Inaudible D and G string.

[Frohman]

I'm having troubles on my new EBMM Bongo. Sounds great on the three upper strings, absolutely fantastic, they have a massive drive and the fills alot of musical space, but when I move down one string from there, I completely fade and everything is just so thin and piano-ish. I've tried cranking the mids, but it just doesn't really do the trick.

Is the only way to achieve a proper thick sound on the lighter strings to go flats? I mean, when the bongo cant do it... What do you do? Or am I just oversensitive about my sound, and people listening cant tell difference for sh*t?

[Awesomenaut]

In before the whole "magnets don't line up with the strings argument"

[Joe Smithberger]

Strings?

[darkstorm]

Roundwounds can get wonderfully thick sound. The pups if adjusting them doesnt fix the problem would be what Id concider at fault. Perhaps somethings defective in either the pups or electronics in your particuliar bass?

[puddin tame]

sounds like a pickup thing

[jpTron]

Make the pickups higher under those strings

[steve_rolfeca]

What happens if you play the same pitch, but find it on a lower string, by moving up the fretboard?

If the E and A strings sound good all the way up and down the fretboard, but the D and G strings always sound bad, then it could be a setup issue (pickup adjusted too low on the treble side, or a bad piezo bridge saddle).

On the other hand, if the issue turns out to be pitch-dependent rather than string-dependent, then take a look at your EQ settings. Too much mid scoop on your bass, amp, or cabs, can make the upper register sound thin and clanky. Even if your bass is perfectly set up...

[kenfxj]

Originally Posted by jpTron

Make the pickups higher under those strings

Yup.

[wengr]

same thing here with a stingray classic, beautiful big E and A, the thinner strings don't compare at all. String brand is the oem ernie ball.

[Johnius]

You may have a pickup height problem. But you say the instrument is new. When my stingray was new the onboard treble control sounded like another mid control, but as the strings broke in and I became used to the bass, my perception changed. Rather than start making a adjustments that probably aren't necessary, give it a month of play time and then reasses.

MMs have a reputation for having weak G and sometimes D strings. My experience says it's a bad rap. Try time first.

EDIT: Also, I think Slinky strings are no good - tinny and thin. Go DR or GHS.

[Caca de Kick]

Amp eq is what I think it is. Also, have another bassist play it and see if it still sounds thin.