Bass problems

[OldWhatsHisFace]

Hey, I have a few questions I was hoping people could help me out with.
One one of my basses, the low E string sounds bassier and louder than the other strings, and the G string also sounds a little louder than the A and D. Just at a glance, the low E saddle is noticeably lower than the rest. It's a standard J-Bass bridge, so I was wondering, if this is the problem, is there a way to raise the saddle, or is it a pickup problem causing the sound.

Also on my other bass, some weird brand, the tone knobs are strange. One of them, it sounds bassy and when the knob gets to a certain point, like all the bass cuts out and it sounds trebley. Basically there are just tonal problems with it, and it's definitely the electronics. Would new pickups solve this? It's a 6 year old bass and it's been kept pretty poorly and in humid places without a case. So I just wanted to know if rewiring and repickuping would solve this, because I don't wanna spend money on doing it to find out it doesn't work. (yes, I know, it's obvious that it would work, just if you have anything else to say it'd be good to hear. I don't know!)

Thanks for your help.

 

[BazzTard]

yeah it sounds like the E and G strings are too close to the pickups, or the two middle strings are too far away.

usually, the saddles should curve slightly to match the neck's radius, but it sounds like it's been overdone.

I'd try raising the E and G saddles to just below the A and D saddles. Each saddle should have two screws holding it up, adjust these.

You can also lower/raise the pickups by adjusting the screws on their ends.

But, it sounds like you are new to all this, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have your local luthier / guitar shop tech give it a setup. Cost for this could be as low as $30, plus the cost of new strings.

Regarding that other bass, if the neck is not too good, forget it. Sounds like the electronics are shot, but that isn't too expensive to redo, IF the neck and tuners are OK. But others here are far more skilled in these matters, I'll defer to their judgment.

 

[96tbird]

Yes there is a way to raise the saddles. It seems to me you wouldn't consider yourself a handyman since you didn't notice the height screws on the saddles. That's ok. You can learn.

Read the @All setup questions answered here" section up top of this section of the forum. Once you do you'll understand what is going on. From there if you feel you can attempt it all, proceed. If not get some experienced help with it and watch and ask questions. Learning how to setup your instrument is rewarding and you'll learn how to get it just perfect for YOU.

Link to the guide section. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/all-basic-setup-questions-answered-here.125382/

 

[FatStringsRule]

Your pickup height may need adjusting too. From the factory especially fender they set them a bit higher. With a setup though everything has to be q accounted for so yes,vid take it to a tech if you are afraid to do it yourself.