Double Bass Is it just the bass?

[klem.gote]

My bass, while not a top of the line bass, is a good instrument. The g string rings out clear and loud all the way up the neck. The e string is loud, clear, lots of great growl. But the d string starts getting dull as i move up the neck, and the a string is even a little worse. It's been set up by a good luthier. I use Spiros, have tried both the Mittels and Weichs with pretty much the same results. Is it just the nature of the instrument or can something be done? I'd appreciate any thought at all, thanks!!!

 

[john_g]

IMHO, on all the basses Ive tried, the higher you go up the neck, the less "punch" you get on the notes. For example, if you fret a C on the third fret on the A string, it will sound more punchy than fretting it higher up on the E string. Again, IMHO, its minimal and every bass is different so it could just be your bass, so it may be a combination of the two.

 

[drurb]

We don't do frets over here on the dark side. The complaint is clearly that there is a difference in character among the strings. Assuming that the strings are fairly new and in good shape, it might be a good idea to have a luthier check/adjust the position of the sound post. If it's in the best position and the problem persists, then it is likely that it's the bass. Uneven response is, unfortunately, a hallmark of lesser instruments.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey klem, if you want people to go to the trouble of writing a response, you need to go to the trouble of filling out your profile! Thanks

 

[trans]

My bass, while not a top of the line bass, is a good instrument. The g string rings out clear and loud all the way up the neck. The e string is loud, clear, lots of great growl. But the d string starts getting dull as i move up the neck, and the a string is even a little worse. It's been set up by a good luthier. I use Spiros, have tried both the Mittels and Weichs with pretty much the same results. Is it just the nature of the instrument or can something be done? I'd appreciate any thought at all, thanks!!!

All instrumments have there low points.

 

[klem.gote]

Sorry about that Jake!! Just registered today, got my question in before before I did the profile. It's done now!!

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Now you're talking. There's no need to post your question twice, it just makes my lips tire sooner!

You should find a luthier who understands afterlength tuning and mode-matching. These techniques will eliminate some major sources of phase cancellation and allow your bass to do its best.

Eric Swanson, who's in your general area, wrote some posts about a guy he worked with - you might do a Search in 'Setup'.

Good luck!

 

[zeytoun]

Question: If this were simply a soundpost placement (or an uneven response) issue, as drub suggested above, then wouldn't the weak spots in certain pitch areas be independent of the string choice (i.e. around C, whether on the E or A string)?

I'm just a newbie, but suggestions based on individual string settings, like M. deVilliers' afterlength tuning (or fingerboard, individual string, bridge groove issues), makes more sense to me.

Am I misunderstanding?

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Am I misunderstanding?

I don't think so, but that's just my opinion!

The soundpost position also addresses the tuning of the plates in a small way, so it could be part of the problem too.

 

[drurb]

Question: If this were simply a soundpost placement (or an uneven response) issue, as drub suggested above, then wouldn't the weak spots in certain pitch areas be independent of the string choice (i.e. around C, whether on the E or A string)?

I'm just a newbie, but suggestions based on individual string settings, like M. deVilliers' afterlength tuning (or fingerboard, individual string, bridge groove issues), makes more sense to me.

Am I misunderstanding?

Well, Jake's a luthier and I'm not so he can provide more complete information. I wasn't sure at all that the OP's problem wasn't actually independent of string choice and constant in terms of the note played. Now that I reread his post I see what you mean. Maybe Jake can expand on how afterlength tuning or other factors can end up affecting a note played on a particular string. Specifically, other than a bad string, what would, for example, make the A at the neck-heel on the D string sound poor while the same A on the G sounds fine? It would be instructive, for me at least. I would think that the placement of the sound post might actually be one of the factors that can do this given that the bridge would be driven at a different point by each string. Jake?

 

[klem.gote]

Hi, and thanks to all for you input!! I'm pretty sure that strings are not the problem as I've tried two sets of Spiros, Mittels and Weichs, both new, with similar results. But drurb nailed the issue, the A on the G string sounds great, the A on the D string is dead. Likewise the E on the D string vs. the E on the A string. Meanwhile the G and E strings sound great all the way up and down the neck. Very frustrating!!! But thanks again to all for your ideas!!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Think about it this way: if one string is shorter than another, will the short string have more or less harmonic character than the longer string? Logic, and science, suggests it will have less - less mass is vibrating to make the same note, right? That's one reason why an open "A" always sounds bigger than the 5th fret of the E string. There are other factors, of course - and in your case you might have some dead spots that are killing you. Hard to say without seeing the axe...

Were I you, I'd go to a music store and try a higher-end bass. If you play one and notice the same thing you are seeing on yours, chances are that what you are seeing is normal and that you need to adjust your ears a bit, if you know what I mean!

good luck

 

[klem.gote]

Hi Harry! Well, I think I do know what you mean, and thanks, though I've been around long enough that I trust my ears. And while I understand what you're saying about string length, it doesn't explain why the C on my E string rings out loud and clear while the C on my A string doesn't. It's a mystery to me. Where's luthier Sherlock???

 

[drurb]

Think about it this way: if one string is shorter than another, will the short string have more or less harmonic character than the longer string? Logic, and science, suggests it will have less - less mass is vibrating to make the same note, right?

Well, aside from the questionable scientific analysis )), we all know that open strings sound different and that fingered notes in higher positions on one string sound different than the same fingered note in a lower position on a higher string. What klem reports is that the notes are "dead" on two of his strings and it's clear that he means that they sound abnormally so. In addition, klem reports and effect quite opposite to the norm, specifically that the C on the E rings out moreso than does the same C on the A.

 

[EggyToast]

Right, playing high on the E usually sounds "worse" than playing on, well, most other strings, if they're available.

Could it be something up with the fingerboard? If the soundpost's been setup well, perhaps the luthier you had do it tested some basics but overlooked something with the planing.