Strange wolf tone/magnetic feedback problem

[bassobrutto]

I just picked up a very good "lawsuit era" copy of a Gibson EB-3. Only problem is that it gives off these strange octave-like harmonic overtones, a bit reminiscent of Pino Paladino's fretless bass sound on Paul Young's early hits. A cool sound, indeed, but not one I particularly want. The problem gets much more pronounced above about the 10th fret on all strings, and it occurs both when the 2 pickups are engaged together and when they are solo'd. Some people seem to call this effect wolf tone and others call it magnetic feedback, and I gather it is caused by the strings being too close to the pickup poles. But here's the problem--the height of the pickups on this bass cannot be adjusted, and the action is already a little on the high side for my taste. What then to do? Would pickups have to be somehow "re-magnetized" so that they exert less attraction on the strings?

Any suggestions would be welcome. I would love it if there is an easy fix. If not, I can return the bass (purchased online) within the next 24 hours for a refund.

[walterw]

if you're looking for fender-type clarity and evenness, an EB-type bass just isn't going to have it.

(they're a "niche" instrument for a reason.)

[lowfreqgeek]

You can try different string compositions. I've had this issue with a number of basses and the usual answer is a combination of pickup height adjustment and strings. Personally, I found the TI Superalloys to be among the best strings for eliminating those tones on the basses I've used them on (mainly G&L). Nickel in general seems to be better than SS, but I've usually leaned toward the SS tonal spectrum in the past.

Are the pole pieces adjustable? My old EBO had screw heads that could be adjusted up and down, but the pickup casing (chrome lid) was screwed right to the body. I don't recall having many issues with that particular bass, but that was a LONG time ago, before I knew how to apply my engineering skills to bass-problem-solving.

[bassobrutto]

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

You can try different string compositions. I've had this issue with a number of basses and the usual answer is a combination of pickup height adjustment and strings. Personally, I found the TI Superalloys to be among the best strings for eliminating those tones on the basses I've used them on (mainly G&L). Nickel in general seems to be better than SS, but I've usually leaned toward the SS tonal spectrum in the past.

Are the pole pieces adjustable? My old EBO had screw heads that could be adjusted up and down, but the pickup casing (chrome lid) was screwed right to the body. I don't recall having many issues with that particular bass, but that was a LONG time ago, before I knew how to apply my engineering skills to bass-problem-solving.

Thanks for the reply. I have tried a couple of different types of strings--the generic rounds it came with and a set of Labella flats, but the problem was the same with both. Perhaps I should try TIs.

The pole pieces are only adjustable on the bridge pickup (mini-humbucker) and lowering them made no appreciable difference. The big guy in the neck position is like the Gibson one you describe. The cover is screwed into the body and it can't be adjusted. The pole pieces are just simple magnets, not screw-type, and likewise can't be adjusted. I guess the only solution would be to route around the outside of the cover and lower it into the body a bit. Or to return the bass for a refund.