G string Brighter than other strings?

rnilson · #1 01-13-2010, 10:28 AM

I have a MIM Frettless J bass with Seymore Duncan Antiquity IIs. I usually use lots of effects when I play, but lately I have been playing clean a lot more. I have started to notice that my G string sounds alot brighter that the other three strings. I like a pretty dark dubby tone. This is the case with both pick-ups on and off and with tone knob in diffrent settings. I play my action high.
Any idea what could cause this big tone diffrence and how to fix it?

rpsands · #2 01-13-2010, 10:42 AM

I've had a hard time getting that Sublime type sound out of the treble strings too - it's G and D for me

With multiple basses and lots of work setting things up.

What I do is tend to just play my dubby stuff on higher frets on lower strings. But i'd be interested to hear if anyone has other advice.

I've had a little success using low rate chorus to thicken up the higher strings some but still dialing it in.

The F-Bomb · #3 01-13-2010, 10:48 AM

Is there a chance that you just don't use that string as much as the others so it's still "fresh" as the others are losing their zing??

Tactician · #4 01-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Sounds like you've got one of those strage EQ things - where one string seems to jump out or sound different to all the others. Can you try to adjust the EQ and get rid? It could also be just the way your bass plays - after all, a MIM isn't the best of leading quality basses. An orchestral musician would laugh at what most of us pay for an instrument. $2000 wouldn't get you much in the cello or double bass market. You may just have to live with it as a feature of the bass you have. I've got a MIM Jazz that I've changed the bridge, changed the string tree, changed the PU for SD stacks - still not happy. It's just basically not very good - better to take all that stuff and put on a better build bass.

rnilson · #5 01-13-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The F-Bomb

Is there a chance that you just don't use that string as much as the others so it's still "fresh" as the others are losing their zing??

Yeah, I guess that is a possibility....Hmmm
Tone of the same octave G or A on the D string or high up on the A string is so much better to my ears than the tone of the G string to my ears. The G string is so brigh and ringy it sounds like I switched basses.

rnilson · #6 01-13-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactician

Sounds like you've got one of those strage EQ things - where one string seems to jump out or sound different to all the others. Can you try to adjust the EQ and get rid? It could also be just the way your bass plays - after all, a MIM isn't the best of leading quality basses. An orchestral musician would laugh at what most of us pay for an instrument. $2000 wouldn't get you much in the cello or double bass market. You may just have to live with it as a feature of the bass you have. I've got a MIM Jazz that I've changed the bridge, changed the string tree, changed the PU for SD stacks - still not happy. It's just basically not very good - better to take all that stuff and put on a better build bass.

Yeah I understand what you are saying....
I spent $10,000 on my upright and it is a good bass, but nothing special.

I have beening meaning to get a better electric bass but something always comes up to suck the funds now that I have kids and a house. I acctually have been really happy with this bass until now. For the price it is a solid instrument I just wish I could tone down the G.

retsamaksrepus · #7 01-13-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnilson

Tone of the same octave G or A on the D string or high up on the A string is so much better to my ears than the tone of the G string to my ears. The G string is so brigh and ringy it sounds like I switched basses.

I've noticed that with my bass as well. Maybe try using thicker guage strings for D and G?

retsamaksrepus · #8 01-20-2010, 08:16 AM

I hate to revive an old thread, but as I mentioned in the previous post, I have this same problem with my bass (which I bought recently), and it's really starting to annoy me. Is there anything setup wise that could be making the g string sound way brighter and twangier than the rest? An as for my idea of using thicker gauge strings for D and G, does anyone foresee any problems doing this? Thanks,

ehque · #9 01-20-2010, 08:38 AM

You could try lowering the bridge pickup on the treble side, and raising the neck pickup on the treble side. At least, that's what i'd do.

retsamaksrepus · #10 01-20-2010, 05:53 PM

Sorry for being a noob, but what exactly does that do? I've read about, but never played around with pickup height. From what I've read, lowering the pickups on the treble side would seem reasonable, I'm just curious why lowering one pickup and raising the other would help. Thanks!

LowDownWays · #11 01-20-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsamaksrepus

Sorry for being a noob, but what exactly does that do? I've read about, but never played around with pickup height. From what I've read, lowering the pickups on the treble side would seem reasonable, I'm just curious why lowering one pickup and raising the other would help. Thanks!

The neck pu yields a fatter / bassier (that a word?) tone than the bridge pu.

prokfrog · #12 01-20-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You could try lowering the bridge pickup on the treble side, and raising the neck pickup on the treble side. At least, that's what i'd do.

Even though this option sounds rational, raising the neck pickup will increase the treble response along with the overall volume. Lower both, and be mindful of your finger attack. People sometimes tend to hit the G a little harder than the others by virtue of hand position when "reaching" across the lower strings..

Tactician · #13 01-20-2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prokfrog

Even though this option sounds rational, raising the neck pickup will increase the treble response along with the overall volume. Lower both, and be mindful of your finger attack. People sometimes tend to hit the G a little harder than the others by virtue of hand position when "reaching" across the lower strings..

This could be right - without using floating thumb technique you'll approach each string differently.

Still think the overall problem is either the EQ on the amp or something fundamental about the bass setup - or both. Try the bass in a different amp. Same sound? - most likely be the bass then. TRy a different weight of string or brand. Same? It's in the PU / build. Consider a change. I've messed with a MIM bass I have and it's a loser's game - new PUs, new bridge, string tree, pro set up - still pretty much the same bass though - still not happy. Should have sold it and tried some other MIM's or a USA, or something completely different. Would have been cheaper in the long run.

In the end you might just never be able to fix this problem. But it's unlikely - but you could be spending some serious cash in the search for an answer.

dmusic148 · #14 01-21-2010, 12:03 AM

Double-bass folks fight this sort of thing all the time, and often end up using mixed sets- one brand for E, another for A and D, and a third for G, for example. Or they'll even mix gut strings with steel. It can get crazy.

I suggest maybe trying a flatwound G string, such as a D'Addario Chrome, or possibly a La Bella 760FL.

ehque · #15 01-21-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prokfrog

Even though this option sounds rational, raising the neck pickup will increase the treble response along with the overall volume. Lower both, and be mindful of your finger attack. People sometimes tend to hit the G a little harder than the others by virtue of hand position when "reaching" across the lower strings..

Its a compromise between having a slightly brighter G string or a G string that is not as loud as the other strings, i think.

retsamaksrepus · #16 01-21-2010, 11:49 PM

I primarily play with a pick, so I don't really think it's a matter of playing the strings differently. I turned the pickup pan to just the neck pickup and it sounded much better, but I like the tone better when the pan is more centered. Perhaps I will try lowering the bridge pickup and see if that helps. I am new to the game, so I feel like I'll be fiddling with my setup a lot to get it just right.

squirefan · #17 01-23-2010, 05:33 AM

This is an issue I've always just 'dealt with' also.
I never have to cut my D and G strings when changing, and wonder if I did, if it might take a little life out of them.
Also, I never thought about it until reading this thread, but I wonder if wrapping a small piece of cloth tape or something around the string just in front of the saddle would help by creating a slight dampening effect.