• 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.

Uneven string volume

S

sruby6

Apr 15, 2009
14
0
#1
Hello fellow keepers of the groove, I have a question about string volume. I play a MTD Z6 modified with Bartolini pick ups and an Aguilar pre-amp through a SWR750 head, I notice when playing my D, G and C strings to not come through in the live mix. When I play anything on those strings and especially in the higher register of the fret board it is very week sounding. I adjusted my string height and this does not help and also have tweeked my tone and let other musicians tweek it also but with no luck. Is there anything that someone can recommend? I have been looking into compressors but am not sure if this is the right route. Many thanks in advance for anybody taking the time to read this and respond.:bassist:
 
#5
What type of strings are you using? I know this might not make sense but an unbalanced set along with your playing style might be the problem. I had this same issue with my Lakland 55-01 and later with my Conklin 7. I had S.I.T. recommend a full balanced set for me and now I can hear every note equally across the fretboard.
 
#6
Bassman7PM said:
What type of strings are you using? I know this might not make sense but an unbalanced set along with your playing style might be the problem. I had this same issue with my Lakland 55-01 and later with my Conklin 7. I had S.I.T. recommend a full balanced set for me and now I can hear every note equally across the fretboard.
Click to expand...

Good point. I might add that there's always the possibility that a string(s) could simply be bad. The chance of 3 strings out of 4 in a set being bad, however, strikes me as unlikely. Checking your pup height in relation to your strings, and review of EQ settings are more common elements of your problem.
 
#8
Bassman7PM said:
What type of strings are you using? I know this might not make sense but an unbalanced set along with your playing style might be the problem. I had this same issue with my Lakland 55-01 and later with my Conklin 7. I had S.I.T. recommend a full balanced set for me and now I can hear every note equally across the fretboard.
Click to expand...

+1 here.
I had this problem with my 4 string, using DR hi-beams. My D string would sound "deadened" for some reason. It could have been defective. After changing to a new set, this went away.
 
  • Like
Reactions: comatosedragon
#9
Start with everything flat, (bass EQ & amp EQ) if the E string is still way dominate over the others then lower the pup(s) a little on the low E side of the pup(s). Then start tweaking EQ settings. (probably a small bump on mid & hi-mid should help).
Remember that a little usually goes a long ways.
 
#10
sruby6 said:
Thanks for all the responses! I appreciate all the feedback. I am using D'Addario 170L's.
Click to expand...

Same here. I had two sets that had a duff string recently.
Im guessing that its not the strings if they sounded fine before, it cant imagine 3 strings going at once.
Definitly check the pup height/angle.

Also, test this out with only one pup at a time, just to eliminate a faulty pup.
 
#12
The compressor suggestion was made awhile back to me by a friend and I have been looking into this. Do you have any model suggestions? Been looking at the Aguilar TLC and the Markbass Compresore.
 
#14
Once you start venturing into the guitars range you will get lost in the mix, the only thing to do is boost the mids but then you may have an ugly town in the lower frequencies. Its all about balance and its not easy especiall mid song. Many time i have my controls set a very unusual settings that sound great when playing with the band but terrible when playing solo (having a volume/overdrive pedal can be good for this if you have some solo stuff mid song).

Also a room size can greatly influence your sound, if you played on a hollow wood stage your bass would be booming, yet place it on a cocrete floor and it soaks up all the vibrations and sound more trebly.
 
#16
Geddyfleaharris said:
I use a rack mount dbx.

Check out Bongomania's compressor reviews in the following link. Great place to start. Bongo knows his stuff.

http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml
Click to expand...

Tell us a little more about the application / optimal settings, please. I have a dbx 166 XL sitting on a shelf that I'd like to install. I'm presently using a BBE OptoStomp (two knobs....less likely to screw things up).

As I understand, you can achieve a better balance throughout the range via the judicious use of the compressor and expander.

Riis
 
#17
On my dbx 1066 the chain is set up as - expander/gate ---> compressor ----> peak limiter.

I don't use the expander/gate at all. I perceive the gate as something that cuts off unwanted sound below a certain level. I seem to have a fairly quiet signal chain. I have read that using a gate is masking a problem. Fix the problem rather then put a band-aid on it. Doubt if everyone agrees with that but that's the theory I am going with.

On the compressor I use the auto setting - their manual says for "classic" dbx sound. Then you don't have to worry about setting attack and release. I have used those in the past but am happy with the the "auto" setting. The threshold is set at around -20 to -10, light compression at 2:1. I don't "squish" my sound with heavy compression.

The peak limiter is set at +8 to +10.

That gives me a nice, clean, transparent sound. The compressor is on all the time.
 
#18
sruby6 said:
Thanks for all the responses! I appreciate all the feedback. I am using D'Addario 170L's.
Click to expand...


That could be the problem ... Try TI PowerBass or SuperAlloys...

Another could be pickup heght. You might try lowering the pickups and lowering then further on the bass side.

FWIW on compression. The Gate is primarily used to fix things in a live setting or as an effect while recording... the 'things' would be ringing drums in a loud environment the vast majority of the time. IMO - the 166XL is overkill in a bass rig... I run one as a brick wall before my mains in the FOH rack. It's a decent comp for sure. In a bass rig I can get as much out of a Punch Factory/ OptoStomp as just a smidge is plenty for me and any more than a smidge rob's punch.

EQ - making sure that the lows are in balance with the highs and the mids is a tricky thing. Lots of variables bass to bass, rig to rig ... I can say that moving to a fEarful12.6 has me dinking with the EQ lot less than I ever have before. (with the possible exception of last Saturday night where I was fighting a not very good sounding room, standsing about on top of my cab and a keyboard heavy mix - some nights it's chicken, some it's feathers ...)
 
#19
SlingBass4 said:
Good point. I might add that there's always the possibility that a string(s) could simply be bad. The chance of 3 strings out of 4 in a set being bad, however, strikes me as unlikely. Checking your pup height in relation to your strings, and review of EQ settings are more common elements of your problem.
Click to expand...

I was about to mention this. If the D/G/C side of your pickups is screwed too far down into the body, you would have a volume drop in relationship to the other strings.

Chances are, the best pickup orientation is with that side of the pickup closer to those strings.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back