What causes unequal string volume?

Relic · #1 07-21-2008, 10:06 AM

I've noticed this trait with many of the basses I've owned over the years and was wondering what the heck causes it and what, if anything, can be done?
Is it just me or does anyone else experience this?

To be specific - I presently have a fender '51 reissue with that very problem on the A string (open or fretted). E-string is nice and loud, A-quiet, D and G are about as loud as the E. It's driving me nuts.
I've changed the strings of course and made sure that they're properly seated, I've replaced the bridge, made sure the tuners were tight, I've tried 2 different pickup types, and it persists. I'm out of ideas. Is this just some sort of "resonant frequency" thing akin to the classic "dead spot"?

PaulMacCnj · #2 07-21-2008, 10:24 AM

The setup plays a big part, but so does your playing. A light pluck say on the G string will give you more volume than on the E string. The E string has more mass and required more energy to get it moving and produce the same volume as the G. If you play fingerstyle or with a pick, it's good to learn how to vary the attack (striking of the string) with respect to the string being played.

brian4xp · #3 07-21-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulMacCnj

The setup plays a big part, but so does your playing. A light pluck say on the G string will give you more volume than on the E string. The E string has more mass and required more energy to get it moving and produce the same volume as the G. If you play fingerstyle or with a pick, it's good to learn how to vary the attack (striking of the string) with respect to the string being played.

So I would have to hit the E string harder than the A string to to get the same volume? I have noticed my E string is softer in volume, but there is less of a difference when I have the tone knob all the way down as opposed to all the way up.

UncleBalsamic · #4 07-21-2008, 10:40 AM

Try changing the pickup height.

therex · #5 07-21-2008, 10:44 AM

what kind of bass is it
does it have a p pup?
more info could be usefull for us to help you

69nites · #6 07-21-2008, 10:48 AM

is it setup properly?

Relic · #7 07-21-2008, 11:24 AM

It's a '51 reissue and has the single coil pup. It's a Fralin in there at the moment, but I've tried a SD basslines as well with the same results.
Definitely set up properly, I just cant figure this out..

dystopiate · #8 07-21-2008, 11:29 AM

Have you checked A string slot on the nut?

Relic · #9 07-21-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dystopiate

Have you checked A string slot on the nut?

Yeah and it seems to be ok but I haven't really focused on that too much because the string volume difference is there even when it's fretted.

EddieN · #10 07-21-2008, 02:55 PM

Seek ye staggered pole pieces? I think so. That is if you haven't tried one yet.

therex · #11 07-21-2008, 03:37 PM

play your bass unplugged and see if the volume diferences still there
also try playing with a pick to see if a change in your technique solves the problem
or in nothign but nothig works you could try a compresor

Relic · #12 07-22-2008, 11:33 AM

well, this is a tough one to figure out but here are a few more details:
-yes to the staggered pole piece even to the point where I filed down the pole pieces on the E , D and G strings trying to even it out with no luck.
- I normally play with a pick but this problem exists whether it's finger-style or pick
- unplugged, it's hard to say but it sounds like the problem's not there.

PaulMacCnj · #13 07-22-2008, 08:12 PM

A bit, but it's not like the difference between the E and the G. BTW, have you tried playing another bass? Do you know someone that could let you play theirs or is their a shop nearby? I'd try playing a different bass and see if the volume change follows along. If not, then it's a setup issue with your bass.

One more thing, it's possible to get one clunker in a string set. It happened to me once. A string wasn't wound correctly and it sounded different from the rest of the set. I ordered and installed a replacement and it sounded fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian4xp

So I would have to hit the E string harder than the A string to to get the same volume? I have noticed my E string is softer in volume, but there is less of a difference when I have the tone knob all the way down as opposed to all the way up.

Jorgemele894 · #14 07-22-2008, 08:30 PM

To verify the volume of the strings I use my very flat sounding EA iamp800 with a good pair of headphones (the flat sounding, studio quality ones) and the input readings of my compressor (with the compressor off). I pluck the strings with my normal attack strength and adjust the pickups to even the sound (after proper strings/neck setup). What you perceive as volume unevenness might be the string height (gage and brand also), the pickups height, or equalization/cab coloring. I feel that DR strings give me the best string to string balance in comparison to other brands I have used (I am not sponsored by DR, just in case).

Winemule · #15 08-24-2008, 06:35 PM

I searched "volume" and came up with this thread...I have much more volume on the E and A strings than on the D and G, especially the G. I've tried tweaking my compressor, but no joy. I have Fender Jazz pups...has anyone had success raising the pickup height on the G end? Anything else to account for the loss of volume? (Yes, I've tried varying attack on the strings...and I have to say that the idea that the G has less mass and is therefore louder seems counterintuitive--I would have thought that more mass = more volume. It seems to be the case for me, but I am completely prepared to be wrong...

I do play with the treble rolled way off, but even when I turn it back up it doesn't seem to make a difference. Help?

phunku · #16 09-18-2008, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winemule

I searched "volume" and came up with this thread...I have much more volume on the E and A strings than on the D and G, especially the G. I've tried tweaking my compressor, but no joy. I have Fender Jazz pups...has anyone had success raising the pickup height on the G end? Anything else to account for the loss of volume? (Yes, I've tried varying attack on the strings...and I have to say that the idea that the G has less mass and is therefore louder seems counterintuitive--I would have thought that more mass = more volume. It seems to be the case for me, but I am completely prepared to be wrong...

I do play with the treble rolled way off, but even when I turn it back up it doesn't seem to make a difference. Help?

I have he same problem, but its just my E string, it sounds huge, ive had to lower the pickup, it does make it a bit quieter, but now it just sounds more boomy when i add in the low end!!!

all my other strings r nice and loud, but just the E is sooo loud! my bass is a Musicman Sabre btw!

**Rune Bivrin** · #17 09-18-2008, 03:34 AM

This could be due to a myriad of things. Amp, speaker and room are much more likely to cause this than the bass. You need to start with hifi headphones and a flat amp to check the bass. I use my Zoom B2.1u in bypass mode with headphones, and the levels are pretty good.

Next step is to move the speaker and amp outdoors into the open to remove room modes.

If it's not the bass, you should notice the difference depending on the note rather than the string (E string fretted at 5th = open A)

Fretlessboy · #18 09-18-2008, 10:53 AM

well amp eq can make a big difference. If you tend to scoop your mids, you can wipe out an "A" string if that is in the scooped zone. There are a lot of factors that could be helping the issue. I have a pbass that I use on certain very lowend heavy gigs. I know I will be cranking the bottom so I have had to sink the pickup under the "E" pretty far in to allow for the stupid amout of lowend I will be cranking. If I set it flat (amp eq) the "E" string is non excistant. So, flatten your eq and try it. Try a flat eq with headphones. Do you use the compressor all the time? Maybe the "A" is hot and it squashing before the rest of them.
For even strings I have DR to be about the best (yes I am an endorser)... also Ken SMith custom balanced are great and even.