Problem with Fender P A string

[MtManiac]

I just bought a used MIA Fender P 2006 American Series with the 60th Anniversary sticker on the back of the headstock, rosewood fretboard if that makes a difference.

When I play the a string heavy, coming off the E string, like say 5th fret E to 3rd fret A, I get this "whump"sound just after the tone of the note that I'm playing on the A string. I thought at first that my speaker was farting out, never having heard a speaker do that before, and not knowing what it might sound like. I took my cab all apart before testing it with my practice amp, found nothing, and then tested it with my practice amp rollno: ) and still got the sound. I also changed the strings, and still got it.

I lowered the pickup and it seemed to go away, but I'm not sure whether that may be that whatever is causing the sound is still happening and I'm just not picking it up, or whether maybe the poles under the A string are just really strong and it *is* making my speaker fart out. I've only noticed it on the 1st and 3rd frets, but didn't try it on the 2nd or 4th. It's not there on the 5th. Lowering the pickup makes everything too trebly, and even with flats it's more zingy than I like.

Another idea I had is that my finger is hitting the E string when I play heavy on the A string, and the thud of my finger hitting the muted E string is getting picked up. I could play less heavy but the reality is that after 25 years I'm not likely to change that anytime soon and it's p**sing me off.

I'm worried that maybe something is wrong with the neck, or the pickup. The pickup is less of a concern as I could take my chances with a 62 RI off eBay.

Ideas?? I need help!!

 

[Juniorkimbrough]

maybe the string is hitting the pole piece?

are the pole pieces raised up from the pickup housing.

some pictures and/or soundclips would be helplful if possible.

 

[jasper383]

3 things come to mind, all of which I have observed in my playing from time to time with Fender style basses:
The angle of the A string over the nut on Fenders needs to be as sharp as you can get it, especially if you play hard. Too shallow an angle can do strange things to that A string.
Too little relief can sometimes lead to me hitting the board a little down on the low frets. Check your relief.
You may be hitting the E string down as you suspect. Try to be aware of the force you are using, and try to pull across the string, not down into it.

 

[MtManiac]

maybe the string is hitting the pole piece?

are the pole pieces raised up from the pickup housing.

some pictures and/or soundclips would be helplful if possible.

That's kinda what it sounds like, but the pole pieces are not raised at all. I don't know if pics will help as it looks perfectly normal and appropriate, just like my other P as far as set up goes. I don't have the wherewithal to take sound clips - how do you do that? I hate asking stupid questions...

 

[lonote]

I lowered the pickup and it seemed to go away, but I'm not sure whether that may be that whatever is causing the sound is still happening and I'm just not picking it up, or whether maybe the poles under the A string are just really strong and it *is* making my speaker fart out. I've only noticed it on the 1st and 3rd frets, but didn't try it on the 2nd or 4th. It's not there on the 5th. Lowering the pickup makes everything too trebly, and even with flats it's more zingy than I like.

Another idea I had is that my finger is hitting the E string when I play heavy on the A string, and the thud of my finger hitting the muted E string is getting picked up. I could play less heavy but the reality is that after 25 years I'm not likely to change that anytime soon and it's p**sing me off.

I'm worried that maybe something is wrong with the neck, or the pickup. The pickup is less of a concern as I could take my chances with a 62 RI off eBay.

Ideas?? I need help!!

If you lowered the part of the pickup that picks up the A string and didn't lower the part that picks up the D and G strings, it stands to reason that the bass will sound "trebly" or "zingy." Try lowering the the "treble" part of the pickup.

I think you hit the nail on the head, actually, when you talk about hitting the E string when you play hard on the A. You may want to raise your string heights a bit. I think this is a technique issue rather than an equipment issue and you'll need to adjust your equipment to accomodate your technique.