Bass volume trouble

[mlopbass]

My volume gets way louder when i start going up the fretboard. is there a way i can fix this?

[Skitch it!]

Louder on the higher frets, above the 12th? Which string/s, all of them? Without any more info, I think your pickup's are set too high, more info required my good man ; )

[mlopbass]

Yea. i start to notice it past the 9th fret. mostly on the E and A string

[Skitch it!]

Drop the pickup on the E -A string side and match it with the volume of the others, you will be getting 'wolf tones (overtones) too?' The magnetic field is affecting the strings vibration because the pickup is too close, drop the p/up down a little on that side until those strings blend with a similar volume to the others ; )

[Rick&jazzbacker]

Originally Posted by mlopbass

My volume gets way louder when i start going up the fretboard. is there a way i can fix this?

The reason is that strings become closer with pickups as you go high on the neck (even more if you're playing with a high action bass) You could play lighter past 12th frets. Otherwise you can use a compressor.

[walker rosewood]

yep. you need a compressor/limiter

[JimmyM]

i wouldn't use a comp to fix that. i'd try to adjust the pickups first. a compressor can only do so much, and you'd have to slam it pretty good and possibly alter your sound a lot in order for it to balance out the volumes.

[jg919]

Hi Mlopbass,
I'd try ALL the mentioned solutions (just to see what works for you)- reduce your pickups' height untill you can play as you like all over the high-fret register without too much gain coming through. This will, however also reduce the volume of lower notes - so find a happy medium!
This is where I'd bring in the compression - try to grab a simple one at first (such as an MXR Dynacomp, DOD, Boss, etc), so you can easily dial in a setting which you like for lower fret-areas, but will still keep your high-register under control.
This is the approach I've taken to all of my and my student's basses, and everyone seems to be happy with it's effect on their playing.

Compressors will affect your sound (in different ways, depending on the compressor), but it will eventually boil down to wether this change works for you. The comp I like best is the inexpensive Milk Box by DOD - it keeps my basses attack under control, yet maintains the original sound character beautifully.

Hope you get your bass playing to feel good! JOHN

[rockstarbassist]

P'up adjustment. Done.