Another SX modifcation question

[jcoopcoyote]

Hey all you SX fans out there,
My short scale SX-P and PJ are my most comfortable and easiest playing basses, but I have sound quality issues with both of them.
The P has a problem where the G string can barely be heard even with new Bass Lines Quarter Pound Pick ups. The PJ still has the original pickups and sounds very thin and brittle. They both have 3/4 flat wound strings for maximum thumpage with a little zing!
Do you think changing the pots and jack can help either of these problems significantly?
P.S. I have a stock SX 75 J LTD that sounds great but weighs a ton.

 

[DeanT]

I would try adjusting the pickup on the G string side. Raise it up a little and see if it affects the volume. And/or try adjusting the G string bridge saddle so the string sits closer to the pickup.

New pots will help, but that's probably not the problem.

 

[savit260]

New pots will do nothing to cure that problem.

Sounds to me like you need to adjust the p/u hight. This is almost definitly a set up problem.

 

[mrkreuzschlitz]

i'd replace the electronics, check the wiring, etc.

then get it setup by someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[SBassman]

Pots don't discriminate between strings.
Gotta be pickup height.

And try not just raising the G side, but lowering the E side.

 

[jcoopcoyote]

Yep, I had tried raising the pick ups on the P bass till it nearly touches the G. It's fine when played quietly, but at normal rock n roll volume it disapears. Maybe it's my EQ settings, but it's not a problem on my other basses. Very strange huh?
On the PJ, I am debating if I should invest in new pickups and electronics since I love the feel and look so much, but hate the thin brittle sound? I think sometimes the wood just doesn't sound thick, no matter what electronics are used?

 

[BassBob185]

Not sure this has any validity but possibly bad magnet(s) under the G string?

 

[SBassman]

Yep, I had tried raising the pick ups on the P bass till it nearly touches the G. It's fine when played quietly, but at normal rock n roll volume it disapears. Maybe it's my EQ settings, but it's not a problem on my other basses. Very strange huh?
On the PJ, I am debating if I should invest in new pickups and electronics since I love the feel and look so much, but hate the thin brittle sound? I think sometimes the wood just doesn't sound thick, no matter what electronics are used?

Yeah, but you can't raise both sides. To do this test well, you needed to raise the G side, and lower the E side.

I really doubt this is intrinsic to the wood of the guitar.
I have to believe with other pickups, this problem disappears.
But, I'll admit I'm guessing - I wouldn't bet my family on it.

 

[stflbn]

"It's fine when played quietly, but at normal rock n roll volume it disappears"

The pickup doesn't care if it's at 2 or 10 on the volume knob, it does the same thing and the volume knob allows more signal to go through and the amount of signal from each strong would not change as the volume gets higher.

It's got to be your EQ settings in the mix if your levels are fine between strings at lower volume.

How are the levels string to string at high volume on your rig alone without others playing?

 

[jcoopcoyote]

I just played the SX-P bass through a set of head phones and it sounds fine, but everytime I try to take it to a practice or a gig that string can barely be heard. This is not a problem on any of my other basses with the same strings, Pick ups and EQ settings? I guess I can try cranking up the high frequencies, but I hate high end clank. I play mostly low end thumping, but a few songs require going to that string.
Also nobody has offered any suggestions about the SX PJ bass that sounds thin and brittle. I know that changing to the bass lines pick up won't fix it, any other suggestions?

 

[lbwdog]

I guess I can try cranking up the high frequencies, but I hate high end clank. I play mostly low end thumping, but a few songs require going to that string.

I don't think boosting "highs" will solve it. Remember, the open "G" string fundamental is only 98Hz and goes to about 311Hz at the 20th fret.

My guess would be either a bad string or pickup,or,,,,,,,, you could be plucking that string too hard in order to increase it's volume.

As for the P/J, I'd invest in a quality set of pickups (Dimarzio?), along with good pots and capacitor. If you're not fond of soldering, you can order a complete wiring harness from Butch at http://bayoucables.com/ ,although he is currently swamped and not taking new orders for a couple of weeks.