E string is loud, A string "disappears" ***?

TaylorO' · #1 12-13-2009, 07:24 PM

hello everyone.. new person here... i play a Fender P bass through an Ampeg SVT 3 pro, and two ampeg 4x10 cabs... for some reason my A string never stands out enough, sometimes even seems like it dissappears.. anyone have an idea what im doin wrong? ive been playing quite awhile, (not a jazz or classically trained player, Punk rock mostly) and have never had this problem... Ideas? thank you in advance..

CBgaragebassist · #2 12-13-2009, 08:01 PM

Might be a pickup issue. Is the string ringing out and not going through or just immediately going dead?

bass-shy · #3 12-13-2009, 08:23 PM

How do you have your amp's EQ and tone controls set?

Mad Russian · #4 12-13-2009, 08:38 PM

I had same issue once. Here I had mixed old/new strings on my bass. Put the right strings on and they worked fine. Could also be string-to-pickup height difference.

EagleMoon · #5 12-13-2009, 08:54 PM

Is this something new? As strange as this sounds, it might be where you have your amp sitting. Try moving the amp to a different place in the room and see if it helps.

Groover · #6 12-14-2009, 06:42 AM

Could be a bad string - Could also be that the A strings is not high enough.

Check and compate the E note on E (12th), on the A string (7th) and on the D string (2nd) as quickly as you can.

If they all sound weak, then check your amp settings. If the E and D string sounds stronger playing the E note, then check the physical string settings on the A string.

Note: yes, there will be a difference in frequency playing the same note on different string, but this should help you narrow it down at least.

itswac · #7 12-14-2009, 06:54 AM

If you play in the same room each time you do this, it may be that the room is in the key of E at that particular frequency. If every E note you play swells and gets out of control, then that supports this theory even further.

I have had to make major adjustments when playing live and recording because I'm playing in a room that has this issue. The amount of open space in a room gives it a frequency. Try switching rooms and see if you have the same problem.

Mikio · #8 12-14-2009, 11:03 AM

Probably the pickups.

Disgusted · #9 12-14-2009, 11:11 AM

70% cause of bad string. I had the same issue once, just put new strings on and see what happens. Then check out your pick up...

mccartneyman · #10 12-14-2009, 11:27 AM

Is this an issue with every brand of strings? Or with every set of the same type of strings? If so, it's probably the pickup, or it could be the map settings. Try raising the A side of the P split pickup or lowering the E side -- maybe a combination of both. If you have access to another P bass, try that through your amp. Or take your bass to a music store and try out different amps, set flat. If the problem persists at the store, it's not the amp. You could even try playing you bass through headphones or aa guita amp (if you're in band) and see if the A still sounds funny.

TaylorO' · #11 12-14-2009, 12:37 PM

i have the 9 band EQ off. i use the 3 tone controls. bass:3/4 of the way up. treble:1/2 up mids:1/2 up. it is possible that i have mismatched(old and new) strings on. i use the rotosounds 66's..and honestly for the band im in i dont fret over changing the whole set everytime i break a string. Maybe i should. ok so what height should the strings be from the pups? the pick ups are brand new Fender p bass pups. anything i play on the A string just doesnt "sound out" as much. i can hear the fills i do using the D and G strings just fine, but the A just usually gets lost. This is in our practice space, which is an approximately 15x15(give or take a coupla feet) room. any ideas?

scottbass · #12 12-14-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaylorO'

i dont fret over changing the whole set everytime i break a string. Maybe i should.

Yes, maybe you should.

Once you get a completely new set of strings on there, then set your pickup height starting with the info on the Fender website. Then compare the loudness of the individual strings and fine-tune the pickup heights as necessary. If one string is louder than another, it is better to increase the pickup-to-string gap on the louder string (by lowering the pickup) rather than decreasing the gap on the quieter string.

One Drop · #13 12-14-2009, 01:57 PM

I would think it would be tough to balance out a mismatched set of strings.

Do yourself a favour and slap a nice fresh set on and see what happens.

TaylorO' · #14 12-14-2009, 02:08 PM

ok.. i thought that might have something to do with it, but ive never had this problem and the difference in the sound is so noticible it drives me nuts. Yeah i know punk music isnt what alot of you guys on here consider "real" music. but ive been playing it for years, and trust me, it is an artform unto itself. when somethings outta whack it drives ya nuts.

scottbass · #15 12-14-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaylorO'

Yeah i know punk music isnt what alot of you guys on here consider "real" music.

HEY! Not a single person mentioned the type of music you play! It doesn't make any difference to us. You play bass, you want your bass to sound better. That's all we considered. Everyone who replied to your post was offering helpful, constructive suggestions without any criticism. That alone is pretty unusual for an internet forum, don't you think?

Groover · #16 12-14-2009, 02:32 PM

^ the Man right there. Said it how it should be.

Music is Music.

TaylorO' · #17 12-14-2009, 02:35 PM

oh yeah i wasnt saying otherwise. i was just saying, as in conversation. And yes that is VERY unusual for an internet forum.

Groover · #18 12-14-2009, 02:41 PM

^ good man right there.

Back on track, check and make sure the nut is not cracked under the A string.

TaylorO' · #19 12-14-2009, 02:43 PM

ok cool, i was actually thinking about having a new nut cut for it anyway as the open A string buzzes like crazy, regardless of truss rod adjustment or anything else...

mccartneyman · #20 12-14-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaylorO'

ok cool, i was actually thinking about having a new nut cut for it anyway as the open A string buzzes like crazy, regardless of truss rod adjustment or anything else...

Raise the saddle first before you go getting a new nut, unless it's already too high. String height has factory specs, but the factory specs may not be what you like. Or try putting a small piece of paper in the nut slot and see if the buzz goes away. Meanwhile, raise the A side of the pickup and see what happens.