Quiet A string - But only downwards with a pick!

[DeepWilson]

Just looking for a few ideas here. I have a custom built Jazz bass with a pair of Barts installed and a set of TI Jazz flats. Played with fingers all the string volumes are well balanced but played with a pick the A string volume is non existant but only when using downstrokes. If I use an upward picking motion on the A its the same volume as all the others?!

This is not the case acoustically and happens on all fretted notes. I have tried other bases and cannot replicate the problem so presume its not my technique?

I did wonder whether the low tension strings may be vibrating outside the pickups pickup pattern....

Any ideas???

[mech]

Whether the string is picked up or down it will still vibrate over the same place on the PUs. With the string being at equal volume when finger plucked, it shouldn't be the string.

I fooled with this a little (with a pick) and could change my hand position a little to where the fleshy part of my thumb to hand joint would ocassionally mute the note. Maybe your hand is in a slightly different position/angle on this bass compared to others.

My basses "sit" differently even with straps adjusted to the same basic hanging distance.

mech

[Pilgrim]

If the string sounds that different picking down than it does up, I'd say there must be some subtle difference in your technique. To be much too obvious - make sure you're not brushing against the string going one way and not the other.

[funkmangriff]

problem with the saddles maybe?

just throwing it out there!

[GlennW]

Try it left handed and see what happens.