Strange goings on with my A and E strings

[colinmk]

Hi,
I recently adjusted the bridge (lowered it towards the E string side to lower action and because it was really high up there) on my Rivoli and put on new strings, this was about a month ago actually. Now I notice that the A string especially and also the E string a bit when played open start at one volume and then swell to a higher volume before the ring out and also they seem to have less sustain than before. They also seem to go out of tune much more than before. The D and G strings seem alright.

Does anyone know what may be causing this?

Thanks.

[Vincent P]

Pickup hieght if I was to guess.

[colinmk]

Originally Posted by Vincent P

Pickup hieght if I was to guess.

**** you might be right actually, I forgot I adjusted the pole pieces, off to try that now.

[Widdershins]

+1 for pickup affecting tone/volume.

Originally Posted by colinmk

...They also seem to go out of tune much more than before. The D and G strings seem alright.

Not really familiar with these bridges, but if you change the height you are changing the length of the of the string, which in turn will affect the intonation making it sound out of tune. If you have a way to adjust the string length @ the bridge you'll need to do so... otherwise it's part of the sound/charm with these style instruments.

If you mean the open strings no longer hold pitch then it might be the screws themselves creeping due to vibration. A neat trick for this is to use an eraser on the threads of the screw/bolt. Rub the eraser on them so there is a bit of fuzz or dust in the threads. It'll make the screws hold just a bit tighter. It's not a perfect solution, but it wont harm the bass and is easily reversible.

I've done this before on creeping saddle screws and it works.

[colinmk]

Originally Posted by Widdershins

+1 for pickup affecting tone/volume.


Not really familiar with these bridges, but if you change the height you are changing the length of the of the string, which in turn will affect the intonation making it sound out of tune. If you have a way to adjust the string length @ the bridge you'll need to do so... otherwise it's part of the sound/charm with these style instruments.

If you mean the open strings no longer hold pitch then it might be the screws themselves creeping due to vibration. A neat trick for this is to use an eraser on the threads of the screw/bolt. Rub the eraser on them so there is a bit of fuzz or dust in the threads. It'll make the screws hold just a bit tighter. It's not a perfect solution, but it wont harm the bass and is easily reversible.

I've done this before on creeping saddle screws and it works.

Ok cool, I will try adjusting the length of the strings to adjust the intonation.

I put the pole pieces back a bit and it seems to have made some difference. They must have been too close to the strings.

[knuckle_head]

If what you are dealing with is swell then it is a tension issue. Check to see if this is consistent regardless of where the string is plucked along its length - if it is more pronounced the closer you are to the bridge I'd suggest upping your gauges slightly on your A and E strings.