Two tones out of one fret

[thebassmuchacho]

I have something wierd happening to somewhere around the 15th to the 20 fret on my bass where i get two tones, meaning the one note basically pulsates because the two frequencies of the pitches are so close. Its almost like a scofield tone, cool, but not all the time. Ive already intonated my bass, and the neck is fine. One friend told me that it needs fretwork, but before i do that i was wondering if youve heard of this before and if theres an easier fix.

~Thanks!

[Rodent]

what you're referring to is happening when playing plugged in and amplified, or what you hear accoustically when unplugged?

All the best,

R

[wilser]

did you recently change your strings? I've had this problem with faulty strings (DR) and problem was fixed when I installed a different product.

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by wilser

did you recently change your strings? I've had this problem with faulty strings (DR) and problem was fixed when I installed a different product.

It's funny you say that Wilser: DR strings on my Warwick do this same thing. I always thought it was the fret size/shape that was doing it. It doesn't transmit through the pickups until frets 22 to 24, on the heaviest strings. What strings did you switch to?

[DougP]

Yeah, if using DR Longnecks (is that the right name), they will produce these results due to their construction.

those strings are intended for through-body stringing, if they are used on just about anything else the strange harmonics occur.

[pilotjones]

Have you recently raised your pickups or lowered your action? This can happen when a pickup is too close to a string, and it pulls on the string too much.

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by DougP

Yeah, if using DR Longnecks (is that the right name), they will produce these results due to their construction.

those strings are intended for through-body stringing, if they are used on just about anything else the strange harmonics occur.

I just checked my bag, and sure enough: a box of Long-Necks.

Anyone have suggestions for a replacement set of strings with similar feel?

[callmeMrThumbs]

I like D'Addarios. I used to use DRs, but I decided they were a little too coarse (and expensive) for me.

-Josh