Weird noise on higher frets

JLW · #1 03-23-2007, 04:46 PM

I'm really not sure where this belongs, mainly because I'm not sure what is causing the problem.

i was playing my musicman stingray and noticed a weird, almost echoey effect on the higher frets. This occured especially on the D string, and also on the G string on the upper register on the bass (around the 14th fret area and beyond on the bass). I'm not sure if this is the amp or the bass or the pickup, or what. The noise that it makes is almost like an echoing effect, almost like I'm using a chorus pedal, but not really. It's really weird and I dont know what's causing it. It could be the bass or the amp, but I figured I'd ask you guys.

I tried my fretless and I didn't notice it nearly as much, if at all. So it could also be the bass, but I'm not sure.

Anyone?

JLW · #2 03-23-2007, 05:16 PM

EDIT:

I just played the bass acoustically and it's making the noise. It's not nearly as noticeable when it isn't amplified, but it's definitely there. If anyone can move this post to a different thread that would be pretty cool. I would guess it belongs in Setup & Repair.

So yea. Now I sort of narrowed it down. It's not anything to do with the amp. It's the bass. Nothing to do with the electronics cuz I can hear it acoustically.

I ESPECIALLY notice it when I do tapping on the bass. It almost sounds like it's playing two pitches at once or something. Like I said, it's a weird echoey chorus like noise with a little bit of buzz. It's really hard to explain it well.

I'll try changing the strings and see what happens. I dont think thats it though

JLW · #3 03-23-2007, 05:43 PM

Nobody?

billfitzmaurice · #4 03-23-2007, 05:44 PM

Check your intonation. If it's out you may be getting two tones at once.

doctec · #5 03-23-2007, 05:45 PM

Sometime you can get a sound like you describe if the pole pieces on the pickup are set too high. The pull from the magnets in the pickup sort of damp the strings and keep them from resonating normally. This effect is most noticable on note higher on the neck (happens with electric guitars, too).

JLW · #6 03-23-2007, 06:02 PM

I think it might actually be a combination of those two. I'll work on it and report back soon.

JLW · #7 03-23-2007, 06:32 PM

Fixed the intonation and lowered the pickups. Worked tremendously well.

Thanks a lot guys.

fdeck · #8 03-23-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLW

EDIT:

I just played the bass acoustically and it's making the noise. It's not nearly as noticeable when it isn't amplified, but it's definitely there. If anyone can move this post to a different thread that would be pretty cool. I would guess it belongs in Setup & Repair.

So yea. Now I sort of narrowed it down. It's not anything to do with the amp. It's the bass. Nothing to do with the electronics cuz I can hear it acoustically.

I ESPECIALLY notice it when I do tapping on the bass. It almost sounds like it's playing two pitches at once or something. Like I said, it's a weird echoey chorus like noise with a little bit of buzz. It's really hard to explain it well.

I'll try changing the strings and see what happens. I dont think thats it though

Has the bass developed a hump where the neck joins the body? Take a careful look at the fret heights.

Edit: Oops, I just noticed you discovered the same problem.