TI Flat dead G-string?

Levin · #1 11-25-2012, 03:30 AM

Hi! Just bought a set of TI's which sound great, and every tone on all strings are nice except the lowest D on the G-string, which doesn't last for even 1-2 seconds! It just dies shortly after plucked, whereas all the other tones last long. Any ideas if its the string or the bass? I think I installed the strings without messing up.

ljazz · #2 11-25-2012, 04:06 AM

Sounds more like a dead spot on your neck (the C# and D are usual suspects). Try putting just a bit more relief in your neck. It sounds like you're losing a bit of "energy" behind the fretted note. I have a g&l that has to run with a bit more relief because of that.... you can actually hear the back rattle with a new set of rounds. Lower your bridge saddles a touch to compensate. I run my action a bit higher anyway with the TIJF's because of the lower tension.

rockinrayduke · #3 11-25-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

Sounds more like a dead spot on your neck (the C# and D are usual suspects). Try putting just a bit more relief in your neck. It sounds like you're losing a bit of "energy" behind the fretted note. I have a g&l that has to run with a bit more relief because of that.... you can actually hear the back rattle with a new set of rounds. Lower your bridge saddles a touch to compensate. I run my action a bit higher anyway with the TIJF's because of the lower tension.

Yep. JF344's require a little different setup than rounds because of the tension and the odd gauges. You might notice you have to raise the A and D string saddles a little more than you would when using rounds. Less tension so the neck flattens out. That expensive G string is just fine.

joelb79 · #4 11-25-2012, 10:32 AM

Check your relief and make sure your pickups are not too close which can make the string sustain die prematurely as well (before you call "dead string"). I'm sure Thomastik will help you if the string is dead, in fact.. they better for $70-80 a set!

SLaPiNFuNK · #5 11-25-2012, 12:31 PM

Yeah this sounds like a setup issue or possibly unlevel frets.

Changing between string types you will always have to do a setup of some kind. Different strings may also bring out different buzzes and rattles that were not there with other strings.

Levin · #6 11-26-2012, 03:18 PM

Yeah, it was the setup alright, haha. Fixed now, thanks for the tips! : ]

rockinrayduke · #7 11-26-2012, 07:20 PM

Cool!

GBassNorth · #8 11-27-2012, 08:20 AM

So a correct set up can eliminate dead spots in some cases? This is great news, I just assumed I had to live with the couple of dull sounding spots on the neck.

I'll give it a try and see if I can adjust out the dead spots and still have a reasonable action on my worse offending bass.

Is this the proper order for this set of adjustments:
lower pickups
increase relief slightly
lower bridge to desired action (tune and intonate as needed)
raise pickups to suit

If that can't solve the problem, would going to a lower tension string help?

I can always go the Fat Finger clamp route or try some of the new tuners out there that are specifically made for solving dead spot problems but if it can be done with adjustments I'd like that best.