Pickup height affects frequency response?

brandonwong · #1 08-24-2006, 09:23 PM

Hey all,

Knowing that pickup height affects the overall volume output of the bass, does it also affects the frequency response?
My problem is with a bass that has rather low pickup height because of its wood covers.
No matter how i EQ it or pass it thru another outboard preamp(DB924), it just doesn't have as much bright sizzle for pop technique.
When i bring up the treble, it also brings out quite a bit of high mids(which is unfavorable IMO).

Any ideas?

PilbaraBass · #2 08-24-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwong

Hey all,

Knowing that pickup height affects the overall volume output of the bass, does it also affects the frequency response?
My problem is with a bass that has rather low pickup height because of its wood covers.
No matter how i EQ it or pass it thru another outboard preamp(DB924), it just doesn't have as much bright sizzle for pop technique.
When i bring up the treble, it also brings out quite a bit of high mids(which is unfavorable IMO).

Any ideas?

IMO...lower pickup height DOES affect frequency response. My experience is that raising the pickup closer to the string brings out the "depth" of the string. Harmonics, and "sizzle" could be compromised by extra low pickups.

There are two ways to counteract this without EQ and without raising pickups...

1) change the strings...try stainless steel rounds for more "sizzle"
2) change the pickups...try a "hotter" pickup...one with a ceramic magnet for instance instead of an alnico will increase the magnetic field and therefore the sensitivity of the pickup.

RyreInc · #3 08-25-2006, 04:27 PM

Well, in the aural world, bass frequencies resonate farther and louder than progressively higher frequencies, so it would make sense if this was true for the electromagnetic world as well.

luknfur · #4 08-26-2006, 03:45 AM

FWIW:

see Bill Lawrence site but in my experience the pup mellows out, loses bass, and volume in dropping it.

If the pups are easily removed and re-installed from the covers, then remove the covers and raise them to check it out. Depending on the pups, you may be able to get standard plastic covers or find a luthier (perhaps the original guy for that matter) to thin the covers down. Some luthiers used a very thin veneer for the top of wood pups. Plenty of posts in the lutheirs forum from a search.

mcdeath · #5 08-27-2006, 01:38 AM

Hmmm.

I like using ferro-fluid to have a visual view of the intensity and height of the magnetic fields put out by pickups.

WikiPedia

Ferro-Fluid

But this stuff gets everywhere if it's not sealed in a container. Thankfully the magnetic fields will penetrate glass and/or plastic.

12bass · #6 08-27-2006, 04:42 AM

I found a previous thread where I said "IMO, having the pickups very close has a "direct" sound, that is louder and more punchy, while moving farther away give a more natural "acoustic" string sound, but is not as forward sounding."

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...30#post2208930

What kind of pickups do you have? Maybe they don't have much treble response to begin with?

brandonwong · #7 08-27-2006, 05:07 AM

I did find my other basses with exposed cores to play easier and punchier.
This particular one with covered wooden covers is then significantly very low height. It does have more acoustic and natural bass sound in comparison to a more "pickyuppy" kinda tone.
It has somewhat trebly response but not one which i particularly enjoy on an electric bass. what pickups? check my avatar.

I was thrown aback when i recently dropped a unknown preamp on my ibanez mc924 and the tone kills it all.

for rock and big band setting.

12bass · #8 08-27-2006, 06:39 AM

Might be worth sending an email to George Furlanetto to see what he has to say.....