Double Bass Dead D

[Bass for Beef]

I testing out a new 2006 KC strings bass for a month. As I play up the A the fingered D sounds relativly stuffy. Also in thumb position on the D the notes seem dead. What adjustments could help it? Possibly differnt strings?

 

[anonymous0726]

First thing that I'd try is another string.

Does it have gut strings? I've heard the D strings with guts can be tricky.

 

[Jake]

From what I've heard from a fine luthier and experienced myself, many times new basses need to be played in. Correct me if I am wrong, but a lot of times those notes will open up after being played for a while. Which KC Strings bass is it?

 

[Bass for Beef]

its a Richard Williams 7/8 Bass. It has been opening up for that past couple week. I have about 2 more weeks to decide whether or not i'm goin to keep it. It does sound alot better than when I bought it.

 

[drurb]

From what I've heard from a fine luthier and experienced myself, many times new basses need to be played in. Correct me if I am wrong, but a lot of times those notes will open up after being played for a while. Which KC Strings bass is it?

Whether or not one accepts the "opening up" as being related to changing physical characteristics of the bass, I have never experienced a bass having identifiable problems (as is the case here) that were resolved by playing-time.

It may simply be the case that the bass needs good set-up work.