B string question (G&L L2500)

[Raman]

Hi,

I'm having an issue with the B string on my L2500.
I've left the bass in a corner for 2-3 years, playing my new 4 string P pretty much exclusively instead. Then, I decided the L2500 needed some love, so I thought I'd try new strings on it and a setup. I installed D'Addario Chrome flats (45-132). It previously had rounds.

My issue is I find the B string lacks tonal definition. I'd describe it as "rumbly", almost "farty". (Hope this description will convey what I mean... Not the type of vocab they teach you in English classes.)
Another way I can try to put it is, instead of going "boom" it goes more like "broom"...

The E to G strings sound sharp and precise, but there's a big difference with the B: Like it's a different type of string altogether. Because the B also tends to rattle and clack, I thought at first that it was the neck setup. So I played with that. Then I also found that that B string sounded a bit too explosive on the attack, while at the same time imprecise in tone. So I lowered the pups. That helped with the explosiveness. But I'm still left with the lack of tonal definition.

[NB- This is when I play passive or active, regardless: so not a preamp issue.]

If it's not the neck or the pups, my next hypothesis is the strings: Maybe try a different gauge? Maybe go back to rounds?

Unfortunately, I can't find the old set of rounds to put them back on it and compare. I misplaced them and have been searching in vain for a few days. But before I go buy a new set, I thought I'd ask here.

Has anybody had issues with the B on this bass? Issues with flats, or with gauge for example? What was your solution?

 

[Yahboy]

Dude, try a set EB Cobalt flat 2816 or Group 2810, both B string sound solid , healthy and no muddy !!!!

I believe nothing wrong with your L2500, just the B string from chrome set.

 

[Raman]

Dude, try a set EB Cobalt flat 2816 or Group 2810, both B string sound solid , healthy and no muddy !!!!

I believe nothing wrong with your L2500, just the B string from chrome set.

Thanks for the suggestion!

EB Slinky rounds were my go-to for many years on my previous 5-string bass, but I never tried their flatwound strings.

I'm reading on them. A comment that comes up is they have good tension. I would hope so because, as I've alluded in the OP, I'm also having trouble with the B string being a lot more rattly than I like: not zinging, but it rattles and clacks against the frets. I can control it to some extent, but not fully and it's really annoying me.

Currently on my 4-string P, I have Fender steel flats (medium light) and the tension is pretty stiff. Wonder if that could also be an option for the L2500.

 

[Raman]

I just adjusted the neck to give it a little bit more release (loosened the truss rod). That helped with the rattling on the B string.

What I'm left with is clacking. And I narrowed it down a bit: it clacks when I fret, not when I pick. Meaning, the string does a metallic sound when I press down on it and it hits the fret that I'm playing.

What bugs me is there's no such clacking when I fret on the E A D G strings at all.

 

[Raman]

Well, this thread is not getting any traction...
I think I'll order a set of EB Regular Slinky round strings, only to assess whether it's really the B string on my current set that's the matter or something else. They're the strings that I used to play a few years ago and I don't remember having a problem with the B then. Plus, they're affordable, so if that doesn't solve it, not such a big loss. And if it does solve the rattly, clacky and imprecise B, then I'll know not to use D'Addario chrome flats in the future, and I can eventually try something more expensive instead.

 

[dedpool1052]

You adjusted the neck, but did you compensate at all with a bridge adjustment?
Might be a few small turns on the B saddle to get the right response.

 

[Raman]

You adjusted the neck, but did you compensate at all with a bridge adjustment?
Might be a few small turns on the B saddle to get the right response.

i did.

 

[dedpool1052]

I tend to have the best results with a straighter neck (less relief), and raise the B until it responds in a similar fashion as the others.
Not sure if this will help, or if you just got a bad string in your set (it happens)

 

[dedpool1052]

Also,
WRT pickups (MFDs),
Lowering the bass side, and making any necessary adjustments to the pole pieces for even string-to-string response.

 

[dedpool1052]

Also,
Check to see if the string is twisted.
Loosen it to the point you can pull it off the tuner, if the wraps turn either way, the strings was twisted.

 

[Raman]

Also,
Check to see if the string is twisted.
Loosen it to the point you can pull it off the tuner, if the wraps turn either way, the strings was twisted.

Thanks for the different suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time.

I did check all the variables that I could. I lowered the pups as mentioned in the op. They're way low now and cannot possibly pop. I checked if the string was twisted. I even tried to string it through body to see if that would help.

As for the neck, this all started out when I picked up the bass with the new flat strings on and noticed the clacking and rattling. I checked the neck and it was really straight, so I thought that could be the source of the problem. I tried to loosen it, then tightened it up again. Every time, I played with the string height, even getting it way high where it isn't comfortable to play. I also tried the opposite: getting it as low as possible.

