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NBD: 2008 AmStd Jazz V - Anticipointment

#21
I'm not going to rule out my own lack of experience with 5-strings on this. Clearly technique has a big part to play on how the B string sounds. It seems like the more time I spend with this bass, the better it is starting to sound. Of course, I've also tweaked the setup several times in the last couple of days and that has been improving things as well (added more relief, lower action, lowered pickup height.)

At this point, my biggest gripe is that as I go up on the B-string, there are odd oscillations/harmonics that almost sound like the string is out of tune with itself. Changing pickup height doesn't seem to improve it. I've heard that's common on 5 strings though...

Anyway, things seem so be improving. I'm looking forward to properly installing some new strings. I appreciate the feedback about different strings. I'm thinking I should order several sets and do some experimenting. Also planning a trip to a guitar tech this week.
 
#22
dlstyley said:
I'm not going to rule out my own lack of experience with 5-strings on this. Clearly technique has a big part to play on how the B string sounds. It seems like the more time I spend with this bass, the better it is starting to sound. Of course, I've also tweaked the setup several times in the last couple of days and that has been improving things as well (added more relief, lower action, lowered pickup height.)

At this point, my biggest gripe is that as I go up on the B-string, there are odd oscillations/harmonics that almost sound like the string is out of tune with itself. Changing pickup height doesn't seem to improve it. I've heard that's common on 5 strings though...

Anyway, things seem so be improving. I'm looking forward to properly installing some new strings. I appreciate the feedback about different strings. I'm thinking I should order several sets and do some experimenting. Also planning a trip to a guitar tech this week.
Click to expand...

The oscillations/harmonics are almost certainly due to magnetic pull on the B string. I've dealt with and cured this problem on several basses. The pickups may have to be lower than you expect, but it is entirely possible to get a fantastic B-string all the way up into the dusty fret region on that bass. If the pickups are close enough to attract the string, it will essentially "choke" it off as the string vibrates. The sustain will be very short and dull, and the harmonics will be pulled out-of-tune with the fundamental. String materials and tension have an impact on this, too. A lighter gauge or more ferrous string may have to be farther from the pickup than a heavier gauge or less ferrous string.

I've owned both '95 and '08 Am. Std. Jazz Vs and I was able to get the B-strings sounding GREAT on both basses. The '95 was Alder/roserwood and had custom-wound SD pickups in it. The '08 was alder/maple and had Lakland/Hanson pickups in it. The '08 in particular had among the best B-strings I've ever had - including my 35" scale basses - and it was comparable to every Lakland or Modulus I've ever played, and a little better than my EBMM SR5.

Taking it to a good tech may or may not solve the issue. Just don't assume that any tech will even hear the issue, let alone know what to do with it. In my experience, most people's answer to the overtones was literally "don't play up there".

One other thing that I found helped was getting the B-string intonation as close to perfect as possible (I use a Peterson tuner). The combination of proper intonation, setup, and pickup height has enabled me to get some great-sounding B-strings on a number of different 34" scale basses, including 2 USA Fenders.

Good luck with it.
 
#23
lowfreqgeek said:
I've owned both '95 and '08 Am. Std. Jazz Vs and I was able to get the B-strings sounding GREAT on both basses. The '95 was Alder/roserwood and had custom-wound SD pickups in it. The '08 was alder/maple and had Lakland/Hanson pickups in it. The '08 in particular had among the best B-strings I've ever had - including my 35" scale basses - and it was comparable to every Lakland or Modulus I've ever played, and a little better than my EBMM SR5.
Click to expand...

I currently have your old '08 J5. You ain't kidding that the B string on it is great.
 
#25
Every single review I have read about fender B strings has been bad. Every Fender 5 I have tried hands on had a lame B as well. So I steer clear of them.

I never used my personal favorite strings on them though. I at least prefer a .130 as my B string gauge. In that price range of a bass ($1000 -1500) Musicman and Modulus are a much better bet for a B string IMHO.

A 3 band active electronics help a lot also. Active lows and mids can bring out the best in a B string.
 
#27
Quick Update: Waiting for my new strings to show up, I took the b-string off and strung it through the body. This had the effect of reducing the amount of tapered portion of the string that was actually vibrating.

Great Success!!! while the funky overtones and deadness aren't complete gone from the upper frets, they are VASTLY diminished, and the B-string is a lot more solid to boot!

Thanks for all the feedback about strings and tapered -vs- non-tapered! I don't think this necessarily means all tapereds are bad, but this particular type doesn't work with this bass.

Feeling much better about it now that I've seen that adjusting the string has a clear impact on tone and feel... now if that damn brown truck would just show up....

Thanks guys!
 
#29
Good thought, but I don't think so. I've changed the pickup height from all the way down to all the way up, and everything in between. I'm almost certain this has to do with the this string and the taper. I will know for sure in a couple of days though.
 
#31
BTW - Did I mention the white speckling all over the bass. I was certain it was overspray. I've told the seller about all these issues. He is saying he sells stuff for a friend that owns a music shop and he should have checked it more carefully... Here is his latest response via eBay:

"Hi, I was just in bed and all of a sudden it hit me! While I was downtown last week picking up the bass the owner of the store was all proud about how he had painted his ceiling at his store, I looked up and I thought he had used a roller but now it is all falling into place. I am going to his store tuesday and ask him about the paint for sure, really sorry. The bass was definitely below where he was painting , so now I am sure he must have used white spray paint, hard to believe the guitars were not covered. Sorry sorry! I will let you know what he has to say. Hopefully it will come right off. Good Lord! "

The good news is that it is coming off, with rubbing alcohol and a LOT of elbow grease.

"Like New" he says... "Excellent Condition".... Seriously? This bass played like ass, had saddles switched around, is missing two springs, had a joke of a stringing job, loose tuning machine nuts, loose string trees, and had white overspray all over the edges and horns.

I'm a live-and-let-live, benefit-of-the-doubt kind of guy, but this was a bit much. To his credit, he is acknowledging the problem and appears to be willing to do something to resolve it. Grrr....
 
#32
I pretty much expect a crappy/weird/different set up when I get any new bass...... :confused:

usually takes a good hour or two to tighten, clean, buff, setup, check and re-string a new bass.

the paint issues aren't acceptable though.
 
#34
Well you have found the easy victory for Fender B-Strings for sure...ALWAYS string through the body.

Best result for me so far on a 2010 AmStdJazz V have been EB Super Slinkys...with a 125 B String through the body. Plus, I don't know if it is dumb luck or my ears, but all of my "live" cabs have 12" speakers instead of 10's.

I am a life long Fender Jazz hound, so I am partial to my fiver.
Sorry about Evil-Bay, but you are on a long list that have been somewhat duped.
 

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