Another should I upgrade the pups

Perspicuus · #1 08-24-2011, 06:13 AM

Hello Talkbass Community.

I'm in serious need of help with my electric bass sound.

A little bit of background first.

1 - I am a noob when it comes to eletric setup (mostly an acoustic couch player).
2 - I do play with heavy gauge strings (E .110)
3 - My bass is a Ibanez Jetking 200

4 - Love the feel\confort of this bass and would hate to part ways with it.

5 - Combo GK MB115

Issue is my with my sound.

When I play the E string, it almost sounds like its muted (volume is very low).
I've tested my amp with a different bass (passive pickup as well - reg gauge strings) and the sound of the E string was much louder\clearer.

Reason for the heavy gauge - I play hard and find it more comfortable.

The pickups, as most probably know, are Ibanez's soap bar.

From what I've read on here, it either is :
Strings, Pickup placement or pickup themselves.

I'm leaning forward on replacing the pups.

Any (good)

advice?

SGD Lutherie · #2 08-24-2011, 05:05 PM

Did you have your nut and bridge adjusted for the heavy strings? How does the low E sound when the bass is not plugged in?

stratovani · #3 08-24-2011, 05:19 PM

You might want to check if you pickups are too far from your strings. Raise the E side up, then see how it sounds.

Dirk Diggler · #4 08-24-2011, 06:29 PM

1 vote for strings, cheaper solution too. Check your setup like SGD suggests, it sounds like classic nut pinch.........hey wait a minute that sounds really bad.

Dirk

Perspicuus · #5 08-25-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Did you have your nut and bridge adjusted for the heavy strings? How does the low E sound when the bass is not plugged in?

I assumed it had been... Took it to a tech to have the bass setup with the new strings at the time, but now that you mention that... I'll have to look into that.

I'll have to checkup on how it sounds not plugged in... how should it sound not plugged in.

Perspicuus · #6 08-25-2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

You might want to check if you pickups are too far from your strings. Raise the E side up, then see how it sounds.

I'll have a look at that too.

Thanks for the advise guys.