SX Jazz lacking low end everywhere but E string

[Johnny Mack]

hey folks, i just received my first SX jazz the other day and am pretty happy with it, but do have an issue.

out of the box, the bridge saddles were extremely high, but string action on the neck was okay. i left the truss as is being that it looked about right compared to my other basses.

i lowered the strings to the point where i was getting major fret buzz, then raised them to eliminate it. on my rig at home it sounded excellent, i did have some fret buzz, but none that came through the speakers. i also noticed that low end was the best on the E string, but decreasing through the strings. example, playing C# on E string, then on A string there is a good difference. i realize that this is normal, but not as drastic as what i am hearing.

i gigged this bass last night and the problem is worse in a band setting. basically i could not hear most notes unless played on the E string.

is this a matter of just raising the strings, changing the strings, changing relief, or what? this bass is stock, strings included (sounded good at home so they stayed).
am i just hearing the difference in a j bass from a p bass?
my friend's jazz does not have this sound.

i am also thinking about wiring the pickups in series, or having a switch. knowing this will help, will it solve anything?

my other basses also typically have some fret buzz as i dig in alot, but nothing to inhibit low end.

[Dave R]

I am not an expert, but a couple of thoughts....

First, you may need to adjust the pickup height. Might be much closer to E string than to G. string. Raise the pickups on the G string side.

2nd, when I got my SX I didn't like the strings that were on it. I changed strings and that helped a lot.

But I think the pup adjustment is the main thing.

[Geddy Claypool]

I haven't noticed this issue with mine. I got mine last week and setup of the box was actually incredible- I didn't have to mess with it at all. Thus, I haven't noticed any issues with low end on mine. Plenty of wall-shaking goodness here.

How was it before you adjusted everything?

[Johnny Mack]

yea i checked the height on both pickups, they were level with the strings. i raised a tad, but then they were too close, i will check it again. i will probably put on old strings, too, just to check the output levels.

on a side note, ive always been able to bottom out the saddles, then adjust the neck for low action, on this bass, the saddles have to be pretty high up even for low action. is it possible the neck doesnt have enought relief? just eyeballing it, it looks about the same as my other basses.

all conversation is much appreciated.

[Johnny Mack]

Originally Posted by Geddy Claypool

I haven't noticed this issue with mine. I got mine last week and setup of the box was actually incredible- I didn't have to mess with it at all. Thus, I haven't noticed any issues with low end on mine. Plenty of wall-shaking goodness here.

How was it before you adjusted everything?

the same, but i am going to backtrack just to be sure. i was quite impressed with the set up, too. just lowered the strings a little is all i really did. again, the low end is great up the whole E string, i just cant get it or any sustain on the other strings.

[DavePlaysBass]

Replace strings

[Johnny Mack]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

Replace strings

i just did this last night after my last post. i put on an old set that hadnt been used much and started with the A string to really see the difference. whoah. much better, i am going to leave it as is now with the new strings and see how it cuts at practice this week. i hope this is all it is. the existing strings were a light gauge, too. thanks all.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mack

. . . is it possible the neck doesnt have enought relief?. . .

Very possible, even before changing strings. I view setup as tailoring a bass to a player, so a mail-order set-up would often be incorrect. They have to go for an 'average' setup, & one size really doesn't fit all.

Try the FAQs. & there's been some great recent threads on setups as far as neck relief goes.

[Dave R]

yea i checked the height on both pickups, they were level with the strings.

My understanding is that the pickups should be closer to the G string than the E string. The bigger strings make a bigger "bow" as they vibrate. So the pickup needs to be a bit farther away. BUT as they vibrate the get close to the pickups. The G string makes a smaller bow, so the pickup needs to be closer to it to wind up at the same distance at the bottom of its arc.

So, if the pup is level with the strings, my understanding is you SHOULD get more sound from the E string than the G string (and in between.) So try raising the pup on the G string side and see if that helps.

[Johnny Mack]

also did that last night, i guess i know more than i thought i did!

thanks to all the daves and geddy.