Another thing I tried, just last evening, was to raise the string by inserting folded aluminum paper under it at the nut.

One more thing is I paid a visit to a luthier friend this week so he could have a quick look at it. He said he saw nothing wrong with the bass.

I'm at a complete loss. That's why I'll try a new set of strings. If that doesn't work, I'll take it and pay for an actual pro setup, making sure they understand that's the specific problem I want solved.

 

[dedpool1052]

Another thing to consider is the "break-in" period for strings.

I know the times I used chromes, they were definitely "clacky".

Maybe they just need some more time to settle in.

 

[Raman]

Another thing to consider is the "break-in" period for strings.

I know the times I used chromes, they were definitely "clacky".

Maybe they just need some more time to settle in.

Well, they've been there a while now, but I haven't played that bass a lot since...

 

[dedpool1052]

Another thing,
Have you reached out to D'addario to see if you can get a replacement B?

I don't know how their CS is compared to GHS, who was helpful when I had an issue.

It wouldn't hurt,
Plus, it would rule out if the string was defective, or the tone just doesn't work for you.

 

[J Wilson]

Flats will always run higher tension than like-sized roundwounds.

Once you get the new EB flats, I'd . .

Do a complete setup. I'd do it, and come back and recheck everything a day later to make sure everything is through moving.

Then I'd pay particular attention (and you only want to do this with brand new strings, once they have some miles on them, it can and will throw this off) to pickup heights. Set everything on the bass and amp FLAT. Then carefully adjust, listen, adjust, listen, etc., until you can get each pickup's response as even as you can get it.

A not-often mentioned 'catch' with a five or six-string bass, is that the big B is a Whole-Lotta-Ferrous-Metal vibrating over the pickup coil(s), and depending on the particular string and its particular metallurgy, a booming or dead B is not uncommon of basses that have a half-ass setup, and/or a particular brand of strings that your bass just does NOT like. And flats are the worst about this, more metal, and not a lot of tone to begin with, relative to wound strings.

Hope this and new EB's brings her 'round.

 

[Scotty4string]

Might be the string. I have Chromes on my L2500. No issues. Or try raising the B a little.

 

[Raman]

Another thing,
Have you reached out to D'addario to see if you can get a replacement B?

I don't know how their CS is compared to GHS, who was helpful when I had an issue.

It wouldn't hurt,
Plus, it would rule out if the string was defective, or the tone just doesn't work for you.

You might be onto something about the string not being broken in enough. I really haven't played this bass much at all since I put the flats on it, preferring my 4 string P to it, in part because of that B string issue. Maybe I need to give it more love. Also, generally speaking, the B will see less action than the other strings, at least for the type of classic rock material that I've been playing lately. Worth considering.

 

[Yahboy]

Well, this thread is not getting any traction...
I think I'll order a set of EB Regular Slinky round strings, only to assess whether it's really the B string on my current set that's the matter or something else. They're the strings that I used to play a few years ago and I don't remember having a problem with the B then. Plus, they're affordable, so if that doesn't solve it, not such a big loss. And if it does solve the rattly, clacky and imprecise B, then I'll know not to use D'Addario chrome flats in the future, and I can eventually try something more expensive instead.

The crack sound only happened on B string when you fret the string, if just only happened on certain fret, it could be high fret before fret note or nut slot too low.

This thing happened on my new Vintera bass which both E and A nut slot cut too low from factory when I set the neck relief to .010.

Suggest put a thin paper under the B string nut slot for inspect. Tq

 

[Raman]

Another thing,
Have you reached out to D'addario to see if you can get a replacement B?

I don't know how their CS is compared to GHS, who was helpful when I had an issue.

It wouldn't hurt,
Plus, it would rule out if the string was defective, or the tone just doesn't work for you.

You might be a genius! (Or I may just be slow-witted...)

I just stretched the B string, as you do right after you install new strings, and it dropped to G#. I tuned it back up to B: It now seems tighter than before and... less clacky!

I'm at home tomorrow so I'll try to do more stretching and adjusting.

I had stretched the strings when I installed them and they've been there awhile. So, in my mind, that whole area was settled and it didn't cross my mind to investigate there. Thanks again for cueing me onto that possibility.

 

[dedpool1052]

You might be a genius! (Or I may just be slow-witted...)

I just stretched the B string, as you do right after you install new strings, and it dropped to G#. I tuned it back up to B: It now seems tighter than before and... less clacky!

I'm at home tomorrow so I'll try to do more stretching and adjusting.

I had stretched the strings when I installed them and they've been there awhile. So, in my mind, that whole area was settled and it didn't cross my mind to investigate there. Thanks again for cueing me onto that possibility.

Glad it's working out!
I try to help when I can.