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I just got an RV5 a month ago and my B sting is doing this (noticeably lower un-focused volume). It is killing me, I have tried replacing the string, adjusting pick up height. I cant figure it out. I have never had this problem on any other bass. I am taking it in to a tech in denver this weekend to see if they can diagnose it... If not, I guess I will send it in to sadowsky. In every other way the bass sounds amazing, I am sure I will get things sorted eventually.
But in the mean time I am stumped. The Pick-up looks to be the only other culprit I can think of.
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
I just got an RV5 a month ago and my B sting is doing this (noticeably lower un-focused volume). It is killing me, I have tried replacing the string, adjusting pick up height. I cant figure it out. I have never had this problem on any other bass. I am taking it in to a tech in denver this weekend to see if they can diagnose it... If not, I guess I will send it in to sadowsky. In every other way the bass sounds amazing, I am sure I will get things sorted eventually.
The b on my NYC is very solid and even (possibly louder). I use a 0.130 ss b string too and always play my pickups set very close to the strings. After a setup try a different possibly single coil pup. Solved a lot of issues for me. I went with a nordstrand sc.
Chef
In Memoriam
Now thats a time capsule
The first line reads:
If you type www.sadowsky.com on an Internet-connected computer,.................
Chef
In Memoriam
Also keep in mind string TYPE matters a LOT, and the matchups between strings and different basses is a very "personal" one. What works great on one type of bass, may not be the right match for another... especially for how each of our individual ears and tastes govern things.I just got an RV5 a month ago and my B sting is doing this (noticeably lower un-focused volume). It is killing me, I have tried replacing the string, adjusting pick up height. I cant figure it out. I have never had this problem on any other bass. I am taking it in to a tech in denver this weekend to see if they can diagnose it... If not, I guess I will send it in to sadowsky. In every other way the bass sounds amazing, I am sure I will get things sorted eventually.
What kind of strings are you using and what gauge?
Well, I've never really had a "problem" per se, but I have had varying levels of goodness.
One of my current faves... even on other basses, is the Sadowsky Blue SS strings. I also like DRs a lot... especially the HiBeams... they're a little slinkier due to the round core, but I also find their tonal purity and coherence to be really good and they last a long time too. For stiffer DRs I like the LoRiders.
For a more classic tone, the LoRiders also come in Nickel (just as the Sadowsky Blues do) and the nickel version of the HiBeams are the "SunBeams". I generally go 45-125/130.
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
Thanks for all the responses; I just have the stock strings on, which I believe are the blue label 45-130T. It sounded like a string issue at first, so sadowsky was nice enough to send me another b string- but I had the same issue. I also tried an old R. Cocco string.
The main characteristics of the b string is a lower volume, unfocused sound, and a bit of a worbal/overtones (just very anemic sounding). I thought at first it must either be the string or the pickup. After I pretty much determined that it is not the string, I though maybe the pickups are too close to the string- causing some magnetic weirdness, so I lowered the pick ups, and still had the same issue - low volume (compared to the other strings) and worbal. You can hear this difference when the bass is unplugged as well. The string just sounds wrong. Maybe a frequency anomaly? or a bridge issue? Who knows? All the other 4 strings sound great, it will just be my faux 5 string for now
I am sure yours will be fine. Mine is an outstanding bass other than this issue that I am having, and I am sure it will get worked out. Sadowsky customer service has been amazing and I am sure it will not be my last Sadowsky that I will buy. I can't say enough about how much I love playing this bass!!! you will love it for sure
Thanks Don! I'm sure it will. Sadowsky does not have the reputation in product and service for no reason.
Thanks for all the responses; I just have the stock strings on, which I believe are the blue label 45-130T. It sounded like a string issue at first, so sadowsky was nice enough to send me another b string- but I had the same issue. I also tried an old R. Cocco string.
The main characteristics of the b string is a lower volume, unfocused sound, and a bit of a worbal/overtones (just very anemic sounding). I thought at first it must either be the string or the pickup. After I pretty much determined that it is not the string, I though maybe the pickups are too close to the string- causing some magnetic weirdness, so I lowered the pick ups, and still had the same issue - low volume (compared to the other strings) and worbal. You can hear this difference when the bass is unplugged as well. The string just sounds wrong. Maybe a frequency anomaly? or a bridge issue? Who knows? All the other 4 strings sound great, it will just be my faux 5 string for now
Try a labella hard rockin steel 128T. If that doesn't sound good something is really off.
I've seen basses where guys have lowered the action so low that they have to play with feather touch. That's fine if played with the same touch on all strings, but often with very low action the smaller strings can be plucked harder than the B. This causes the B to either sound weak or buzz bad when plucked with enough force to make it loud. Don't know that this is your issue, but I'd try raising the B up a touch and seeing if that helps at all.
+1 to raising the action a bit. Worth a try.
Another possibility: the string had a twist wound up in it (i.e., had a bit of rotational torque left in it as it came up to pitch). I've been very happy with a Circle K balanced set on my RV5, but I've learning to watch out for that when I restring. It really seems to degrade the pitch definition on the B.
I just leave about an inch at the ball end when I start winding the string up with the tuning peg, and check that there's no twist in it before I seat the ball end in the slot and bring it up to pitch the last bit.
Another possibility: the string had a twist wound up in it (i.e., had a bit of rotational torque left in it as it came up to pitch). I've been very happy with a Circle K balanced set on my RV5, but I've learning to watch out for that when I restring. It really seems to degrade the pitch definition on the B.
I just leave about an inch at the ball end when I start winding the string up with the tuning peg, and check that there's no twist in it before I seat the ball end in the slot and bring it up to pitch the last bit.
