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E and B strings lack definition

makanudo

makanudo

Dec 26, 2008
1,677
1,033
#1
As the title says, all other strings sound with some twang you'd expect from a month old set of strings, but when I go to the lower strings E and B specifically, they get a bit boomy but with the clack of the low action.

I have my EQ set with a slight boost to bass, lowmids rolled back a quarter (9 o clock) high mids slightly boosted (1 o clock) and treble flat at 12 on an Acoustic B100 amp and playing with an Ibanez SR 505 pre mid switch all flat with balance at the middle.

Any ideas?
 
#4
Yeah I rolled back the bass but it wasn't that boosted anyway but i still don't like it. Could it be because of pickup height? I feel as if I slap an open A string and then slap the A on the E the open string is more alive and somewhat louder.
 
#5
Could be. Couldn't hurt to play around with the pickup height a bit and see if it helps. From your description it seems like your strings might simply be dead. Do you play on the B and E more frequently? Maybe a fresh set will solve your woes. I stand by the whole "cut back the lows" thing. Adjust your volume to compensate if you need to and give your ears time to adjust. When we're used to lots of low end thunder the tone can seem anemic at first once it's dialed back, but I find the mids can really be the magic zone for a nice punchy, clear tone (especially if you're playing in a band - goes double for heavy metal)
 
#8
That's the thing, I've never been to heavy on the bass side, it always stays at 12 so I don't think excess bass is the issue here.

Talking about mid magic, which mids are you talking about here, low, high, both boosted?

This set is like a month old so I guess it's pretty much dead so yeah that could be it too
 
#9
uOpt said:
Did you try higher action?

What happens with different strings?
Click to expand...

New strings always sound full and alive, I think it's maybe a dead set of strings but im surprised they only lasted like a month or so. I'll try different height configurations

DiabolusInMusic said:
Are they normally this dull? I wasn't impressed with my 505 as I found the pickups super dark amongst other things.
Click to expand...

Well with new sets of strings it's always alive obviously but I don't know, I think you are right in the way that these pickups are really dark. After some more playing I can definitely hear the note im playing (as in it's not boomy) but it just feels dull as you say.
 
#10
It's less to do with where your bass knob is set and more with its relation to both mid knobs. If you like your bass at noon, try boosting both mids up to at least 1:00 (and maybe more - experiment. I find low mids generally add punch/growl and high mids add clarity but that's also dependent on the frequencies that your amp adjusts). Just keep your bass knob less than the mids. If you're still finding it too dead / boomy sounding, my guess is the strings need replacing. Anyway, hope this helps!:)
 
#17
obsidianbass said:
It's less to do with where your bass knob is set and more with its relation to both mid knobs. If you like your bass at noon, try boosting both mids up to at least 1:00 (and maybe more - experiment. I find low mids generally add punch/growl and high mids add clarity but that's also dependent on the frequencies that your amp adjusts). Just keep your bass knob less than the mids. If you're still finding it too dead / boomy sounding, my guess is the strings need replacing. Anyway, hope this helps!:)
Click to expand...

+1

i find on my 5 string that if am wanting a little more presence in my bottom end the mids is where you will find it. and leave the top end at 12oclock, unless it sounds not so defined or clear when you play from 7th fret up.
 

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