Poor G Sustain

moopants · #1 03-12-2009, 10:19 PM

So recently I've been having problems with the sustain on my G and sort of D string. The difference in note length isn't that noticeable acoustically, but when I plug in to an amp, the notes on the E, A and usually D hold out awhile, but the G string notes sound "pinched" and hardly last at all. I tried two different pickups and different amps, and also a different bass with the same amp/pickup combo and I didn't have that problem, so I doubt it's an electrical problem, but I could be wrong. Is something wrong with my bass? Btw I have a 2008 Upton Hybrid

Rvl · #2 03-13-2009, 01:34 AM

This is probably unrelated but I was just thinking
When I play plugged in I tend to play softer and not pluck the string as hard
My G is a little higher off of the fingerboard(due to weather) and my notes really die out quickly if I dont pluck it hard enough

Sorry if this doesnt help
I am sure that someone will jump in with the exact technical or mechanical answer

Thanks

Robert VanLane

zeytoun · #3 03-15-2009, 03:12 PM

Can you elaborate on "The difference in note length isn't that noticeable acoustically"?

You want to fix acoustic issues acoustically, not using your amp for feedback. Then when your acoustic sound is good/consistent, you can troubleshoot amping issues.

bonaventura · #4 03-18-2009, 02:11 AM

sounds like it is not your pickup or amp, it's something to do with the G string. it could be the string itself, maybe a bad string. or maybe you strung it so it's bunched up against the side of the pegbox.

if it's not that, you might check the depth of the grooves in the nut and bridge. if the shoulders of those grooves are too "high", then the wood surrounding the string can dampen vibration and shorten your sustain. by removing that excess wood, you allow the afterlengths below the bridge and above the nut to vibrate more freely, thereby increasing your sustain.

i don't know if that is what your difficulty is. i can't see your bass. but if that's it, then it's fairly easy to remove that excess wood. loosen the string and pull it out of the groove. you can file the excess wood or sand it away with an emery board or sandpaper. this is not something you really need a luthier for. just don't file the groove any deeper, all you do is remove the wood on top of the bridge and/or nut on both sides of the string a bit at a time. rule of thumb is: groove should be no deeper than 50% of string diameter. actually, with the G string it can be as little 30% and your sustain will be all the more.

i did this on one of my basses once and the sustain was immediately much improved (and i was then using Belcantos, a string many bassists here said did not have enough sustain, well, they do

).

if you do the above, it's be interesting if you'd post your progris report later...

Uncletoad · #5 03-18-2009, 05:01 AM

What strings are you using and how old are they? Was it always that way or did it get that way over time?

Some ideas:

Bad string
improper install on string
bridge slot to string fit
bridge feet fit to top

and I suspect need for a soundpost adjustment.

arnoldschnitzer · #6 03-18-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

What strings are you using and how old are they? Was it always that way or did it get that way over time?

Some ideas:

Bad string
improper install on string
bridge slot to string fit
bridge feet fit to top

and I suspect need for a soundpost adjustment.

May I add: The fingerboard may have excessive camber (scoop) on the G string path.

Rvl · #7 03-18-2009, 07:03 AM

We need some closeup photos
If you cant post , I'll post them

need
- G bridge slot
- G nut
- bridge feet

also need a height
-G at the end of the fingerboard
-G in the middle of the fingerboard(I dont want to say at the 12th fret because everyone will know that I used to be an electric bass moron.....ooops you guys found out)

Thanks

Robert VanLane

bonaventura · #8 03-18-2009, 08:28 AM

hey Moopants

i don't know how much time you've spent here on TB, but your question has attracted quite a bit of help, and some of it (not mine

) is pretty high-powered help from very respected sources...

well, i guess you'll see it at some point. cheers,

bonaventura · #9 03-18-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonaventura

...this is not something you really need a luthier for. just don't file the groove any deeper, all you do is...

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

May I add: The fingerboard may have excessive camber (scoop) on the G string path.

now i never would have thought of that. Arnold, how would excessive camber reduce the sustain? certainly not on the open string, but how would it have that effect on say, "D"?

Hey Moopants, maybe you should see your luthier after all.

Uncletoad · #10 03-18-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonaventura

now i never would have thought of that. Arnold, how would excessive camber reduce the sustain? certainly not on the open string, but how would it have that effect on say, "D"?

If you have excessive camber and a low enough string height you'll be stopping the note at the bottom of a hill. It will choke off on the fingerboard forward of itself.

Bassalova · #11 03-19-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

and I suspect need for a soundpost adjustment.

I had the same issue with my first german bass. it was kind of a mass-productionbass type. I tried to move the soundpost quite a bit, like at least 1 inch from the bridge, and the G-string became ALIVE.

arnoldschnitzer · #12 03-19-2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonaventura

now i never would have thought of that. Arnold, how would excessive camber reduce the sustain? certainly not on the open string, but how would it have that effect on say, "D"?

When the camber is deep, you have to squeeze the string harder to close it. In doing so your fleshy finger damps the string. And also what Uncle said above (posing as me).

bonaventura · #13 03-20-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

If you have excessive camber and a low enough string height you'll be stopping the note at the bottom of a hill. It will choke off on the fingerboard forward of itself.

Toad, thanks for answering for Arnold.

I got two answers this way, and that ain't bad. In your scenario, there would also be a loud buzz on the fingerboard, wouldn't there? Moopants was just noticing a lack of sustain. Doesn't seem to fit... But your other comment about soundpost, how would that affect sustain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

When the camber is deep, you have to squeeze the string harder to close it. In doing so your fleshy finger damps the string. And also what Uncle said above (posing as me).

Thanks Arnold. That's the other side of what Toad said: string not too close but pretty far off the FB.

moopants · #14 03-26-2009, 09:23 AM

Oooh jeez, I didn't think I'd get this many replies lol. Anyway, I meant the acoustic difference isn't as noticable because I didn't really notice it until I had experience electrically. I'll try to get pictures of what you guys asked for, but I don't know when I'll be able to do that. I've noticed that the string volume goes down as it goes to E-G. Is this a soundpost problem?