wolf eliminator chokes tone

[tww001]

My bass has a wolf tone on the Ab on the A string. I have a wolf eliminator which I only occasionally use because, although it makes the string response much easier on the bass as a whole, it noticeably chokes up some of the instruments tone (to even my non-musician friends!). Do wolf eliminators normally do this? People have told me to tune the after length of the string to which the wolf eliminator is attached to the fifth of the note with the wolf tone, so that is how I set up the wolf eliminator. Is there something else I could be doing? As of right now, I just don't use it, because the Ab on the A string isn't an often-used note.

[Eric Hochberg]

Same thing happened on my bass. The tone seemed to "flatten" out, not as vibrant with the eliminator. I took it off and live with the wolf.

[Cody Sisk]

What kind of wolf eliminator are you using? I prefer the solid brass ones made by New Harmony Music.

These are quick and easy to adjust position and come in different weights. When a customer wants one installed, I'll usually find where the "pinch point" on the string is with a heavier one then gradually reduce to smaller weights until I find the minimum weight needed to eliminate the wolf while minimally dampening the sound.

You might cruise their website. There's probably a listed dealer of these in your area.

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by DallasStrings

What kind of wolf eliminator are you using? I prefer the solid brass ones made by New Harmony Music.

There's a new design from Germany which is much, much easier to place and more effective than those. I don't know the name. Arnold Schnitzer has them.
As for placement, I've heard a 5th, a 4th, and a 3rd. It's easy enough to find out what works best.

[tww001]

I have the solid brass eliminator. I'll have to try a 4th or a 3rd and seem if that helps with the tone at all. Despite the tone being choked, the response was much better on the bass as a whole.

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by tww001

I have the solid brass eliminator. I'll have to try a 4th or a 3rd and seem if that helps with the tone at all. Despite the tone being choked, the response was much better on the bass as a whole.

I'd just move it up and down on the A string until you find the spot. I wouldn't worry about what note they're sitting on. Wolf tones are much more elusive on bass than say a cello.

[DavidMP]

These look sexy!

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by DavidMP

These look sexy!

This is what I was referring to in post #4.

[Johnny L]

Originally Posted by tww001

...a wolf eliminator...noticeably chokes up some of the instruments tone (to even my non-musician friends!). Do wolf eliminators normally do this?

IME, yes...but depending on the bass, it can be harder or easier to notice it.

On my first bass (a ply Strunal), it wasn't very noticeable to me and I really liked having one to calm down my wolfy A.

On my carved bass though, I notice it immediately and dislike using a wolftone eliminator so much I just live with the wolftones.

Perhaps different weights and materials for the eliminator might give you something better, or changing the soundpost setting. I've read here about people doing the soundpost thing and finding happiness.