B and E strings sound as if chorused or flanged?

[mandohack]

Not sure this is the right forum, but didn't see a troubleshooting spot, so here goes.

My 5-string lacks definition on the B and E strings. They sound as if there's almost a chorus or flange-like effect on them. The sound, even acoustically (not plugged-in), sort of swims. Hard to describe. Could it be harmonics canceling each other out? What might cause something like that?

I've added temporary mass (me and my buddy putting hands and arms on parts of the bass/neck/head) to see if maybe a part of the bass was sympathetically vibrating. Not it.

I've tried different strings to no avail.

All opinions appreciated.

Thanks,
mandohack

[pilotjones]

Common causes are bridge saddles not well seated, and more commonly, pickups too high.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by mandohack

Not sure this is the right forum, but didn't see a troubleshooting spot, so here goes.

My 5-string lacks definition on the B and E strings. They sound as if there's almost a chorus or flange-like effect on them. The sound, even acoustically (not plugged-in), sort of swims. Hard to describe. Could it be harmonics canceling each other out? What might cause something like that?

I've added temporary mass (me and my buddy putting hands and arms on parts of the bass/neck/head) to see if maybe a part of the bass was sympathetically vibrating. Not it.

I've tried different strings to no avail.

All opinions appreciated.

Thanks,
mandohack

If you can hear it unplugged, then that takes the p'ups and any electrical stuff out of the equation.

Perhaps twisted strings from the way you install them?

Never hand-wind or twist the strings around the posts, but let the gears do all the turning and that way the strings won't get that twangy sound to them.

Just a thought.

[mandohack]

Thanks, guys.

I'll take a look at your suggestions. I've not ever thought to loop the string over the post, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'll take a look at the p'ups just in case there's something to that with them influencing the free movement of the strings.

Keep the suggestions coming in the event these don't solve it.

Thanks!

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you can hear it unplugged, then that takes the p'ups and any electrical stuff out of the equation. .

I have to disagree here. If the pickups are too close to the strings, the magnetic pull will adversely affect the string vibration, amplified or not. The results can be heard acoustically as well as amplified.

[joe vegas]

as was said, could be the way the string is sitting in the saddle, causing a strange hum and secondary overtones. try plucking the open B or E while pushing down just on top of the saddle (avoiding the vibrating open string). maybe might help determine if that's part of the issue.

[walterw]

the string twisting thing is important, especially on the fat strings.

+1 to not wrapping it around the post a bunch before you start winding, but there's a second step to that:

after you've wound the key enough to get a few wraps, but before the string slack goes away, push the ball end out of the bridge a little; you'll notice it immediately spinning around once or twice as the string un-twists itself.

now you can go ahead and tighten it up, confident you haven't put too much twist into it.

[testing1two]

Originally Posted by walterw

the string twisting thing is important, especially on the fat strings.

+1 to not wrapping it around the post a bunch before you start winding, but there's a second step to that:

after you've wound the key enough to get a few wraps, but before the string slack goes away, push the ball end out of the bridge a little; you'll notice it immediately spinning around once or twice as the string un-twists itself.

now you can go ahead and tighten it up, confident you haven't put too much twist into it.

+1

If the pickups were too close, there would be a pulsing effect on the upper frets (open strings don't exhibit the effect unless the pickups were practically touching the strings). The chorusing effect on open strings is caused by twists in the string or a bad string.

[pilotjones]

Originally Posted by testing1two

+1

If the pickups were too close, there would be a pulsing effect on the upper frets (open strings don't exhibit the effect unless the pickups were practically touching the strings). The chorusing effect on open strings is caused by twists in the string or a bad string.

Quite true, it's a too-high pickup, the effect tends to increase as you fret higher on the neck.

And, to add a bit more to the mix, if you hear the effect on the open strings only, but not when fretted anywhere, its a nut slot problem.

[20db pad]

These symptoms can also occur when the string itself has a construction flaw. This usually applies to only B, E, and A strings, which have several layers of wire wraps. It happens rarely IME, but it's not unheard of.

In the OP's case, it's less likely because it's happening on both the B and E. Usually, this happens in only one string in a set. However, if many sets of strings have been on the bass and this issue has never happened before, I'd look at the strings as the source of the problem.

[grisezd]

Not sure if it's the same problem, but Iv'e got a bass on which the E sounds "tubby", not strong, until I press forcefully down on the string as it breaks over the bridge. Might try it.

[mandohack]

Thanks, all, for the great suggestions. I'll keep you posted as I work through resolution.

[mandohack]

Well, despite the group's best efforts to help, nothing seems to be making the B or E strings sound more focused and less swimmy. I appreciate all the input though.

Thanks all.

[SurferJoe46]

Before thinking the bass is haunted - you said the strings were changed - same problem

It makes the same noise plugged or not - which I find odd but not impossible.

Shallow break-over at the witness points ???

What's the p'up layout - a two and a three, since I believe you said it's a five string and I'm moving toward a bad p'up ------------


------or it's haunted.

[mmbongo]

Definitely check the downforce of the strings at the headstock. Is there a string tree? What kind of bass is it?

[lowendblues]

Probably a twisted string.

Also, this might sound nuts,,, but make sure your not standing under a ceiling fan.

[raybone]

Are you using tapered strings? I had the same chorus-like effect on my ibanez because the tapered part ran too far past the saddle towards the pickup. I put non tapered strings on and problem was solved.

[stflbn]

Agreed on the twisting of strings. I always back strings out of the bridge hole before tightening them down to allow them a chance to spin and straighten themselves if needed. Quick top load bridges make this even easier.

I've also had a bass neck bump a door sill or desk or something and pinch the strings between the frets and the object and end up with a 'goofy' string or two. Surprising it doesn't take much sometimes.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Definitely check the downforce of the strings at the headstock. Is there a string tree? What kind of bass is it?

+1 + 1
had the same issue once on my A string. Fixed in 30sec by re-twist the string on the tuning key to add down force.