Setup issue??

Chief2112 · #1 09-19-2011, 11:05 AM

Having only been playing for a little over two weeks I'm constantly discovering new stuff in terms of how this whole bass guitar thing works. Some stuff I was having early "trouble" with I realized was a technique issue.

I can't help but think my bass might need some help too though. The current problem I'm having is this.

MAJOR MAJOR E string sympathetic ringing. I actually won't even call it normal ringing. Depending on what string I'm playing and what fret I'm playing on the E string really rings out and sustains loudly.

Specifically if I'm playing the G string on the 4th fret. It's like I'm playing both strings at once.

I've been working on my floating thumb technique and it's hit and miss but the ringing of the E string seems way louder than it should be. I've even noticed that the E string "rings" out a lot more than other strings when lifting my finger off of it. It's just like that E string is ultra sensitive.

I have no clue if I should have it looked at or not.

Also my neck seems as straight as an arrow. Is this normal or should I get some relief for the neck?

I've read tons of DIY set up guides and stuff but I'm really paranoid about messing with it myself. It's a brand new Ibanez GSR200FM.

john grey · #2 09-19-2011, 12:04 PM

From the description it sounds too much like sympathetic vibration. Continue to play, mute the E. (IMO) it's much better to seek technique answers to issues until you have a deep surety that something is amiss with what comes out of the amp. If there is even the possibility that it could be a technique issue, you do yourself a favor by dealing with it from that angle as altering technique will not harm your instrument and can be changed at will.

bassgod0dmw · #3 09-19-2011, 12:08 PM

A good setup will help to get your bass into optimal playing conditions, but what you're describing sounds to me like a technique issue.

You need to mute every string you're not playing as they will ring out as you describe. I like to use my fretting hand for this, basically you lightly rest a finger over the string so it doesn't make any noise. It might be difficult at first, but just keep practicing. You'll get it!

As for the straight neck, it's a personal thing. I have my necks straight as an arrow as well, but I would say that most guys like a little bit of relief.

If you're handy and know how to use basic tools, read up on doing a setup and go to town. Just take things slow. If you want a bit of extra help, pick up a Dan Erlewine book on guitar repair.

Chief2112 · #4 09-19-2011, 12:26 PM

Well I guess I'll keep working at it. All I know is that my bass sounds 10x worse than it did the day I got it. Just a minute ago I was playing around with it and even with my right hand thumb over all three lower strings, when I played the G string I heard a tone coming from it.

I've gotten a bit frustrated because it just doesn't sound right to me compared to the first week and a half I had it but I'm obviously no expert either so I don't know what's going on.

bassgod0dmw · #5 09-19-2011, 12:38 PM

How long have you had it? Any significant weather changes since then?

If you're muting the remaining 3 strings when plucking the G string, what are you hearing? It's possible to get some sort of weird overtones, but if you're muting them well you more than likely wouldn't hear a sound from the muted strings.

I'm wondering it you're hearing an overtone/harmonic type thing from the G string hitting one of the frets on the arrow straight fretboard. It might just take a tiny little turn (1/4 turn or less) of the truss rod to make it all go away.

Chief2112 · #6 09-19-2011, 01:28 PM

Had it since Sept. 1st. It's gotten quite cooler the last week or so.

As far as what I'm hearing I can only describe it as a strong tone from the E string and the E string only.

I don't know my bass just seems much more noisy when moving around the fretboard especially when fretting a note (sound just before the actual playing of the note) and when releasing my finger from the fret. I've also been very aware of playing with a light touch so I'm not death gripping the neck either.

I guess I'm just going to keep working under the assumption that my technique is crap and keep trying to improve. I go to my second bass lesson on Thursday so I'll make sure to have my teacher play it and see what he thinks I guess.

Chief2112 · #7 09-19-2011, 01:31 PM

Another thing I'm curious about is how players who anchor their thumb on the pickup get such a clean sound. For instance, say the thumb is anchored and they are playing a line that is just on the D and G strings. I can see they can't possibly be muting the E and A string. How does that work?

I know this is a technique question so I apologize for this thread taking a very brief U turn.

bassgod0dmw · #8 09-19-2011, 01:37 PM

Is this acoustically or through an amp as well?

I asked about the weather because as it goes from being humid in the summer to cooler and less humid in the fall the wood can dry out a little and it usually moves enough to justify at least a tweak in the truss rod to get everything back to normal. I'm not saying that's what the problem is, but it is certainly possible. It's kinda like when a door is sticky and doesn't close in the summer, but in the winter it's fine. Assuming you have a winter down there...

I'd definitely have your teacher take a look. They should be able to tell you what's going on pretty quickly.

bassgod0dmw · #9 09-19-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief2112

Another thing I'm curious about is how players who anchor their thumb on the pickup get such a clean sound. For instance, say the thumb is anchored and they are playing a line that is just on the D and G strings. I can see they can't possibly be muting the E and A string. How does that work?

