I NEED more punch/sustain!

[lug]

I played doom metal though an Aguilar TLC Compressor on a bass with a zero nut that was neck-thru and my cat died. I don't recommend this option for pet owners.









note: I don't really own a cat

 

[dkelley]

Invalid Link Removed

Zero fret on all basses (by default).

/offtopic

Sweet

 

[dkelley]

I played doom metal though an Aguilar TLC Compressor on a bass with a zero nut that was neck-thru and my cat died. I don't recommend this option for pet owners.

Lmao

 

[Auspex]

fifth - get heavy gauge strings. To the guy that remarked "drop C on 34" length?", of course you can do that. C is only a semi tone higher than the B string on 34" 5 strings. As someone said, get the right guage strings here... like 120 to 130 for your C, on upwards in values of 20 to 25 between each string (depending on your guage preferences.

I was just checking his scale. I use drop C on a 34, so I feel comfortable giving advice about that setup.

I use 124s

 

[JJR58]

I know this is all subjective, but I don't have any sustain issues (as noted above) and play with low action and very heavy hands.

Not saying this applies to all.

 

[curlyback]

My am dlx jazz 5 had terrible sustain when I first got it.
But a good setup made it perfect.
It's pickups have strong magnets. So I lowered the pickups, raised strings a little and lml.

 

[Scottkarch]

If you want to play with a heavy hand, a compressor with even out the initial spike and keep the volume up longer.

A compressor will not be able to compensate for the very different tone that comes in that initial transient when you pluck the string hard. So, even if the volume stays the same you will notice a difference in tone that sounds like a decaying note.

I really recommend playing more softly and turning up your volume. The combination if playing softly along with a compressor will be able to accomplish what you're looking for.

No bass can keep up the volume level of that first rapidly decaying sound of a strongly plucked string. The energy dissipates too quickly, initially.

Dropping the pickups down a bit may help as they won't be as close to the widest/loudest part of the string vibration. Magnetism decays with the square of the distance. A tiny difference in distance will make a noticeable difference in the magnetic field interacting with the strings. Dropping your pickup and raising your volume should have a similar effect to playing more softly.

PS
Adding the compressor will
Allow you to wail in the string for an aggressive punch that doesn't get too loud. You will hear the tone of a punchy attack but the compressor will kep the level in line with your other notes. I have a markbass tube comoressor and live the gritty tube distortion it adds when I push it hard.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Did you plug it in with a new Monster "Bass" cable too?

I hear they do wonders for your tone too.

Completely useless in every regard....until you get the heavy gauge power cable that costs $500. Now THAT will give you sustain for days! Because of course all that wire-thin gauge electrical wiring in the wall needs to transfer to a cable 50 times thicker than them to give your amp all the power it needs. This in turn will cause the low frequency spirits to manifest in your amp with glee and help you play like Jaco and The Ox got merged into one person and put on an Iron Man suit. Make sure you play Mustang Sally while in this state, it's a requirement to keep the suit from shutting down.

 

[dkelley]

Completely useless in every regard....until you get the heavy gauge power cable that costs $500. Now THAT will give you sustain for days! Because of course all that wire-thin gauge electrical wiring in the wall needs to transfer to a cable 50 times thicker than them to give your amp all the power it needs. This in turn will cause the low frequency spirits to manifest in your amp with glee and help you play like Jaco and The Ox got merged into one person and put on an Iron Man suit. Make sure you play Mustang Sally while in this state, it's a requirement to keep the suit from shutting down.

ah! You've experienced it too! Thought it was the Smirnoff...