Annoying sound at 90-100hz (g)

[basdanne]

Hi! I have a big problem with my old bass (built ca 1890-1900, flatback). I have this "boomy" sound when playing the g (90-100 hz). This over-resonate sounds appears on this frequency on every string. Could it be because of the old cracks on the bass? When I put my hand on the top, the sound seems to disappear. This sound isn´t clear when playing acoustic. In fact, You barely notice it, but thrue an amp or pa, it is terrible...

Best regards/
Daniel

[jtlownds]

It sounds like your problem may have more to do with your pickup, or amp than with your bass. What are you using for a pickup and amp?

[fdeck]

Do you have a wolf tone eliminator? I found that while I needed the WTE for a particular resonance when bowing my bass, it caused a similar boom when playing pizz. I finally found a compromise of moving the WTE closer to the bridge. In fact, I discovered the cause of this problem by tapping and plucking different parts of the instrument until I found the resonance.

[basdanne]

I have tried with different types of pickups, amplification and pa:s. So I don´t think that the quipment is the problem. I mainly use schertler dyn B and acoustic image.

I don´t have a wolf tone eliminator. Maybe I should try that? The problem is that the boomy sound appears on every string. Should I have an eliminator on every string?

[uprightben]

Have you tried stuffing something soft between your tailpiece and the top of your bass? Often when a bass has a big acoustic sound it will be harder to amplify, and you can help this problem by muting the bass somehow when you plug in. FYI, I concider schertler and acoustic image to give a darker, which can meen boomier, sound. You can also help this problem with a focused eq cut. Remedies for the acoustic side are the afore mentioned wolftone eliminator, which goes on only one string, and not necessarily the g in your case, changing the length of the tailgut or moving the soundpost. A good luthier is required for the last two, and the wolf tone eliminator will change the current sound of your bass the least.

[PaulCannon]

If it's going to work, only one wolf eliminator is needed. You can find the best placement for it by pinching every point of afterlength on each string while playing the tone in question until it settles down.

Unfortunately, wolf eliminators have a tendency to reduce the overall resonance of the bass. They are convenient to install, but to me are the least attractive option.

There are many other options. Here are some things that could help:

• Try a different brand of strings
• Replace the tailpiece with one with more or less mass
• Adjust the afterlength of the strings by adjusting the tailwire or replacing the tailpiece
• Change the tailwire material, perhaps to kevlar
• Move or replace the soundpost
• Move or replace the bridge
• Try different types of end pin materials (carbon fiber, wood, titantium, etc.), or see what it sounds like with no end pin at all
• Change the saddle for one with more or less projection

If none of those things help and a wolf eliminator does the trick, then I apologize in advance for wasting several thousand dollars of your money.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by PaulCannon

If none of those things help and a wolf eliminator does the trick, then I apologize in advance for wasting several thousand dollars of your money.

The money won't have been wasted - he'll have bought himself part of an education in DB setup!

Are you experiencing this everywhere you take the bass? As if it's only where your practicing the room may well be the problem not the bass, soundproofing should always be the first place to question before touching an instrument to 'fix' a problem

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by Sgt Pepper

Are you experiencing this everywhere you take the bass? As if it's only where your practicing the room may well be the problem not the bass, soundproofing should always be the first place to question before touching an instrument to 'fix' a problem

It can also be a piece of jewelry worn often. Earrings, necklaces, watches, or even a button resting on the side of the bass can have a resonant frequency. If it's an earring, you're probably the only one hearing it at all.