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Boss LMB-3

devinp17

devinp17

Jun 26, 2014
722
355
Ontario, Canada
#1
I'm looking for a compressor to even out the volume of my strings. My E string is much louder than the rest and, yes, I've adjusted the pickups as much as possible. I was looking at the Boss LMB-3 and I was wondering if it will do what I want, and do it well. I don't care about tone, that's not what I want with a compressor/limiter. I don't mind if it changes the tone either or makes it fatter, punchier, etc... I just want one that evens the volume of the strings out. btw I also read the review for the the LMB-3 here.

Thanks!
 
#2
No, not like you are wanting. The LMB-3 is great at taming spikes, and as a compressor it will technically raise the lows a bit, as well...but it does it to the whole sound not necessarily just the lows on your E string. The LMB-3 can be sort of transparent-ish, but if you dial it in an attempt to tame the E string you will end up with a very colored sound, probably one you won't necessarily like.

In all of my experience evening out string volume (or volume at different parts of the neck) it's entirely in the setup of the instrument. I know you've been working that angle, but the bass itself really is where you need to solve it, and it is indeed usually a pickup thing (either spacing from the strings, spacing of the magnets, or the pickups/magnets themselves). What kind of bass is it? What kind of pickups? What kind of strings?
 
#4
The bass that I'm talking about is my Fender PJ Jaguar, with EMGs. I don't know what strings they are (they've been on from when I bought the bass) but I can tell you that I hate them. I've noticed that they're really good for slap but I don't play slap. I'll be getting some Rotosound SS (my strings of choice) in November cuz I live in Canada and they don't ship here, so I have to send them to my aunts place in Florida. Anyway, I've had Rotos on my other bass (pickups adjusted) and didn't notice any difference in volume or between strings. But with my Jag, I notice it without even listening for it. I'm beginning to think that it's generally just the strings but I'd still like to get a comp that will even them out (even after I get my Rotos). Maybe you could suggest a comp that's good for that sort of thing...? Thanks for the help guys!
 
#5
Okay, I play P/J's so maybe I can actually help.
Let's just see.
Try this first: On the P pickup, tighten the two screws closest to the E string.
This will pull the pickup away from the strings.
You may even want to make sure the spacing between the pickups and the strings is correct overall.
Either look the info up interwebs style or take it to a tech.
 
#6
devinp17 said:
I'm beginning to think that it's generally just the strings but I'd still like to get a comp that will even them out (even after I get my Rotos). Maybe you could suggest a comp that's good for that sort of thing...? Thanks for the help guys!
Click to expand...

Awesome, check out Sunn's tip, too. I play P/Js as well, and have had jaguars of different varieties; there shouldn't be noticeable disparity like that. Sounds like strings may be a good bit of it. EDIT: and if it's one that has an onboard preamp, that will make any small problem sound a lot worse.

The LMB-3 is a nice intro to compressors IMO because of its price point and sound/performance (keep that presence dialed off!), especially if you know what you are getting and have read ovnilab.

FWIW, what works better for me for evening out that kind of thing, though, is a preamp pedal or an EQ pedal.
 
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#7
Thanks Sunn. Lately I've been trying to put the E side of the P down as much as possible, but at the same time: keeping the A side as high as possible, since the E is so much louder. Do you think putting the whole E-A side down will even it out much? I'll try it, but I always thought doing that would result in making the A side much lower volume than the E side. I could be wrong though. I was just trying to avoid bringing the pups down because EMG tells you to bring them as close to the strings as possible. Which, generally, I like it that way because of the hotter sound you know... btw thanks for the tips, jumble!
 
#8
Hmmm...
If you've already lowered the E side...
I think I'm with jumblemind on this one...
Just wait till your strings get here and see what happens.

As far as compressors go, I purposefully did not get a compressor and went limiter (LMB3) instead as I just wanted to tame volume spikes.
I mean, bongo's ovnilab site is the place to go.
Read 'em all, I did.
 
#10
devinp17 said:
Holy sh!t really?! That's alot... I'm not a big reader lol. Thanks for the help guys, I'll probably start looking into compressors again after my strings get here. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I'm not either.
I f**king hate reading.
Now, stockpiling tech/bass nerd info, that I can get behind.
 
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#14
Lebowsky said:
If you haven't bought them already, I'm pretty sure BSO can send to Canada... Invalid Link Removed

I would try with new strings first as well... and maybe check your onboard/amp EQ too
Click to expand...
Mosfed said:
I have to agree with Lebowsky. Before buying a compressor, try some new strings. I am sure you can find someone to ship Rotos to canada.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys. I'm already with BSO (and thanks, I forgot that they ship to Canada) but I'll have to pay more to get them shipped here... I hate paying for shipping. But BSO also has the best prices and I also do the custom string set cuz the gauges that I want, Rotosound doesn't make. Thanks for the help though.
 

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