• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Could a Pickup or Pre-amp fix my volume spikes?

J

jgill312

Nov 6, 2013
30
0
#1
I am experiencing volume spikes on all A's and C#'s with my Fender MIM P Bass. I've ruled out room and amp, and my bass sounds fine acoustically. This leads me to believe it might be something to do with the electronics of the bass. Check out my post linked below for further detail.

Would/could a Pickup replacement or a Pre-amp installation help me even out volume for all notes across the board? If so, any recommendations?

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/uneven-volume-levels-specific-notes-1028562/
 
#2
That's an awfully strange problem. I would expect it to be the speaker cabinet or the room, but since you ruled those out it's quite the mystery. I doubt that a preamp would fix your problem. A compressor would probably make it less noticeable, though.

A pickup swap might help, since different pickups have different resonant frequencies. The MIM P-bass pickup isn't the greatest anyway, so it's worth the upgrade even if it doesn't completely fix the issue. I'd say it's worth a try.
 
#3
Projectile said:
That's an awfully strange problem. I would expect it to be the speaker cabinet or the room, but since you ruled those out it's quite the mystery. I doubt that a preamp would fix your problem. A compressor would probably make it less noticeable, though.

A pickup swap might help, since different pickups have different resonant frequencies. The MIM P-bass pickup isn't the greatest anyway, so it's worth the upgrade even if it doesn't completely fix the issue. I'd say it's worth a try.
Click to expand...

Yeah, very weird issue. Didn't notice until I started jamming frequently with a band, because those notes drown out the whole mix. I ordered a compressor yesterday, MXR M87. Had a $50 gift card through Amazon so got a new one for $110 with 2-day shipping, figured I could return it if I it doesn't solve the problem/sound good.

I've been looking into pickups for a while, I always thought the stock ones were weak. I know it ultimately comes down to preference, but any recommendations? I like a thick sounding bass response, looking for something with a lot of low end but not too muddy. I play Pyramid Gold flat wounds which I love, looking to emphasize them, maybe even beef them up a bit. I've been looking into Bartolini's but haven't pulled the trigger because I haven't been sure they're the ones.
 
#4
the comp is nice, but also try just lowering the pickup a little so the strings don't make it spike like that.
 
#7
i have some theories... a few are mentioned above but for the sake of the list...

1)wolf tone of some sort... though i dont get how it would affect EVERY a and c#
2)string twist/ cross talk... change your strings, or even just take them off and on
3)wood resonance- a myth? perhaps... but this COULD be the opposite of the dreaded 'dead notes'
4) pickups too close to strings
5) take no offense please... but maybe youre not doing a great job muting the A string? sounds unlikely from your description, but you know what they say about 'talking about music'
6)perhaps... maybe... the resonance of your pickups is ungodly.. how are your volume pots wired.. i have heard of people using the j-bass volume wiring to tame the resonant hump


it sounds to me like some kind of resonant coupled with the bass.. pretty convenient that it is A and c#- pretty much SCREAMS resonance to me..

p.s. try giving a litttttle tightening to the neck screws? just a hunch out of left field

i hope its the volume wiring thing, for the sake of curiosity, though i suppose that would be more of a tonal region, rather than a note and its overtones...




soundclips...?
soundclips!
 
#8
eddododo said:
i have some theories... a few are mentioned above but for the sake of the list...

1)wolf tone of some sort... though i dont get how it would affect EVERY a and c#
2)string twist/ cross talk... change your strings, or even just take them off and on
3)wood resonance- a myth? perhaps... but this COULD be the opposite of the dreaded 'dead notes'
4) pickups too close to strings
5) take no offense please... but maybe youre not doing a great job muting the A string? sounds unlikely from your description, but you know what they say about 'talking about music'
6)perhaps... maybe... the resonance of your pickups is ungodly.. how are your volume pots wired.. i have heard of people using the j-bass volume wiring to tame the resonant hump


it sounds to me like some kind of resonant coupled with the bass.. pretty convenient that it is A and c#- pretty much SCREAMS resonance to me..

p.s. try giving a litttttle tightening to the neck screws? just a hunch out of left field

i hope its the volume wiring thing, for the sake of curiosity, though i suppose that would be more of a tonal region, rather than a note and its overtones...




soundclips...?
soundclips!
Click to expand...


100% agree, something is hitting its resonance frequency on those notes, it's just weird that it's two notes, especially ones that are a major third apart. I'm very interested in #6 you have up there, I might look into that further. Maybe ill record a few samples today.

Also, compressor came in, it helps even things out but not 100% better. I pulled my practice amp out into a bigger room (my apartment has vaulted ceilings, so my living room has HUGE reverb. This actually made it seem less noticeable, but I could still notice it.
 
#12
bongomania said:
Did you get a C#?
Click to expand...

Ha! Either that or a Db, depends on how you look at it.

I've decided to invest in some pickups regardless, I've been into the Bartolinis, but have also heard good things about the Seymour-Duncans. I want something with a BIG FAT bass sound, but I don't want to lose out on high end. Also, I don't wan't the pickups to take over the tone of my Pyramid's, just enhance it. Any input/recommendations?
 
#13
eddododo said:
i have some theories... a few are mentioned above but for the sake of the list...

1)wolf tone of some sort... though i dont get how it would affect EVERY a and c#
3)wood resonance- a myth? perhaps... but this COULD be the opposite of the dreaded 'dead notes'


it sounds to me like some kind of resonant coupled with the bass.. pretty convenient that it is A and c#- pretty much SCREAMS resonance to me..

p.s. try giving a litttttle tightening to the neck screws? just a hunch out of left field

i hope its the volume wiring thing, for the sake of curiosity, though i suppose that would be more of a tonal region, rather than a note and its overtones...




soundclips...?
soundclips!
Click to expand...

Aren't these the same? I agree on the rest. Soundclips!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back