Strange Difference in Sound Per String

[jeronimoski]

Hi all,

I have done an little experiment, and was wondering if my results were normal or odd.

Ibanez SR premium 5 string.

Truss rod was checked. I also checked the action. B is 2.2, E is 2.2, A is 2.1, D is 2.0, and G is 2.0 (cm).

I played each note and recorded it. My g string sounds much brigher and louder than the rest. I have attached a wavelength picture to this.

Any help? Is this normal? The G string is on the left and the B string is on the right.

 

[Slade N]

Brighter, yes…as far as louder….check your pickup height and plucking technique

Also, are these fresh/brand new strings? If they have wear, lower strings usually get played more and will be deadened some in comparison

 

[mambo4]

It could be any of : technique, pickup height, string quality, post-bass signal chain and more.

SR 54 has many knobs and EQ options, might be an incorrect setting
Does it persist of you bypass the preamp?

 

[jeronimoski]

Knobs are set in the middle. The strings are chromes. It happens when I have nickel wound strings on, as well. It happens when I switch the bass into passive mode, too. In that test, I plucked with the same finger with the same strength. Nothing in the chain.

 

[smperry]

This could be so many things, but I'm moving it to technique.

A brighter sounding G sounds like a string issue to me, but it sounds like the OP has tried multiple sets. Lowering pickup height might help both volume and tone, but I understand not wanting the other strings to go down.

 

[jeronimoski]

Technique? I tried it with even downstrokes with a pick and the same issue. It's not my technique.

 

[mambo4]

One or both pickups could be high on the G string side. Maybe check the distance to the string center between E And G strings at both pickups.

or

some part of your monitoring system emphasized the G and it’s overtones… less likely imho

is the problem consistent all along the G as you fret, or just the open string?

or

the room your in has a standing wave that emphasizes that range … even less likely I think

just brainstorming possibilities

I assume you are plugged to an amp or headphones of course. Unplugged noises are rarely a concern

 

[eniac]

This is one of the disadvantages of pickups that can’t be adjusted for individual string volume. The 12” fretboard radius isn’t helping, either, because that puts the outer strings closer to the pickups than the inner ones. If you can, as an experiment that may (or may not) work out, try lowering both pickups as far as they will go without breaking something, and see if that helps. There will be audible side effects that may or may not appeal. On my Sting Ray, I run my pickup heights almost as low as they’ll go, and I run all string heights level, i.e. in a flat plane as seen from the side, rather than following the fretboard radius. (You will of course have to re-intonate after the string height change.) Yes, with level string heights, string-to-pickup distance differences will slowly increase the further toward the bridge you play, but there is a noticeable improvement in general, and I’m satisfied with the outcome. So, there’s 2 things you can try.

EDIT: Just realized one of my suggestions duplicated what smperry said. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I went through this with the D and G strings on Jazz and Precision basses. I ended up slightly elevating the pickups on the outer G side, and slightly lowering the respective strings to sonic taste. The bass may have "official" heights prescribed for each between strings and pickup magnets, but sonic variations occur due to string type and the way you strike/pluck each string. You can make these adjustments yourself in a minute or so while playing the bass. You'll hear the fullness when the sweet spot is reached. The best position is the one that sounds best to your ears. Easy!