Double Bass Open string starts flat, then comes up to pitch

[Chris Fitzgerald]

OK, it's an old set, so the answer is probably "put on a new string and see what happens". But I've not experienced this one before - the open G starts flat, then gradually rises to pitch. Normally, it's the other way round! The 8ve harmonic does the same thing, but much faster. I wouldn't ask, but the strings sound so dark and great that I hate to change them.

On the other hand, I just spent a couple of hours the other day with a really good track that I recorded using a tuning plugin to find every open G in the track and bring it up to pitch. Ugh... not the way that's supposed to work!

I guess the good news is that the stopped notes were in tune. I'm going to use a tuner on my office bass to see what a bass with a younger set of dominants looks like on the tuner.

 

[Sam Dingle]

OK, it's an old set, so the answer is probably "put on a new string and see what happens". But I've not experienced this one before - the open G starts flat, then gradually rises to pitch. Normally, it's the other way round! The 8ve harmonic does the same thing, but much faster. I wouldn't ask, but the strings sound so dark and great that I hate to change them.

On the other hand, I just spent a couple of hours the other day with a really good track that I recorded using a tuning plugin to find every open G in the track and bring it up to pitch. Ugh... not the way that's supposed to work!

I guess the good news is that the stopped notes were in tune. I'm going to use a tuner on my office bass to see what a bass with a younger set of dominants looks like on the tuner.

check the fresher set of dominants on the office bass and see what happens.

BUT if I remember correctly your set is Dom with a stark E that is 8+ years old...its time. With no gigs right now this is the perfect time to break in a fresh set. I remember people saying they keep their strings on till the open strings and harmonics are out of tune...sounds like what you have.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@Sam Dingle Yeah, it's probably time. I'm doing a lot of recording in place of gigs these days, so I may make one more track on these (and then go select EVERY. SINGLE. OPEN. G in the tuning plugin and bring it up...) and then replace the Dominant top 3. I'll want to order an extra set in case I break one. The stark still seems to be true, so it can stay.

I have to say, having to tune all of those G's on the track was an eye/ear opening experience. I learned a lot about my intonation habits, but most importantly learned that my expectation that the open strings would continue to be in tune with the piano is something I need to temper. *







* see what I did there?

 

[Sam Dingle]

@Sam Dingle Yeah, it's probably time. I'm doing a lot of recording in place of gigs these days, so I may make one more track on these (and then go select EVERY. SINGLE. OPEN. G in the tuning plugin and bring it up...) and then replace the Dominant top 3. I'll want to order an extra set in case I break one. The stark still seems to be true, so it can stay.

I have to say, having to tune all of those G's on the track was an eye/ear opening experience. I learned a lot about my intonation habits, but most importantly learned that my expectation that the open strings would continue to be in tune with the piano is something I need to temper. *







* see what I did there?

My worry would be the Spiro would sound dead next to the top doms. That’s an interesting thing about intonation. I assume we all have that tendency

 

[Wasnex]

OK, it's an old set, so the answer is probably "put on a new string and see what happens". But I've not experienced this one before - the open G starts flat, then gradually rises to pitch. Normally, it's the other way round! The 8ve harmonic does the same thing, but much faster. I wouldn't ask, but the strings sound so dark and great that I hate to change them.

On the other hand, I just spent a couple of hours the other day with a really good track that I recorded using a tuning plugin to find every open G in the track and bring it up to pitch. Ugh... not the way that's supposed to work!

I guess the good news is that the stopped notes were in tune. I'm going to use a tuner on my office bass to see what a bass with a younger set of dominants looks like on the tuner.

Just an idea, if you are consistently having to adjust the pitch of the open string one way or the other, you might consider detuning the string slightly to compensate.

As far as why this is happening: Could it be the mechanical coupling at the bridge or nut is changing the effective string length in relation to string excursion. I.E. the string is longer when string excursion is longer. Check the shape of the grooves and reset witness points. Since the strings are old, the bends from old witness points may be a factor leading to string length varying with excursion as well. As you say, the solution is probably new strings.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The solution is new strings. The OP plays professionally and is an educator, and he changes strings as often as I buy shoes. Some answers are just obvious.

 

[Lee Moses]

Just an idea, if you are consistently having to adjust the pitch of the open string one way or the other, you might consider detuning the string slightly to compensate.

That would then put all the stopped notes on that string out of whack. That would drive me bonkers.

 

[Wasnex]

That would then put all the stopped notes on that string out of whack. That would drive me bonkers.

I agree. However, whether the idea has merit would depend somewhat on how badly the intonation of the open string is. If the problem is just barely noticeable, what I suggest may help...or not .

As has been suggested, replacing the string is probably the best solution.

 

[Don Kasper]

For the Love of Dog - Can someone start a Go Fund Me page so that this poor man can just buy himself a new string?
(not kidding.) (just kidding.)
Thanks.

 

[Aidan Woodward]

My bass had a similar problem with the open G recently. I took it in to have a new pickup fitted and have a small crack repaired. My luthier reset the bridge and I haven’t had a problem with it since.

 

[james condino]

On the right bass, a Spirocore Stark E is a powerful powerful string that growls for about ten minutes & has a bit of magic when dropped down to D...

 

[Martin Beer]

I wonder what the physics are behind the note being flat at the attack? Stiff strings can go sharp during the early portion of the note when the amplitude is greatest, but this one I'm having trouble visualising.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I wonder what the physics are behind the note being flat at the attack? Stiff strings can go sharp during the early portion of the note when the amplitude is greatest, but this one I'm having trouble visualising.

This is kind of what is confusing me about this. New string time it is, though!

 

[MrLenny1]

Hmm, Magic? lol