Should an open played string sound the same as it's fretted counterpart???

[dwayland]

Greetings,

I receintly purchased a Schecter Stiletto Delux-4 Bass. My question is this. When I play an open string, such as an open A and then play an A, fretted on the D string, should'nt they sound the same? They are in perfect tune with each other, but the open string sounds much fuller and the fretted string sounds mutted, muffeled and dull. Is this simply the way it is? Or is there somthing wrong with my setup. Schecter set up thier basses so they are ready to play right out of the box so I have done nothing as far as adjusting the bridge. If anyone could educate me on this, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[tempo2112]

It wont sound the same, no. It should be the same pitch, if intonated correctly, but the tone is different, as the nut is not usually made of the same material as the frets (zero fret systems not withstanding). Also the tone is different because of the shorter string length on the fretted note, and differing mass (thicker/thinner strings).

 

[DanielleMuscato]

I agree with Tempo; on most instruments, no, they will not sound the same. The nut affects the tone, as does the string gauge, and the length of the string (harmonics in different places over the pickups, etc). One way to help is a zero fret, but that only addresses one issue. On high quality instruments, the difference is usually closer to negligible, but it will always be there. Optical pickups are another way to minimize the difference (they pick up all the harmonics very evenly regardless of the actual string length), and this combined with a zero fret, and more similar string gauges, might make it less noticeable.

By the way, I guarantee live audiences will never notice. I wouldn't worry about it.

Dave

 

[morf]

The note will be the same but the sound will be fuller, thicker on a bigger string as far as I can tell. Also theres the same difference in thickness between fretted notes and open ones.

 

[dwayland]

Then you all very much for your comments. I really appreciate it! I just wanted to make sure that there was not something wrong with the bass itself. I also have an old (1983-84) Peavey Foundation and have never noticed the differance like I am hearing now on my new Schecter. This is only my 2nd bass ever and have never played another bass so I just wanted to make sure. By the way, I love this new Schecter. It's real pleasure to play as compared to my good ole' Peavey Foundation. Thanks again!

 

[DeanT]

When I play an open string, such as an open A and then play an A, fretted on the D string, should'nt they sound the same? They are in perfect tune with each other, but the open string sounds much fuller and the fretted string sounds mutted, muffeled and dull.

This is the whole point of frets on a stringed instrument. The notes will sound muted because you are essentially "choking off" the sound by pressing the string to the fret. This is what is supposed to happen. So, no, there is no problem with your bass.

 

[Osprey]

You can use the difference to effect the sound you make: in different numbers, inside a number, or in general. Some people always play up the neck to avoid open strings, or to play those higher notes on the lower strings. I think Jamerson used lots of open strings.