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B string sounds dead
- Thread starter Acoustic356
- Start date
I wish I could explain it. I burned through 2 sets of strings, changed the set up (adjusted the bridge so the B string was more over the poles), adjusted pickup height.
I was about to sell the bass until I tried it on the other head/cab and didn't have an issue.
Using the same cables and different heads on the same cabs didn't yield the same issue.
The Mesa has 2 Neutrik connectors. Going 1:1 to the cab, I didn't have an issue.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,947
- 5
- 220,546
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Did you try the battery test with each cabinet?
Test through each speaker jack on each cabinet.
I would also check each cable.
Test through each speaker jack on each cabinet.
I would also check each cable.
are you using the same cables? I think you mean Trickfish cabs but need confirmation.
If the Trickfish cab used to link the 2nd was swapped to being the cab being linked it would avoid the possible dud panel connection.
Sorry if that last post is incomprehensible.
Going with the idea that one of your Trickfish cabs has a dud wired extension daisy or even main input if you randomly plug them in....
AB cab 1
CD cab 2
Hopefully you don't wind up at bottom right.
Going with the idea that one of your Trickfish cabs has a dud wired extension daisy or even main input if you randomly plug them in....
AB cab 1
CD cab 2
Hopefully you don't wind up at bottom right.
The tension on the B string is great. I let some of my local gigging musician friends play it and the dug the evenness across all strings. We played at Sam Ash through an EBS Reidmar 450, Warwick LWA 1000, and a Hartke kickback combo.
At guitar center, we played through a Markbasss 210 combo.
No issues, a lot of compliments, and 3 offers for more than I paid for it.
I think the jacks on the cabs are good. Like,I said, I don’t habve the same issue with my other 3 heads. It seems more likely that there is an issue with the Mesa.
Right now it is toggle to 4 ohm. I am going to flip the switch to 2ohm, and see if the problem persists.
My working theory right now is that something may be off with the impedance.
Try a different 5 string bass on those amp-cab combinations.
Sorry, didn't read that you have done allready.
Sorry, didn't read that you have done allready.
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B strings scratch the edge of physics, often the responsing time to cord's full swing is insufficiently supported by gear's material and construction; of all the 5ers plenty i've tested, there were very few with a equal blast on the 5th referring E/A/D/G ...
This one is such a brave Godess: '93 Streamer 5, Cherry+Maple/Wenge, 3,9kg of delight and as good as the Bergers.
This one is such a brave Godess: '93 Streamer 5, Cherry+Maple/Wenge, 3,9kg of delight and as good as the Bergers.
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@BergerHead, @Downunderwonder, @agedhorse, @StrungLow, @Adienn7, @ThisBass and anyone else that I may have left out...
I unstacked the cabs this morning and did a lot of cable swapping to figure out what was going on. It turns out the most simple thing is usually the problem.
This bass is active only. I swapped the battery and the B string came to life. This probably explains why I didn't notice the problem the first week or so I had the bass... (it's a used bass... so, maybe swapping the batteries is the first thing I should have done.)
The compression on the Warwick and Taurus were pulling up the weakened B string. This added to the confusion.
I unstacked the cabs this morning and did a lot of cable swapping to figure out what was going on. It turns out the most simple thing is usually the problem.
This bass is active only. I swapped the battery and the B string came to life. This probably explains why I didn't notice the problem the first week or so I had the bass... (it's a used bass... so, maybe swapping the batteries is the first thing I should have done.)
The compression on the Warwick and Taurus were pulling up the weakened B string. This added to the confusion.
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happens. good luck! 
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,947
- 5
- 220,546
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Not going to have anything to do with the impedance [edit - I see you figured this out, good job troubleshooting btw]
The Subway limiting and compression algorithms built into the gain stage and output stages are very subtle and transparent, only working when really needed rather than as an effect. You have discovered how common large amounts of compression can be in some amps, and how compression can cover up some flaws in the incoming signal. It can also change the feel and openness, the dynamics of the instrument by masking the fine points of a player's technique. I think your example highlights this well.
It's all about the player's hands, search for and nail the point where it sounds good or best to you ... and there you go!
In a funny old Keith Richards movie (early'70s) for what ever he plays: Tele, Plexi-Armstrong, Custom LP, a Junior, he always sounded same ... even on the National-Reso! Too bad the clip does't exist digitally ...
