Absolutely. But the difference in the loudness and quality of the clanking noise coming out of the amp when fretting vigorously is different beetween the two basses in a similar way to the unamplified sound in the air of tapping the necks. Makes me think that it's more likely some property of the neck itself than of, say, the frets or the strings themselves.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Absolutely. But the difference in the loudness and quality of the clanking noise coming out of the amp when fretting vigorously is different beetween the two basses in a similar way to the unamplified sound in the air of tapping the necks. Makes me think that it's more likely some property of the neck itself than of, say, the frets or the strings themselves.
It does seem to add low end but going from rounds to flats will change a lot more than just adding some low end. If you like the feel and sound of your strings, maybe try a good paraEQ first, it could solve your problem while keeping the rest unchanged.
The controls on an amp are generally quite limited as they are only boosting/cutting preset frequencies. A paraEQ pedal allows you to fine-tune your EQ by letting you choose the width and value of the frequencies you want to boost/cut.
Something like that:
(I love this pedal!)
So, if your only problem is a lack of low-end, this should fix it. This is basically a Swiss army knife for the EQ.
Now, to be fair, this is a lot more expensive (and has a learning curve) than a set of strings so maybe you could try something like a set of DR Lo-Riders and see if you're happier with the sound. Or, as you asked, a set of flats. But keep in mind that they will transform your sound quite a lot.
I like this design with its zero fret and 18mm bridge spacing. It looks well thought out. Pretty similar to the Ibanez EHB counterpart but it doesn’t have that problematic locking jack and the head end string anchors look more substantial. There have been multiple complaints of EHB string anchors cutting through the string. Hopefully the string anchors on this model can securely hold each string without damage. It looks new enough that I don’t see price or availability data yet.
Last edited:
They are indeed split coils. After I removed the MK-1s from my B4 ASRM I opened them to reuse the caps and I could indeed verify that they are in-line split coils.
It's interesting that you don't like them in your ASRM, neither did I so I ended up replacing them with a set of EMG J's. I quite like the MK-1s in both my B4 ASFL and my B4 Element, but I couldn't get along with them in the B4 ASRM, they lacked definition and sounded dull with the Fender flats.
About them lacking low end I think it's partly because of their position in the instrument. Here is a side-by-side of my B4 ASRM with my P-bass, you can see that the bass side of the pickup on the P-bass is slightly further up than the neck MK-1 on the B4. That placement, among other factors, probably affects the low end of the B4.
I meant to ask, how far are the pickups from the strings? This factor alone can make or break your sound. They should be at about 1/8" / 3mm or even a hair closer for optimum rendering. Even a bad cable can kill your sound. Have you tried another cable to see if you hear a difference?
Also, what strings are you using, and what type of amplification? Playing with a pick or fingers?
many thanks for sharing your knowledge about this. i am surprise to hear that you like how it sound in your B4 element, could it be because of different preamp?
I was also planning to string it with flat, perhaps i'll put that on hold.
i'll check the string height, 3mm is for the thickest or thinnest string?
Yes, I do like the preamp in the B4 element.
Not the string height, the pickup height. The distance of the pickup to the strings should be around 3mm. Start there and then fine-tune.
I check the pickup distance to the strings and it was around 9mm, i adjust it to around 6mm, E string starting to having a chorus effect sound at 12fret and above
i also check the neck pickup distance from fret 12 to the neck pickup center, it was at 12inch, yes longer than Pbass around half inch for the E A string
Attachments
9mm is way too much, even 6mm is a lot. I just checked and all my B4 have the neck pickup at between 3mm and 2.75mm from the bottom of the strings. I do not experience any chorus sound with these settings.
Your pickups being that far from the strings are at least part of your problem with the lack of low end, I'm pretty sure. Bring the pickup to 3mm and see how it sounds, you should definitely have more low-end. If other problems arise from this simple setup, then I would advise you to take your bass to a tech because it might have some problems that need to be addressed.
Last edited:
thanks a lot for this pics, it tell a lot!
nice flatwound string you got there. u prefer the sound of flat better than round?
Hello Cort club, sorry to disturb you, and please discard if this message disturbs.
I have spoted this shiny piece of wood and electronics for sale pretty cheap used in a local shop in my neighborhood, and I am not sure the description matches perfectly the model. It looks nice to me, I might go and try it one of these days...
It is only B5 written on the headstock, can you give me a model reference ? And feedback if you know this specific model. Is it OK ? Is it heavy ?
Thanks a lot
I have spoted this shiny piece of wood and electronics for sale pretty cheap used in a local shop in my neighborhood, and I am not sure the description matches perfectly the model. It looks nice to me, I might go and try it one of these days...
It is only B5 written on the headstock, can you give me a model reference ? And feedback if you know this specific model. Is it OK ? Is it heavy ?
Thanks a lot
The serial number starts with 10..... I therefore assume it is an older generation B5 manufacturerd in 2010.
