strings wider than magnetic field range, what should I do?

BassBastard · #1 01-10-2008, 02:57 PM

I bought a couple SD soapbar pickups and preamp from ebay to replace the MEC ones I had. The price was so low and I was so eager for a change that I only checked for route dimensions and hastily bought them.

My foolishness doesn't end there, I installed it and when I finally tested it surprise surprise, the B and G strings sound weaker in output, specially the B...

should I just resell and get something else? Other than that the sound is amazing! Maybe a compressor would help? Thanks

meev992 · #2 01-10-2008, 03:32 PM

Add more metal to your bass until it starts working.

J/k

bumping to help OP find an answer.

BassAntix · #3 01-10-2008, 03:33 PM

Hmmm, perhaps you should post a pic of the end results. That may help others help you out here.

mikezimmerman · #4 01-10-2008, 03:34 PM

Yes, you should resell them and get something else.

Mike

BassBastard · #5 01-10-2008, 04:18 PM

Wait a minute. A made a mistake converting inches to cm. And now I have no clue why those strings have lower output because they're shorter in width than the maximum recommended.

any ideas?

newfuture · #6 01-10-2008, 04:23 PM

A compressor would help, but the right thing to do is sell the PUs and get ones that work.

meev992 · #7 01-10-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBastard

Wait a minute. A made a mistake converting inches to cm. And now I have no clue why those strings have lower output because they're shorter in width than the maximum recommended.

any ideas?

add metal till it starts working.

j/k again.

bump to get more help for the OP.

have you tried raising/lowering pickups already?

GeoffByrne · #8 01-10-2008, 05:07 PM

Replace your bridge with a Schaller and reduce the space between you strings.

BassBastard · #9 01-10-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

add metal till it starts working.

j/k again.

bump to get more help for the OP.

have you tried raising/lowering pickups already?

Seymour Duncan site says 3,45' maximum string width. I have about 3,35' so maybe that's not the problem? But what else could it be??

meev992 · #10 01-10-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBastard

Seymour Duncan site says 3,45' maximum string width. I have about 3,35' so maybe that's not the problem? But what else could it be??

bad strings, mayhaps.

BassBastard · #11 01-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

bad strings, mayhaps.

the strings are warwick emp's and they're the same that I was using before changing pickups...

Dan1099 · #12 01-11-2008, 11:00 AM

You may have twisted the strings when replacing them.

Also, do the new pickups have staggered pole-pieces? Some fender style pickups have that to try to normalize the output between all the strings, because of the fretboard radius. Try lowering your B and G strings.

BassBastard · #13 01-11-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan1099

You may have twisted the strings when replacing them.

Also, do the new pickups have staggered pole-pieces? Some fender style pickups have that to try to normalize the output between all the strings, because of the fretboard radius. Try lowering your B and G strings.

Nop, the pickups I bought are these http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...b5_asb6_activ/

I tried lowering the strings and also adjust the bridge (it's a warwick bridge) so that the strings were closer to each other trying to get the B and G strings in the magnetic field range but with no luck. It did very little to help if any. I'm gonna check the strings for twisting.

Is there any chance it's the wiring or something? I don't see how but then again I don't know much about the subject. Thanks again

meev992 · #14 01-11-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan1099

Also, do the new pickups have staggered pole-pieces?

I had a stratocaster copy once....the staggered pieces were a mess.

J.Stone · #15 01-11-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBastard

Nop, the pickups I bought are these http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...b5_asb6_activ/

Says those are Blade based, not pole pieces. Try getting the pick up closer to the strings.

meev992 · #16 01-11-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Stone

Says those are Blade based, not pole pieces. Try getting the pick up closer to the strings.

To the OP, please try this suggestion and let us know how it pans out.

BassBastard · #17 01-11-2008, 04:21 PM

I have tried that and the opposite (lowering), nothing seems to work. What a disappointment! I have the pickups installed for 2 days and already I'm looking for a replacement.