I like playing on the bridge pickup of my Jazz BUT......

ninthwondernj · #1 08-07-2006, 04:00 PM

the strings are very stiff that close to the bridge, and its annoying...is this something i just have to deal with and adjust or can i take it to a professional to change this??

WillBuckingham · #2 08-07-2006, 04:20 PM

You can get lighter gauge strings. These will have less tension. You might also try playing in between the pickups, it feels awkward at first but you can also get a nice tone playing there.

Jazzin' · #3 08-07-2006, 05:05 PM

I just deal with it.

PilbaraBass · #4 08-07-2006, 09:43 PM

if you play over the bridge pickup because you use the pickup as a thumbrest, try making a thumbrest (or buying one)...

stick it on the PG in the region between the p'ups with some double-face tape...and see how it feels...

Vic Winters · #5 08-07-2006, 10:33 PM

No you can't stop the strings from being stiff there. That is where the strings end. They are in the saddle, and the vibration ends there.

Jazzin' · #6 08-07-2006, 10:50 PM

It is where the strings are the stiffest. A floppier string is the only way to make it less stiff.

BrandonBass · #7 08-08-2006, 12:29 AM

depends on why u wanna play at the bridge, if u like the tone then u have to deal with it. if u buy lighter strings and play the bridge, it would be like player heavier strings at the middle or somethin.

i for 1 likes the stiffness of playing at the bridge cause i dig hard

snowdan · #8 08-08-2006, 12:43 AM

become independent from the thumbrest thing. i have a musicman-style bass so i had to for fuller sounds. it works! i play with a lighter touch and more relaxed, and faster than before.

Akami · #9 08-08-2006, 12:46 AM

You could also experiment with floating thumb technique whereby you're no longer locked to the pickups for a thumbrest.

If you like the tone you get there though you'll just have to get used to it.

MtnGoat · #10 08-08-2006, 09:24 AM

The stiffness when playing near the bridge can bee seen as an annoyance, as you described, or as a good thing, depending on what you're trying to do. Since the string moves a shorter distance, this stiffness offers you the ability to play some very fast parts easier than if you played them near the end of the neck--check it out.

snowdan · #11 08-08-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

The stiffness when playing near the bridge can bee seen as an annoyance, as you described, or as a good thing, depending on what you're trying to do. Since the string moves a shorter distance, this stiffness offers you the ability to play some very fast parts easier than if you played them near the end of the neck--check it out.

i realize that this is a widely believed fact, but i have never found that to be true. not at all. if you play with a lighter touch you can play just as fast, if not more controlled in the bridge pickup region.

MtnGoat · #12 08-08-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowdan

i realize that this is a widely believed fact, but i have never found that to be true. not at all. if you play with a lighter touch you can play just as fast, if not more controlled in the bridge pickup region.

As with everything, everybody gets different results. But, if you consider that your finger has to move the string a shorter distance when playing at the bridge, wouldn't enable you to get to the next note a little quicker. Don't over analyze it--just play the freaking thing and if it works for you, then great! For me, I find it useful to play near the bridge when I'm doing a lot of fast and/or staccato or Jaco type of playing. I can still make it happen at the end of the neck, but it takes a lot more effort to get the same result.

jonpeck · #13 08-08-2006, 02:30 PM

playing near the bridge gives you a punchier,defined sound.This is great on disto.I play with the floating thumb tecnique in between my p and j pickup or on the p pickup but if i want punchy its got to be the bridge

tplyons · #14 08-08-2006, 10:01 PM

What strings are you using? I've developed great hand strength playing down there. Excellent tone, IMO.

Mrdak · #15 08-13-2006, 06:19 PM

As time goes on, you'll see how playing near the bridge and various other spots all around the pickups, will sound better than messing with your tone controls. Your touch, and where you touch will determine your tone to a much larger degree. Your bass will cut through the mix a whole lot better when you play on the bridge pickup. Especially, on a Jazz bass. I be lovin the bridge pickup on my Jazz.....