Oscillation problem with Fender Bass

oscillation?

sounds like you need to tune it better (which may require a proper/good setup).

 

The slight difference in tuning between the two notes is causing destructive interference between the two waves. The peaks and valleys of the two notes are cancelling each other out in an oscillating pattern consistent with the slight difference in pitch. The greater the difference in pitch the faster the oscillation. When you're tuning your guitar you want to use this oscillation to your advantage. You set the pitch slightly low and then slowly turn the tuning key to raise the pitch while playing the reference note and the string you are tuning simultaneously. The oscillations you noticed will slowly decrease in frequency as you turn the key until you can't hear them anymore. When the oscillations are gone, your string is in tune.

You need to check this in several places on the neck to be sure you are really in tune though. I check the 5th harmonic vs 7th harmonic first, the open note vs 5th fret, and the 12 fret vs the 17th fret. Except that on a low B on a 5 string I don't bother with the 5th vs open note, I can't hear anything down there to tune with its too low.

The 5th harmonic and 7th harmonic method is the easiest to tune with because you don't have to hold them down the whole time to make them sound the notes. You can hit them and they ring out on their own so your hands are free to tune the instrument. Makes it really easy to hear the interference oscillations and get it precisely in tune.

 

There may be a high fret somewhere between the nut and the 5th fret under the D string. I've had a similar thing occur on a Fender AV '62 Jazz Bass I owned years ago.

 

You are correct I hastily misread. My apologies.

I think you need to describe the oscillations more thoroughly or make a recording of it for us.

It could be some weird problem with the instrument. But it would be an unusual one. Normally the problem would persist with a single note.

It kind of sounds like you're just hearing the harmony of the two notes. Whenever you play two different notes, the ratio between the two notes causes them to interfere in a certain way. Every interval and chord interferes differently, but each one has a certain signature oscillating warble. You can actually use it to identify chords and intervals once you become accustomed to hearing it. This effect is really at the core of what harmony is.

The effect can sometimes be intensified by saturating the signal to an extent, like some distortion. Too much distortion though and it just becomes noise and you can't discern the oscillations anymore. It can be more or less pronounced depending on the amp and amp settings.

I might be totally wrong. But you can check by playing other intervals and chords and listening carefully to see if they also produce a similar oscillation to the one you noticed. Though you might expect them to be less pronounced.

 

It could be a bad set of strings. I’ve had that experience and is truly annoying.
Best of luck, pretty sure you’ll be fine after setup. Bring new strings to setup guy.

 

Please try one more set. High quality like dr or labella...
Sounds like you may have gotten stuck in a production run.
You can buy strings at the tb store...
I know it could be wasted money but I believe it’s worth a try OR call your guy and get his opinion before heading over there.
I mostly use labella Rx, Dunlop, Dunlop Marcus miller( for jazz basses only), I think that’s about it. Dunlop’s are bright and a touch tight. Rx has a tonal profile I really like. The highs are prominent but it seems to more or less cutoff at a slightly Lowe feq. Really improves the top end, strings have a lot of flex and you use .118 b string w no issue. They’re B strings are matched in volume to the other strings which is nice but I think you’re running 4 strings.
Hope the insight helps. Good luck. I will use steel but prefer nickel.

 

Intonation.

 

Not understanding.

its not normal!
I would never let gc do a setup for me. They are not great techs. If Long Island NY, I’d give you my guy.

 

The intonation of the bass is set at the bridge - you adjust the screws the saddles ride on. Setting your intonation is easy and only requires a good tuner and a screwdriver. You can find lots of resources to help you with this. I recommend Jerzy Drozd's Ultimate Setup Guide.

As far as your issue goes, it could be the nut slot is too wide. You can easily test this with a paper shim. Just slip a piece of paper under the string, at the nut, and see if the issue persists.