Upgrading For Volume

[Robert Spencer]

I have a Hohner Acoustic/electric that I like a lot. One problem though that I want to cure is the issue of volume uniformity. The D&G strings are not nearly as loud as the E&A, especially in the higher frets.I love the tone I`m geting from it otherwise and feel it`s a well made instrument worthy of upgrading. Can anyone offer a suggestion as to what I can to to get better response from the higher notes? Thanks & take care. Bob

 

[Samsound]

Adjust pickup height, have you tried that yet? Raise treble side and/or lower bass side.

Or is this a piezo bridge kinda thing?

 

[SnakeKappele]

Adjust pickup height, have you tried that yet? Raise treble side and/or lower bass side.

+1

 

[mikezimmerman]

If it has an acoustic guitar type bridge with a piezo pickup under the saddle (rather than magnetic pickups like an electric bass uses), then this is a fairly common problem on less-expensive instruments. In order for the output to be even across all strings, the saddle has to sit perfectly level in the slot and press down evenly on the pickup under each of the strings, and getting that right can require some fine-tuning and manual filing on the saddle.

Fortunately, most good instrument techs who work on acoustic guitars should know how to set the instrument up to get more even string response.

 

[Robert Spencer]

I think it`s a piezo setup. No pickups are in sight. There is a plastic bar that serves as a saddle and fits into a slot in the bridge. I don`t know which side of it to file away to get more response from the higher strings. Seems as if I need to file away on the treble side to bring the strings down but not enough to gain fret buzz in the process. Is that correct?
I live on an island in SE Alaska. You guys are my tech support. Nothing here, not even a music store to give help. I am hoping to be able to resolve the issue at home without sending the instrument out. Thanks for the input received. Take care. Bob

 

[David Jayne]

... In order for the output to be even across all strings, the saddle has to sit perfectly level in the slot and press down evenly on the pickup under each of the strings,....

That's key. Sometimes the bridge saddle isn't flat on the underside- this causes it to not touch, or barely touch, the pickup in some places. This isn't about string height- it's about uniform pressure on the underside of the bridge saddle against the pickup. Also common is for the bridge saddle to be a sloppy fit in the slot- this causes it to rock toward the headstock, effectively prying itself away from the pickup. In this case somewhat more elaborate repairs are needed(new bridge saddle usually, or a very close-fitting shim to remove the slop).

 

[mikezimmerman]

Seems as if I need to file away on the treble side to bring the strings down but not enough to gain fret buzz in the process. Is that correct?

No, exactly the opposite. The thing that makes the signal louder or softer is how hard the strings are pressing down on the saddle--or really, the pickup beneath the saddle--not how high they are off the fretboard. If you file the bottom of the saddle beneath the D & G strings, you'll make them put even *less* pressure on the pickup underneath.

Instead, you might try putting a very thin wood shim under the saddle that's slightly thicker on the G-D side. Then you can sand that to see if you can even out the response between the strings. To start with, though, take the saddle out and make sure that it's perfectly flat on the bottom.

 

[walterw]

The thing that makes the signal louder or softer is how hard the strings are pressing down on the saddle--or really, the pickup beneath the saddle--not how high they are off the fretboard. If you file the bottom of the saddle beneath the D & G strings, you'll make them put even *less* pressure on the pickup underneath.

yep.

"voicing" piezo saddle pickups is a bitch, even for old pros. sometimes more pressure under a string means more volume, sometimes it means less.

it's a rabbit hole you probably don't want to fall down, so i'd get it looked at.

To start with, though, take the saddle out and make sure that it's perfectly flat on the bottom.

or at the very least, that there's not a toothpick or a matchbook cover under half the strings throwing off full contact under all 4.

 

[Robert Spencer]

I don`t know if this is a clue or not to support or disagree with the present trend that the problem is likely due to saddle fit but I`ll throw it out there for what its worth.
Today as I practiced i took note that on the D string i had normal volume through the seventh fret. The G string was normal only through the third. E&A strings were fully functional throughout the length of the neck. Some notes are quite noticably louder than others which further motivated me to upgrade electronics overall, if that`s a possibility. Hope this helps. Thanks again & take care. Bob

 

[Robert Spencer]

Today I removed the bone saddle to see if there was crud or anything in it causing the problem. To experiment I put it back in in the opposite rotation. Things got better on the treble end but lost some on the bass side. But it did show me that the trouble is as you guys have been saying. I then turned the bone saddle back around and found I had gained a couple of frets on both small strings. The saddle is home made and one piece. My other Hohner bass has a saddle with individual string adjusting allowence almost identical to this one: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h11/guitar4u/guitars/ELcapitan/2.jpg
I think i like this a lot better. Is it simple to chanhe to this type of bridge? Are they readily obtainable? Thanks & take care. Bob

 

[Robert Spencer]

Going through the Stewart Mac catalog I find shaped bone saddles like mine but not entire adjustable type saddle/bridges.
Anyoen know where to look for these? Thanks & take care. Bob

 

[David Jayne]

Today I removed the bone saddle to see if there was crud or anything in it causing the problem. To experiment I put it back in in the opposite rotation. Things got better on the treble end but lost some on the bass side. But it did show me that the trouble is as you guys have been saying.

Bob, realistically, unless you are an expert luthier, you really can't tackle this yourself. It will be an excersise in frustration.
Your best bet, honestly, is to take your bass to an acoustic guitar guy- they have the most expertise with with these issues- they see it all the time, as many acoustic guitars have these peizo pickups, along with their problems.

Having said that, I have a Washburn acoustic bass. Not a high-end model. Piezo only. It's always given an even tone across all strings, at all positions. No work has ever been needed, and I've owned it for 15 years. So it can be done; don't dispair.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I'd take the bottom of the bone saddle to a block of wood with sand paper on it (either 320-grit or 400-grit). And just lightly run the saddle across the block until it's flat & more flush. Then try re-installing it and see if that helps.

 

[Robert Spencer]

I n my last post I mentioned looking for an adjustable bridge/saddle unit like my other Hohner bass uses. I had no luck and was told by a well known supplier that they have not stocked the item in 10-15 yrs now.
So at this point I am considering swapping units between my two basses. They are both Hohner and look to be interchangable dimensionally.
Does this seem like a reasonable approach. The better of the two (preffered) is the one with nonadjustable saddle/bridge. Will I need to take this issue to another forum or is it still a matter to be discussed on the pickups & electronics forum. If it seems doable I will begin a new thread to cover it. Thanks & take care. Bob