorry to say I don't actually have an answer to your question. But I do have a similar issue w/ my bass. I sort of figured my instrument just really likes to resonate a lot on that pitch. The open D is almost like a cannon w/ Spiro mediums, but the same pitch on the A string doesn't boom quite the same way, so maybe's it's something about the open D. It kind of freaked out my luthier the last time he looked at it. I think it's always been that way though, not a sudden change in my case. So my situation sounds like it may be somewhat different than yours. But I thought I'd bump your thread anyway and see what happens.
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  #3  
Old 08-05-2008, 10:52 AM
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Location: Bozeman Montana
FWIW ....... I slit a small diameter piece of Tygon tubing and placed it under the D string at the bridge on my '40 Kay. It seems to tone the D down and now the string volumes match up quite well.
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  #4  
Old 08-05-2008, 11:58 AM
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Steve Boletchek
 
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My luthier did the same thing using the small clear plastic tube thing that he said comes w/ Spiros, which apparently I never noticed. He said they are supposed to go on the D string up in the pegbox to prevent the string from getting worn down where it crosses over the peg for the G string. I am not sure it helped much in my case, but if it worked for you then it's worth a try.

I wonder if dampening the afterlength of the D somehow would help too perhaps.
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Last edited by bolo : 08-05-2008 at 12:47 PM.
  #5  
Old 08-05-2008, 12:48 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NorCal
I think it's common for the D string to be the loudest one on Engels, mines the same way. If this just started getting worse recently you may want to try a new set of strings, 4 years is a good long time on most strings. (except Spiros)

Hey Bob, what kind of guts are those on your bass in the pic there? They look really nicely finished. Also, what E string are you using there?

Last edited by Gearhead43 : 08-05-2008 at 12:51 PM.
  #6  
Old 08-05-2008, 02:15 PM
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'Woodworker - Witch Doctor - Luthier'

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Aw, don't get him started bragging about his strings again!

The rest of us have his string setup memorised!
  #7  
Old 08-05-2008, 03:26 PM
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Location: Bozeman Montana
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers View Post
Aw, don't get him started bragging about his strings again!

The rest of us have his string setup memorised!
Buzz Off Jake ! And Furthermore ..... When are you sending me your "new" bass trunk??

For the "the rest of us" (like GearHead) that don't know about my strings ..... Gamut Pistoys (various "weights") and a regular Garbo E.
  #8  
Old 08-05-2008, 03:57 PM
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Okay I'll bite - why the Garbo and not an Anima?
  #9  
Old 08-05-2008, 05:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers View Post
Okay I'll bite - why the Garbo and not an Anima?
Good Question ...... Which I can't really answer ..... Never tried an Anima. I know superman and Mike Ramsey seem to like the Garbos for bluegrass on old American plywoods so that was good enough for me. I thought I read that the Animas had a thinner silk core and would speak a more complex language for jazz and arco. I guess I assumed the Garbos would give a more fundamental thump for bluegrass. Oh well ..... doesn't matter .... I'll probably try an Anima E someday ..... Especially if you dig in your string cache and send me one out tomorrow .

Last edited by MT Spaces : 08-05-2008 at 05:36 PM.
  #10  
Old 08-05-2008, 06:02 PM
Jake deVilliers's Avatar
'Woodworker - Witch Doctor - Luthier'

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I only have a G - I kinda missed the old Animas that were just in the DB Classifieds.
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