• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

5-String Bass Question

LarryK

LarryK

May 30, 2006
69
1
Chesapeake, VA
#1
I recently bought a "previously-owned" 5-string with active pickups. Not being familiar with 5-strings, I can't figure out why the B string isn't as loud as the other strings. For example, when I play a 5th fret E, the volume is much lower than when I play the open E string. I'm thinking they should play at pretty much the same volume. Is this a pickup problem or is this something common with 5-string basses?
 
#3
Playing a fretted note will always sound different than playing the open string of that note. With the open string, you are dealing with the entire length of the string, thus maximum sustain and maximum resonance. With the fretted note, you are essentially "choking" the string at that point, and therefore affecting sustain and resonance.

The real question here is how does the open B string sound in relation to the other open strings? Does it seem lower in volume than the others? It's quite possible you might just have to do a minor height adjustment of the pickup(s) near the B string. This is a very easy adjustment to make.

Please keep us posted.
 
#4
EBMatt said:
Umm...I would say that it is a pickup issue. Either that or the setup on the bass is WAY off. The B-string should naturally be a little louder than the rest because of its size.
Click to expand...

yeah--i tend to agree, unless the battery is poor or the pickups are off, your B should be good and strong. Also--is the action too high above the pickups or is the bridge off for that string? I would check that too.

good luck on it.
 
#5
The B string might be "dead" if you haven't changed the strings yet. Pick up some new strings, then adjust your pickups so they are an equal distance from each string. If you're still not getting an even response, you can adjust your pickups so they are closer to the B string than the other strings. Good luck!
 
#6
Thanks to everyone for the quick responses. It confirms what I was thinking: that I shouldn't see a marked difference in volume. Based on what you guys wrote, I'm going to take the 5-string to my local guitar shop and have the bridge, pickups, alignment, etc checked. Thanks again.
 
#7
Open strings are always a little louder than fretted though, isn't that why some basses have a zero fret?

I don't know, they seem louder to me but I have a tendency to pluck the open B and E harder.
 
#9
It could also be that the human ear can only hear certain frequencies of notes. For example basses have to play much louder than a guitar just because the guitar sounds louder, when in effect it’s not. So the low B string some times can’t even be heard from a cheaper guitar, Because it sounds ‘dead’ almost like it’s not a note. It’s just too low for Human ears. Just sounds muddy or such. So that’s my best guess, I wouldn’t mess with the pick ups quite yet. ^_^
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back