They use their fretting hand to mute the strings. The fretting hand is the one on the neck...

Chief2112 · #10 09-19-2011, 01:48 PM

I can't really tell they are muting strings with their fretting hand (yes, I know what that is..LOL) but I'm probably missing something. I guess I got a long ways to go. I feel like the least five days or so I've hardly progressed but I'll keep on pressing.

Chief2112 · #11 09-19-2011, 06:34 PM

Well I've about resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to return this bass tomorrow and get something else. It keeps sounding worse and I'm not enjoying it at all.

I'm a beginner and have a lot to learn but my ears can tell an extreme difference between Sept 1 and today. This evening it started sounding muddy as all hell. I'll just try something different. Thanks for all the help/suggestions though.

202dy · #12 09-19-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief2112

Another thing I'm curious about is how players who anchor their thumb on the pickup get such a clean sound. For instance, say the thumb is anchored and they are playing a line that is just on the D and G strings. I can see they can't possibly be muting the E and A string. How does that work?

I know this is a technique question so I apologize for this thread taking a very brief U turn.

They do not have a clean sound except on the occasions when they mute with the fretting hand. This is impossible to do all of the time. Add a couple of distorted guitars and a loud kick drum and the noise is lost in the mix.

bassgod0dmw · #13 09-20-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief2112

Well I've about resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to return this bass tomorrow and get something else. It keeps sounding worse and I'm not enjoying it at all.

I'm a beginner and have a lot to learn but my ears can tell an extreme difference between Sept 1 and today. This evening it started sounding muddy as all hell. I'll just try something different. Thanks for all the help/suggestions though.

What is the bass in question? Does it have an active preamp that you may been messing with? There is no reason that any bass would go from sounding great to muddy within a few weeks except for preamp settings or dead strings. Both of which are any easy fix...

Chief2112 · #14 09-20-2011, 08:11 AM

Ibanez GIO GSR200FM

202dy · #15 09-20-2011, 08:16 AM

This sounds like a technique issue. Be patient. Practice floating thumb. Do not overplay.

As far as set up goes, please provide data. Measure the relief at the seventh fret in thousandths. Measure the string heights at the twelfth fret, bass and treble side respectively, in sixty fourths of an inch. If you do not know how to do this refer to the sticky at the top of the page. Post the data here and someone can give you further assistance.

bassgod0dmw · #16 09-20-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief2112

Ibanez GIO GSR200FM

How are the controls set?

You've got a volume for each pickup, a Phat EQ Boost, and a Tone knob. Put both volume knobs full on, put the tone knob full on, and put the EQ Boost all the way off then dial in to taste. I'm thinking your tone knob is rolled off and the EQ boost is full on or something.

Chief2112 · #17 09-20-2011, 08:55 AM

I keep the phat boost all the way down. Volume for each pu I keep a little below 100 percent because it sounds horrible to me all the way up. Tone turned up near 100 %. Also why would my e string only ring out when playing the g on the 2nd and 4th fret. Again a loud tone almost like a harmonic. Playing on any other fret it doesn't happen.

john grey · #18 09-20-2011, 10:32 AM

While reading this thread it occurred to me that some issues were overlooked.

What amp are you using? Is the amp a Bass Amp and in good condition? Amps have such a substantial influence on sound that it really cannot be over-stated.

Do you have a tuner? You may want to tune up each practice period. A tuner with a metronome is almost mandatory because many people "race" through scales or little doddles & this is often the seed that grows bad habits.

It's theoretically possible that climatic conditions are screwing up the Bass. But even if your humidity were 90% you're not likely to hear distinct difference in tonality in this short a period especially since you say it getting colder where you live.
You MIGHT be driving home poor technique & as time goes on those apparitions are becoming more apparent. Spend $20 and get a tuner and metronome in one unit (like a Korg or something inexpensive) and play two clean notes back to back in time with the metronome. Then expand that into a major scale as clean as you can play it. By doing that you will eventually know if it's the bass, the amp or technique. There are some very good reasons why:
You'll know that you are in tune.
You'll know that your timing is appropriate enough to keep up with.
You will be working on something that forces you into looking at technique rather than sound for sound's sake.

Chief2112 · #19 09-20-2011, 10:42 AM

Fender Rumble 15 amp.

I do have a tuner and metronome. I check the tuning on the bass daily.

After my first lesson last week I've been working the C Major scale in 1-5th positions. You are all probably right and it's my technique. I'll be talking to my teacher about all this on Thursday so I'm holding off on making any decisions/adjustments for now.

gnjpowell · #20 09-20-2011, 10:52 AM

Try muting the E with your thumb whenever not intending to play the E and not resting your thumb on the pickup. This will also help you when you switch to another bass (and you will...) that does not have a pickup in the exact location you are used to using, the E string is always in the same location relative to the other strings.