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How to increase sustain?
- Thread starter 440Hz
- Start date
@Smash,
Yeah...I'm just trying to be more "involved" in the TB community, ha ha ha. Maybe I can make 6314 by the end of this thread & catch up to you...
~S~
Yeah...I'm just trying to be more "involved" in the TB community, ha ha ha. Maybe I can make 6314 by the end of this thread & catch up to you...
~S~
Compressor
set for late attack and release adjusted to taste
See the Sadowsky website FAQ too; there's a suggestion by Roger for a device that mounts to the headstock.
www.sadowsky.com
set for late attack and release adjusted to taste
See the Sadowsky website FAQ too; there's a suggestion by Roger for a device that mounts to the headstock.
www.sadowsky.com
@ Fuzzbass
Aphex Big Bottom all the way. i got sustain city going on with my bass. hipshot bridge, strings through body, fat finger and aphex 104 with big bottom. the fatfinger is a very nice little piece of equipment. it does indeed help sustain, but there are probably upgrades that cost the same that would have a greater effect...like, bigger strings in this particular instance. an aphex 104 with big bottom can be found on ebay for about $70 and it is worth every penny.
edit: for even more low end, an aphex 204 aural exciter might be better, but they do cost more.
Aphex Big Bottom all the way. i got sustain city going on with my bass. hipshot bridge, strings through body, fat finger and aphex 104 with big bottom. the fatfinger is a very nice little piece of equipment. it does indeed help sustain, but there are probably upgrades that cost the same that would have a greater effect...like, bigger strings in this particular instance. an aphex 104 with big bottom can be found on ebay for about $70 and it is worth every penny.
edit: for even more low end, an aphex 204 aural exciter might be better, but they do cost more.
According to certain posters from other threads, backed with all kinds of pseudo-scientific arguments, graphite rods in the neck will increase sustain.
So, to answer the question, have your neck drilled to accept graphite rods, then insert said rods.
So, to answer the question, have your neck drilled to accept graphite rods, then insert said rods.
Tuning down to C is pretty low. If you want a big sound you need big strings and big speakers.
I think you would need a minimum of a .125 string for a C - maybe even a .130.
As for sustain:
If you want more unamplified sustain, more weight to the bass will give you this.
There is a product called a Fat Finger - just a weight added to the headstock - it will add some sustain.
Thicker strings will add sustain (more weight).
Heavier hardware on the bass will add sustain (such as a heavier bridge and heavier tuning keys).
If you have unamplified sustain, it will help in your final amplified sound. But there are ways of adding sustain electronically.
The most common way to add sustain is probably compression. A good compressor will add sustain without affecting your tone. There are alot of compressors out there - you need to try one on both a small rig and a large rig to see if it will work for you.
Beware - I have tried a compressor that sounded fine through a small combo, but when running through a large rig or a PA, you could hear pumping.
Other items that could add some sustain include Aphex Aural exciters and BBE processors. Aphex even makes a Bass Xciter pedal.
Using multiple speaker cabs can add sustain also - especially if a very large cab (such as a Folded Horn with an 18) is used with a cab with smaller speakers (such as a 2x10). The smaller cab gives you immediate punch while the larger cabs lows swell a little longer.
Heavier strings - yes. More tension, less floppy, more sustain. Also clearer tone, if you're detuning four semitones. Do it. You may be afraid of the increased effort that goes with the increased tension, but if you currently have the action raised to keep those floppy strings from buzzing, you'll be able to lower it back down, making playing easier.
Fat finger - don't count on it to increase sustain. Could help. Primary purpose is to attempt to eliminate dead spots.
Heavier bridge - yes.
Graphite rods - Would probably increaes sustain a bit. But their primary purpose is to provide stiffness, and resistance to environmental factors.
But if you generally play "technical" and only occasionally need a long note - use bass pedals or a keyboard. Or a compressor on the BG if that's good enough.
Fat finger - don't count on it to increase sustain. Could help. Primary purpose is to attempt to eliminate dead spots.
Heavier bridge - yes.
Graphite rods - Would probably increaes sustain a bit. But their primary purpose is to provide stiffness, and resistance to environmental factors.
But if you generally play "technical" and only occasionally need a long note - use bass pedals or a keyboard. Or a compressor on the BG if that's good enough.
I second the suggestion to experiment with the setup.
Try this: play an open string and listen very carefully. Then, play an open string while bending the neck forward by pushing the headstock forward, simulating forward bow. Try again, pulling the neck back, simulating backward bow. You should definitely hear a difference.
Try this: play an open string and listen very carefully. Then, play an open string while bending the neck forward by pushing the headstock forward, simulating forward bow. Try again, pulling the neck back, simulating backward bow. You should definitely hear a difference.
