String volume difference question

Clammy · #1 03-14-2011, 08:40 PM

Ok, sorry if this has been covered, I searched, but couldn't find any real answers, so here goes.

I've been using Dean Markley Super Round (Medium gauge - .050-.105) on my Moser Arachnid Ultra, until today. I had read a lot here about DR Fat Beams, and liked the idea that they were lower tension (which they really are!), and people said they had a lot of bottom end. Anyway, I decide to give them a whirl, and tonight was the first rehearsal since I had them installed and my bass set up for them (the regular .045-.105 non-signature set). So, I plug into my rig, and we start jamming, and I notice my volume is REALLY low. I had to pretty much double the volume on my amp to be able to hear myself (I normally have it at around 2.5 - 3, and had it almost to 6 tonight), and the tone itself was severely lacking "roundness". Anyone have any ideas what's going on here? It was so bad, that we cut the rehearsal short cause I was distracted, and just not "there".

Thanks for any insights.

Cheers!

spaz21387 · #2 03-14-2011, 08:46 PM

adjust your pickup heights

mmbongo · #3 03-14-2011, 08:51 PM

Never heard of strings causing that. Is your bass active? Battery maybe? And like spaz said, making such a big change in string gauge and tension will change the distance your strings from the pickups. Your neck relief will need to be changed too.

Clammy · #4 03-14-2011, 08:56 PM

Pickup height is the same, and the neck was adjusted for the lower tension. The bass is passive, with an on board booster. However, the way the booster is wired, it is completely bypassed when off, or if the battery is removed or goes dead. In other words, unless it's engaged, via the switch, it has no effect. The timing on this blows... we're leaving for South America next week, so I don't have a lot of troubleshooting time.

Thanks.

Cheers!