Deadspots? on Electro-Acoustic 5 String

yorks5stringer · #1 03-15-2007, 06:34 PM

Hi
I'm a newby here so please be gentle

I have a Crafter 5 String Electro-acoustic Bass which had until yesterday 12 month old Picato Roundwound 108-042 strings on. These were only the 2nd set fitted and I've had problems with the bottom B never really sounding clear nor in tune. The intonation is not brilliant nor adjustable ( fixed wooden bridge) and I convinced myself it was due to the bottom B being too thick at 108.
I got some v expensive Flatwound Optima Gold Strings with a 100 B and fitted them. However now not only is my B still muddy and indistinct but also the E has gone the same too

. However the AD&G are fine.

The neck looks straight and I'm stumped as what to do next.
I've tuned by harmonics and with an electronic tuner but both the B and E sound awful.

I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions please!

Lokire · #2 03-16-2007, 01:52 PM

100 and 108 are both really light gauge for a B string. Your E string should be closer to 100. Does your B-string feel really floppy?

yorks5stringer · #3 03-16-2007, 04:40 PM

Yes thanks, having now read some of the other threads, it seems if you have a dull B it's likely to need a thicker not thinner string.
I feel a bit of a numbty having just spent £38 on lighter gold strings which have now been trimmed to 32" and don't fit any of my other basses.........

I've now re-fitted the original set that came with the guitar, nice and old, thicker and with lots of oxidisation coming off on my fingers too!
At least the bass sounds OK now, I guess it's one to put down to experience.