1 string lacks brightness of others - Question to Techs.

Gear_Junky · #1 02-09-2008, 05:47 PM

Hi, All.

I recently bought a Dean Playmate EAB acoustic bass. I really like its unplugged sound - it's deep and low, but with roundwounds it has nice bright overtones to it - even sounds great slapped.

I also just installed Martin SP acoustic bronze strings on it. And while all the other strings sound great, the A string lacks any bright edge, almost like a flatwound. It tunes fine, is low and deep, but totally lacks any attack/brightness. I tried loosening it and re-seating it, but it didn't help.

This didn't exist with stock strings, so could this be a defective string? I could maybe put another string in place of it to rule out any problems under the saddle?

Visually the string doesn't seem to have any defects and I am used to Martin's quality being fairly consistent.

Any thoughts?

thanks!

projectMalamute · #2 02-09-2008, 05:49 PM

It absolutely could be a defective string. It happens.

Jim Carr · #3 02-09-2008, 06:37 PM

Could greater string tension have changed the relief/action? This might have such an effect, in my experience (with EB).

Gear_Junky · #4 02-09-2008, 07:05 PM

nah, i think i got about the same gauge strings. and the other strings are fine. action is about same. it sounds like tone transmission problem, but i can't figure out where.

Gear_Junky · #5 02-10-2008, 07:14 PM

i removed the A string yesterday and put on the old stock string and it has no problems. So I sent Martin an email about the defective string, we'll see how they handle it.

the other SP's sound marvelous - deep lows with plenty of transiency to cut through. Love 'em.

**embellisher** · #6 02-12-2008, 01:24 AM

If you want people who are experienced at Setup and Repair issues, then our Setup and Repair forum is where you should post. Moved.

Gear_Junky · #7 02-13-2008, 09:35 AM

thanks for moving, i guess...

i got an email from Martin today, promising to send me a new set. We'll see how cheap they actually are - whether they'll send 1 or 2 sets.

Gear_Junky · #8 02-18-2008, 01:47 PM

promptly received 1 set from Martin. Haven't put it on yet.

ProfGumby · #9 02-18-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gear_Junky

thanks for moving, i guess...

i got an email from Martin today, promising to send me a new set. We'll see how cheap they actually are - whether they'll send 1 or 2 sets.

I wouldn't call them cheap if you have one bad string and they sent you a whole new set......

Curious to see if the new strings solved the problem.

Gear_Junky · #10 03-10-2008, 02:04 PM

Ok, the A-string from the new set didn't solve the problem, which most likely rules out problems with strings.

Called the local tech at Sam Ash and he didn't know what it could be.

I will, of course, look under the saddle next time I remove strings, but I really don't see how heavier strings would cause this. If anything, they should give more pressure and better contact.

any more ideas, anyone?

re: Martin being cheap, of course I don't mean that seriously, but sending a whole set isn't overly generous either - just normal customer service

Maybe I should also try a light gauge set.

Thanks!

Gear_Junky · #11 03-22-2008, 10:48 AM

Funny how things work sometimes

I was referred to Frets.com in an unrelated thread. I've known about the website, but didn't think i'd find the particular problem/solution there.

still, looking through "buzz diagnostics" i found one potential reason for a dull string: a loose tuning key! The thing is: it's hard to notice if it's loose unless you remove the string.

Sure enough, they were all loose! I tightened them (both, the screws on the back of the headstock and the hex-nuts on the front). I would never even guess that, because the tuners are beyond the nut and who would've thunk that they can affect tone?

I should also point out: the old trick about twisting the string a few times to "tighten" the windings - I may have been overdoing that, which also contributed to the problem! I would twist is 5-6 times, as much as I physically could. Now I maybe give it one twist. I'm guessing that this trick is perhaps "outdated" - quality strings probably don't suffer from loose windings.

So now my bass sounds fantastic with Martin SP mediums - it's nice and deep sounding, but also "modern" (like an electric bass) and even sounds great for slap/pop (not that I play that way, but I sometimes just mess around).

I am glad I haven't given up! This bass is a great deal after all.