Strange flange/chorus sound on open notes.. help!

adunham1 · #1 06-03-2010, 12:21 AM

Hi everyone. Sorry if this is posted in the wrong area, this is my first post. Anyway... I've got an issue. Every time I play the open E string on my american fender jazz bass w/ maple neck, I hear a strange flange/chorus type of sound. I hear it faintly on the other strings as well, but I can't figure it out for the life of me. I've had this problem in the past and a simple reset in the saddle has helped the problem, but no such luck this time. Any ideas on what it could be? It's becoming increasingly annoying.

What I'm using:
American Fender jazz w/ fralin pickups
ampeg svt classic

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

SurferJoe46 · #2 06-03-2010, 12:22 AM

You running a compressor/limiter?

adunham1 · #3 06-03-2010, 12:27 AM

Yes, a DBX 163X. Could that be the issue? I'm not pushing it hard at all, only about 2-4db of reduction. I've been using the comp for a while and don't recall hearing the sound before, but I just recently switched back from stainless steel strings back to nickel. Anyway, what were you thinking? (thanks for the reply!)

SurferJoe46 · #4 06-03-2010, 12:30 AM

Take it out of the line and see.

I had a lot of oddball 'flanging' sounds when I had one in line too. Maybe a weak battery or power supply. It's easy to take it out and try it though.

Notch filters can add a certain ethereal sound to the notes that aren't being notched out. It happens, but may disappear in the mix.

When you play in your room, it all changes for the worst I sometimes feel.

adunham1 · #5 06-03-2010, 12:36 AM

Yeah, that makes sense. I've got the comp going into a power conditioner. I'll take the comp out tomorrow morning and see what I've got. I'm also suspect of the room I'm playing in as the acoustics are awful, but sitting right in front of the cab I can hear it too, so who knows. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

SurferJoe46 · #6 06-03-2010, 12:37 AM

Fuzzbass · #7 06-03-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adunham1

Hi everyone. Sorry if this is posted in the wrong area, this is my first post. Anyway... I've got an issue. Every time I play the open E string on my american fender jazz bass w/ maple neck, I hear a strange flange/chorus type of sound. I hear it faintly on the other strings as well, but I can't figure it out for the life of me. I've had this problem in the past and a simple reset in the saddle has helped the problem, but no such luck this time. Any ideas on what it could be? It's becoming increasingly annoying.

What I'm using:
American Fender jazz w/ fralin pickups
ampeg svt classic

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Listen carefully when your bass is unplugged. If you still hear the problem sound, then it isn't your amp rig (though the compressor might make it seem worse if you're using heavy compression).

If it's with the bass itself, it might be a problem with the nut... maybe the slots are cut too wide.

I had a number of other ideas, but they probably aren't applicable given that the problem is with open notes, not fretted ones.

Spinal Tapper · #8 06-03-2010, 10:30 AM

I kinda get that sometimes on my Jazz or P (both have Fralin PU's) when I get a little closer to the bridge...maybe we're not talking about the same thing, but I really like the way it sounds - adds color

lowendblues · #9 06-03-2010, 10:33 AM

twisted string?

spiritbass · #10 06-03-2010, 11:05 AM

+1 on the nut. I've had this problem on a couple of different instruments.

adunham1 · #11 06-03-2010, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the replies! I just recently took a pencil and colored inside the slots as I've heard that sometimes helps with tuning issues because the strings getting stuck in the nut. Seems like the issue has gotten worse since then... does that make any sense? I've ruled out the amp (with and without compression) because I took my P-bass and played and it didn't do it.

Sounds like it's the nut, though. Could the graphite I put in have caused this? Also, what do you guys do, just replace the nut? If so, what would you recommend? Thanks so much for your help!

Kirkowitz · #12 06-03-2010, 11:27 AM

+1 on the possibility of the nut being weird, you might try a different set of strings- maybe you got a bad set.
Also check pickup height- that can cause some crazy sounds if too close to the strings!

ehque · #13 06-03-2010, 11:42 AM

Yup sounds like bad strings or bad nut. I'd check the nut first.

Is your nut cut properly (proper break angle, wide enough not to bind the strings, narrow enough not to allow the strings to move around)? Sometimes creating a proper "bend" in the strings by pressing down on them behind the nut is enough to fix the problem.

EDIT: Of course the first thing to isolate is that it's a problem with the bass. Try a different amp, plugging straight to the jack.

joeyl · #14 06-03-2010, 11:57 AM

I have a bad A string and it does chorus and flange on the open notes.

testing1two · #15 06-03-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendblues

twisted string?

This without a doubt.

SurferJoe46 · #16 06-03-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adunham1

Thanks for the replies! I just recently took a pencil and colored inside the slots as I've heard that sometimes helps with tuning issues because the strings getting stuck in the nut. Seems like the issue has gotten worse since then... does that make any sense? I've ruled out the amp (with and without compression) because I took my P-bass and played and it didn't do it.

Sounds like it's the nut, though. Could the graphite I put in have caused this? Also, what do you guys do, just replace the nut? If so, what would you recommend? Thanks so much for your help!

Are the strings wound onto the bobbins from the top down?

That puts a lot more pressure on the top nut and holds it firm.

lug · #17 06-03-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

This without a doubt.

Certainly could be this. When you put your strings on, did you hand wrap them around the tuning posts instead of letting the tuning post pull it to tension? This can put a "twist" in the string. If so, simply detune until the ball end is loose enough to let the string untwist. I've also heard that pups too close to the strings can do this but have never experienced this myself.

Jim Nazium · #18 06-03-2010, 01:45 PM

My first guess would be a bad or twisted string. Search the strings forum for "chorus" and you'll find many threads about the same problem.

lowendblues · #19 06-03-2010, 02:30 PM

Not really related, but it is somewhat relevant I guess, I was getting a really annoying "occillating" sound one time and spent about an hour trying everything I could think of to eliminate the tone. Checking tuning, intonation, amp settings, pickup heighth, ect...nothing would work. Finally disgusted, I set the bass down and walked away.

When I came back into the room, I happened to notice the ceiling fan was running directly above where I was standing.......yep. Sure enough, I turned off the fan, and the overtone went away.

Who'd have thought?

testing1two · #20 06-03-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Not really related, but it is somewhat relevant I guess, I was getting a really annoying "occillating" sound one time and spent about an hour trying everything I could think of to eliminate the tone. Checking tuning, intonation, amp settings, pickup heighth, ect...nothing would work. Finally disgusted, I set the bass down and walked away.

When I came back into the room, I happened to notice the ceiling fan was running directly above where I was standing.......yep. Sure enough, I turned off the fan, and the overtone went away.

Who'd have thought?

Ceiling fans...the poor man's Leslie