Strange problem with the G string

[Deacon_Blues]

Hi,

I have used a set of Pyramid Gold flats now for a month or two, and I don't know why I haven't noticed this earlier. When I first put on the strings, I had problems getting this string to stop buzzing no matter how I adjusted the string height and relief, and eventually I gave up on it. Well the problem I notice now is that when it vibrates, the sound is not even. It sounds pretty much like it interferes with another string, like when you're tuning it against another string. It makes it sound false all the time, even though all other strings are muted. The rest of the strings sound great and even.

Have anyone else experienced this, and know what is causing it? I start to believe that this is a production error. If you also lean in this direction, I'm going to contact Pyramid to see if I could get a replacement string.

By the way the first thing I tried to do was to lower this end of the pickups (Fender J) to see if that would have been the problem, but it didn't help at all. Also as the rest of the strings sound perfect I don't think this is the problem. The distance from the string down to the pickup magnets is now about 4 mm for the bridge pickup and 5 mm for the neck pickup, which should be enough I think.

Thanks for your

[WJGreer]

Originally Posted by Deacon_Blues

By the way the first thing I tried to do was to lower this end of the pickups (Fender J) to see if that would have been the problem, but it didn't help at all. Also as the rest of the strings sound perfect I don't think this is the problem.

I figured that would be the problem as well - I recently raised the pickup height on my Valenti J and began to hear the same thing - and only on the G, like you. Sounds a little like the G string has its own chorus pedal, no? I lowered my pickups back to where they were, changed my strings, and I _think_ the issue is gone for me. I have not played the bass at any considerable volume, though, since making that change.

5mm between the string and the pickup sounds like way more than enough to me. The only other thing I can think of is that something else is vibrating in sympathy with your string, and the pickup is hearing it. Maybe your G string is defective, and the winding has come loose from the core at some point along the length of the string. Also, check to make sure all of your hardware is screwed snugly - maybe there is some kind of sympathetic vibration happening there. I doubt the pickup would "hear" that, though.

Finally, I suppose there could be something happening inside of the pickup - wiring loose, or something like that. Diagnosing that kind of problem is beyond my ability.

Best luck. Post and let us know what you find.

[Deacon_Blues]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I figured that would be the problem as well - I recently raised the pickup height on my Valenti J and began to hear the same thing - and only on the G, like you. Sounds a little like the G string has its own chorus pedal, no? I lowered my pickups back to where they were, changed my strings, and I _think_ the issue is gone for me. I have not played the bass at any considerable volume, though, since making that change.

5mm between the string and the pickup sounds like way more than enough to me. The only other thing I can think of is that your G string is defective, maybe the winding has come loose from the core at some point along the length of the string, and there is a sympathetic vibration happening. Also, check to make sure all of your hardware is screwed snugly - maybe there is some kind of sympathetic vibration happening there. Finally, I suppose there could be something happening inside of the pickup - wiring loose, or something like that. Diagnosing that kind of problem is beyond my ability.

Best luck. Post and let us know what you find.

Thanks for your reply. Yes it sounds like it has it's own chorus effect on all the time, but the vibrations are different depending on what note I play. After the 16th fret, it sound even like the other strings, so this makes me believe there is a defect in the string at this place.

I'll check the other hardware too (to my best ability) but I don't think the problem is there.

EDIT: the pickups are pretty sensitive... They easily pick up the noise from my watch's second ticks if my hand is somewhere near the pickups. (I wear it on my right hand, I'm left handed, as you see in my sig).

[Sub5ound]

You should try to totally rewind the string. Take it off the post, put it on and let the machine head do ALL the winding. DONT wrap any of the string around the post by hand...let the machine head do it. 95% chance this will solve your problem.

[Deacon_Blues]

Update: I contacted Pyramid last week, describing the problem. Without hesitation or further questions, they sent me a replacement string that I got in the mail today. This one sounds much better than the previous one. (I recorded the sound of the previous string to have something to compare with).

Sub5ound - I know how to wind a string on a tuner. I always let the machine head do all the winding, and I keep it tense until it's almost tuned up to pitch. That old one was clearly a defective string.

[Deacon_Blues]

Yesterday I recorded a track to jam over (with guitar) with my jazz equipped with these Pyramid Gold strings. Wow, these strings truly deliver! They sound as I want strings to sound! I had everything set flat, and used no plugins. I used only my Art Tube Pac preamp/compressor between the bass and the TC Konnekt 8 soundcard (that I don't recommend to anyone - reliability problems). The Tube Pac was run on a rather hot setting, on the limit to distortion, and the compressor active using a low threshold setting. I love this little unit, even on extreme settings it sounds good.

Just wanted to share this. I might post the track later if anyone's interested.

Oh, and the Pyramid customer service rocks. I'll definitely buy from them in the future. Those Pyramid gold strings seem to be expensive in the US, but soundwise they're right up there with the TI's.