Problem with my MTD

Melvin7822 · #1 07-03-2006, 05:43 PM

About two weeks or so ago, I noticed the output of my A-string on my MTD Kingston Heir Active 5 was a little weaker compared to the other strings. And so I figured maybe it was a dead string and today I replaced the strings.

After having strung up the bass I still noticed the same problem. I checked the action and the relief and everything checks out fine. I checked for torsion at the bridge and good tension at the zero fret.

Overall it sounds like the string is being choked a little. It starts to speak, but then backs off. I did notice in particular that there is a slight amount more buzzing when the A-string is plucked than with the other 4 strings.

Could this probably be an issue related to the zero fret or the spacer nut? What do you recommend I do?

Melvin7822 · #2 07-03-2006, 07:08 PM

::bump::

Yvon · #3 07-03-2006, 07:47 PM

is the bass active or passive?
Put the EQ on the bass and amp flat, do you still have the same problem?
Do you hear the problem unpluged?

Melvin7822 · #4 07-04-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

OK, let's review:

1) You start this exact same thread earlier today (perhaps even yesterday).
2) You bump it.
3) I find it this morning and move it to Pickups with the explanation that you would perhaps get more views (and hopefully answers) from the electronics whiz(es).
4) I boot on 12 hrs later to find that you've deleted the original and started another back here in Setup.

So what exactly happened here?

Josh,
I do apologize but it wasn't meant to be a pickup issue in the first place. So I reposted it where I needed it to be and took out the little blurb about the pickups.

Melvin7822 · #5 07-04-2006, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvon

is the bass active or passive?
Put the EQ on the bass and amp flat, do you still have the same problem?
Do you hear the problem unpluged?

The bass is active. I have the same problem with the EQ flat and I hear the problem when unplugged.

Melvin7822 · #6 07-04-2006, 10:13 AM

Josh,
Do you think my problem with my A-string might be related to the fact that I'm using an 80 instead of an 85?

Melvin7822 · #7 07-05-2006, 03:34 PM

Josh,

1) It happens throughout the whole string.

2) There is a little wear in the A-string slot. Also, the string has worn a small notch into the zero fret.

3) There is a pretty good break over the zero fret and pushing down in said area does not offer any improvement.

Pocket1 · #8 07-05-2006, 08:07 PM

you know- i tried one today at GGuitars, and it had the SAME problem. the output was much lower on the A string than any other string. I tried a 4 and a 5, only occured on the 4, and the problem went away when i rolled the pan 100% on the neck pup. hope this helps in some way....

Melvin7822 · #9 07-05-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Well, that didn't get us any closer, now did it?

2 more:

1) To your knowledge, was the A string always doing this or is it a new occurence?

2) Sometimes strings "twist" while stringing the bass up. You might try taking the A string off and merely restringing it, being very careful not to let the string twist in any way.

1) As far as I can remember, it has always done this with A-string.

2) I did restring the A-string again. I have become familiar with torsion in these situations.

I just wonder if it has anything to do with the notches worn into the zero fret and the slight dilapidation at the nut.

steveb98 · #10 07-05-2006, 08:50 PM

I own a MTD Saratoga and of the one great thing about MTD is Micheal Tobias is great about helping people with his basses. I would suggest going to the MTD website and shoot an email off to Michael describing your problem.

Melvin7822 · #11 07-06-2006, 05:36 AM

Thanks Steve, but I already am working with Mike on this one. I had actually driven 3 hours to his shop about three weeks ago and he had made some repairs for me.

Melvin7822 · #12 07-06-2006, 05:39 PM

I know Mike had to have noticed the notches worn into the zero fret, but he said that's to be expected.

I just don't like that the nut on the Kingston's is made of plastic. The A string sits the same as any other string. It's just that at the nut there is noticeable wear to the sides of the string. It makes me wonder if that allows the string a little extra movement that shouldn't be there.

pkr2 · #13 07-07-2006, 07:12 AM

Good suggestions but I suggest that you can know for certain if it's a nut/zero fret prob.

If the problem occurs only on open notes chances are very high that the problem is with the nut/zero fret. If the output is weaker on fretted notes too, the problem is not with the zero fret or the nut. fretting anywhere on the Fingerboard effectively takes the nut/zero fret out of the equation.

Just off the top of my head, I would try changing the pup heigth. Either too high or too low can cause problems. The magnetic force on the string, if the spacing is too close, it can dampen the vibration causing either a "choked" string or a note that "warbles". The result of a string that is too far from the PUP will, obviously, cause a weakened output.

Melvin7822 · #14 07-07-2006, 04:16 PM

I'm not so sure about this being related to pickup height. My reasoning is because if that was the cause, then I would have more than one weak sounding string. Other than that I have tried raising and lowering the pickups only to find that the problem remains the same.

What I do hear going on is a little excess buzzing at the zero fret when I pluck the open string.

pkr2 · #15 07-07-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melvin7822

I'm not so sure about this being related to pickup height. My reasoning is because if that was the cause, then I would have more than one weak sounding string. Other than that I have tried raising and lowering the pickups only to find that the problem remains the same.

What I do hear going on is a little excess buzzing at the zero fret when I pluck the open string.

Then it wouldn't be the PUP heigth, of course.

Try fretting it in the third fret while checking for a tiny amount of clearance between the second fret and the string. If the string is barely touching the second fret, the problem is the slight notch in the zero fret.

You may need a good light and a magnifying glass to see the clearance becuse the normal clearance is only around the thickness of a piece of paper. Another quick way to check it is to put a small tab of paper under the string at the zero fret. if the buzz clears up it is definitely the notched zero fret.

Melvin7822 · #16 07-14-2006, 07:50 PM

Well it looks like I'm gonna make arrangements with Mike to get this problem taken care once and for all. With all the work I've put into this bass, I could've put the down payment on a 535 =) Unfortunately, he's at a trade show until the 28th so I'll have to wait two weeks to get this hashed out.

Sean Baumann · #17 03-06-2007, 01:38 PM

Melvin, so what was the solution?

Scott in Dallas · #18 03-06-2007, 02:49 PM

Sorry for jumping in here so late, but has anyone actually suggested raising the A string and seeing if the problem goes away? I don't know what the radius is but if the A is set level with the E and D strings, it's might be a scoche too low and it's bottoming out somewhere.

SSCBA · #19 05-01-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Baumann

Melvin, so what was the solution?

+1!
Could you fix it?

(sorry for jumping so late)

Melvin7822 · #20 05-24-2007, 10:45 AM

Well, I know an update was well overdo. I had taken the MTD to the shop on Monday to have a little bit of work done. I had the bridge replaced with a Hipshot A and the spacer nut replaced with bone (to replace that crappy plastic). The problem is still there, so I'm going back in today to see what can be done.

Another insteresting note is that other brands of strings make the problem worse. I put on a DR set and the problem was much worse (same gauge A too). The MTD strings seem to be the best set for the bass so far.