sterling by musicman Ray34 - EQ question...

The harmonic content of the note varies between strings/frets due to different length and density/gauge and the diffetent position of the pickup relative to the sounding length. You should notice these differences even without messing with the EQ. As you go to higher frets and thicker strings the notes take on a fuller, richer or thicker tone. This is what the EQ has to deal with. It can't put in what isn't there to begin with. What you are hearing is a natural phenomenon, and certainly nothing unique to the Ray34. As you become a better player you will start to use this to your advantage - choosing a note to play is far more about where and how you play than just the basic pitch.

 

It might be worth checking the adjustment of the pickup height. Just +/-1mm at either end can make a huge difference to the tone of the G string and the overall string-to-string balance.

 

by saying you adjusted the string action, do you mean you adjusted the neck relief via the truss rod?

adjusting the saddles and sometimes the nut - that would be adjusting the action.

did you change what strings you have on the bass and give the new strings several days to lose the new string sound? i find different strings can make a huge difference in tone.

 

You probably already know this - The tone knobs on those types of ACTIVE (Active meaning there are batteries that power the EQ/Pickups, etc.) basses (bass, mid, treble) usually have a center notch (called a "detent") where the knob stops in the middle of it's full travel. That is the "flat" setting. No frequencies are cut or boosted in this center position. Turning the knob one way from the detent (usually clockwise) will boost the frequency assigned to that knob, turning the knob the other way from the detent (usually counter-clockwise) will cut what frequency is assigned to that knob. Tone knobs on PASSIVE (no batteries) basses basically bleed treble off and that's it. Bass-ic stuff but some folks may not know this information.

 

For a “warmer” sound on the D and G strings, you may want to look into a compressor. Most basses sound a bit “thin” on the D and G because, as mentioned before, the length/density/gauge is much smaller on those strings. I have noticed my compressor helps this issue quite a bit. Although, if not used properly, a compressor can drastically reduce the dynamic range of your playing which isn’t always a good thing, just depends on your playing style.

 

Please try new strings. You should get a louder g string just cause they’re new.
Put on new strings, truss rod adjustment, then action adjustment via bridge.
Personally, I’m proficient at truss rod adjustments but I stink at string heights so if that’s involved, I bring to my setup guy.
It might pay to get a pro setup which is unlikely at a big box store. Maybe visit your fav club band and talk it up w the bass player.

 

get an acoustic guitar and play the same note on different strings and you will notice a difference in tone and overtones

 

The trick is to start in the center and boost or cut to get the tone you crave.
Instead of cutting treble, try boosting bass.
It took me some getting used to this, as I'm usually a crank it to 11 guy.

 

Yeah, you can't do that with a Stingray, your eyeballs will come out

 

Don't forget that Stingrays are a little notorious for a dinky sounding G. Relatively common.

I honestly thought it was not really a thing after reading about it until I started playing a precision.

 

Here's what I do if I want a warmer sound:

-dial down the treble (as you have tried).

-play mainly on the E and A strings (or B if you have a 5 string). Notes sound fatter on these strings and you avoid your aforementioned issue.

- play closer to the bridge side of the fretboard, 5th fret and above instead of going the next higher string.

- pluck closer to the neck.

- mute the strings at the bridge with my palm (or you could stuff some foam under there).

- pluck with thumb vs fingers

Besides not costing anything, I find some combination of the above gets me close to a useable, "warmer" sound.

 

Absolutely not.

I am a Stingray guy through and through, and as soon as I am able to get another Stingray, I will.