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The Official Swan Custom Basses Thread

#123
Hi current and future Swanners,

Just thought I'd share here a video of my recently acquired Swan - demonstrates just one sound that the Pope pre is capable of, this is lo mid boost and slight hi mid cut. Pickups in the middle with both tap switches down. Vintage tone about half way.

Still dealing with an issue in the upper register of the the B and E strings (warbling/phasing tone) but overall I love the instrument ! Love to hear what you all are creating with them too.

Desmond

 
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#124
Des White said:
Hi current and future Swanners,

Just thought I'd share here a video of my recently acquired Swan - demonstrates just one sound that the Pope pre is capable of, this is lo mid boost and slight hi mid cut. Pickups in the middle with both tap switches down. Vintage tone about half way.

Still dealing with an issue in the upper register of the the B and E strings (warbling/phasing tone) but overall I love the instrument ! Love to hear what you all are creating with them too.

Desmond

Click to expand...


Amazing playing!

I also get this warbling effect when I play high up on the B. I hadn’t noticed. Is it something a different string gauge can fix?
 
#125
Thanks man !

Have tried a few different strings now - hex core made it marginally better but issue still there. Christian initially suggested it could be the pickup height - but that's not it, I removed the pickups and issue was still audible acoustically. Have read that it can be a characteristic of short-scale/headless basses, but at least on mine the notes above 12 fret on the E and especially the B are basically unusable ... is this on a newer swan or older that you're noticing it ?
 
#126
Des White said:
Thanks man !

Have tried a few different strings now - hex core made it marginally better but issue still there. Christian initially suggested it could be the pickup height - but that's not it, I removed the pickups and issue was still audible acoustically. Have read that it can be a characteristic of short-scale/headless basses, but at least on mine the notes above 12 fret on the E and especially the B are basically unusable ... is this on a newer swan or older that you're noticing it ?
Click to expand...

Brand new. I received it last week from Christian. I notice it especially on the high D on the B. I have the original Magma strings on it, but bought lighter strings by Labella to try.
 
#132
Meant to come back with an interesting update - i tried my friend's matt garrison fodera 5 the other day, short scale headless circa $10k or whatever they go for - and it had the same issue ! Perhaps it's just a trademark of these short scale basses, though you'd think there'd be a way to mitigate it somehow ... of course we aren't playing up there all the time but it'd be nice to just get one note instead of two from anything above 12 fret on B or E.

Let us know if your tech can shed any light !
 
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#133
Des White said:
Thanks man !

Have tried a few different strings now - hex core made it marginally better but issue still there. Christian initially suggested it could be the pickup height - but that's not it, I removed the pickups and issue was still audible acoustically. Have read that it can be a characteristic of short-scale/headless basses, but at least on mine the notes above 12 fret on the E and especially the B are basically unusable ... is this on a newer swan or older that you're noticing it ?
Click to expand...
Any update on strings? @Des White or @Just Wrong Any thoughts on what strings I should use for a 7 string?
 
#134
Just Wrong said:
I feel like the thinner strings have helped a bit, but the issue is still there. (Although I'll take it over the usual dead spot on the G string of full-scale basses). I have a set up scheduled with a technician in a couple of months. I'll ask him about it then.
Click to expand...
Also, how do you find the bass' semi-hollow tone vs a solid body? I initially selected chambered.... but yours looks so awesome!!
 
#139
teopatl said:
Anyone happen to know what size truss rod wrench Swan typically uses? I have an RHO needing an adjustment
Click to expand...

Mine is 5/8", IIRC. I tried using the one included with the bass, but it's cheap and slightly bigger than the truss rod's. Once I finally got it in, I couldn't get it out and when I finally did I chipped the bass around the hole :(

You can always message Christian on Instagram. He's very responsive -- any time of day, any day of the week.
 
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#140
Des White said:
Meant to come back with an interesting update - i tried my friend's matt garrison fodera 5 the other day, short scale headless circa $10k or whatever they go for - and it had the same issue ! Perhaps it's just a trademark of these short scale basses, though you'd think there'd be a way to mitigate it somehow ... of course we aren't playing up there all the time but it'd be nice to just get one note instead of two from anything above 12 fret on B or E.

Let us know if your tech can shed any light !
Click to expand...

I tried a Fender Mustang the other day and it had the same issue on the 15th fret of the E string.
 
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