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Bass problem - Vintage Modified Squier
- Thread starter digamma
- Start date
Hi,
Some news about the bass. We corrected the intonation. So 12th fret is basically the same as open string and 12fret harmonic.
Problem continued.
So we filed down the nut a little. It helped a liiittle.
Just about ready to give up when we started noticing that it may be the bass player. 1st of all, when pressing on the string with less force, the problem was almost gone. Another thing, the bass player was hanging his left arm on the neck a little while playing those notes, this caused more tension on the low string, which added to the problem.
Now with the bass setup, filed down nut, and using less pressure on the string the note pitch seems correct.
So I'm guessing thicker strings will help this?
Thanks for all the help so far.
Some news about the bass. We corrected the intonation. So 12th fret is basically the same as open string and 12fret harmonic.
Problem continued.
So we filed down the nut a little. It helped a liiittle.
Just about ready to give up when we started noticing that it may be the bass player. 1st of all, when pressing on the string with less force, the problem was almost gone. Another thing, the bass player was hanging his left arm on the neck a little while playing those notes, this caused more tension on the low string, which added to the problem.
Now with the bass setup, filed down nut, and using less pressure on the string the note pitch seems correct.
So I'm guessing thicker strings will help this?
Thanks for all the help so far.
This was my first thought when I read your issue.
Tuning down can make the strings a bit floppier, and couple that with a heavy handed player and you're bound to get all sorts of wacky out of tune problems.
A guitar playing friend of mine constantly tunes really low and puts pressure on the neck... I had to give up trying to stay in tune with him.
not if the luthier restrung the bass specifically for the tuning, he would of also had to file down the nut to accomodate the strings in the first place, tuning down from Standard is a really daft way to tune down.
I never considered a heavy handed bass player combined with a too-light gauge string in a dropped tuning, but that might be the problem.
My experience:
I can tune a bass down and not hit it so hard that it bends strings out of tune. Having control over your touch and dynamics is a virtue for all bass players, all styles.
A properly cut nut will accept a small variation in string gauges without modification and still function properly. I can install anything from 110 to 100 gauge strings on all my basses with no ill effects.
If your bass player can't control his touch, a heavier gauge may help, but I know guys who can wack those out of tune as well.
Better take a good look at what your bass player is doing or, better yet, take him to the shop and have the tech watch as he plays. The tech can make a much better evaluation when he sees your bass player's style and technique.
