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"Warble" sound on 4 string E

K

kcox15

May 2, 2011
5
0
#1
ok this is a strange one and I've left a couple of music store techs puzzled. I'm new to the bass and just playing in church - So here's the setup:

Schecter Damien 4 string w/EMG pickups
Ampeg BA112
MXR Custom Comp
Boss TU2
D'Addario strings 45-100 reg light
GHS Boomer Strings 40-95 light
and/or D'Addario 45-65-80 and GHS 95
............ and that's it

Every week, the director of music has a fit about the way the 'B' sounds on the -e- string/7th fret. Says it just resonates and what I've heard as 'warble/boing, etc.

Here's what I've done:
Changed settings on the amp
Changed EQ on the amp
Bought compressor and played with every setting possible
Made sure intonation was perfectly adjusted
Changed height on pickups

I don't know what else to do, so every time I get to a song that has 'B' in it, i barely play it, or change up to a higher octave. I thought about buying an EQ, but I don't want to keep sinking money just to fix a B. Is it something I'm doing wrong or is this lady going overboard?
HELP
 
#3
I'm not sure, can you elaborate a bit? I don't take them all off at once, I don't let the ball of the string in the bridge twist, I wind inside out (counterclockwise). So if it's something outside of that, I'm not sure what you mean.
 
#4
Strings can physically twist if you're not careful putting them on. They twist in the same manner as the outside windings - around the center of the core.

What I do, before I fully tighten my strings, is I pinch the string starting at the nut, pull the string toward the bridge, and dragging my hand along the length of the string. If the string is twisted, you should see the ball-end twist a little bit as you get to the bridge.
 
#5
I haven't done the method you describe, but they don't "appear" to be twisted. However, if I was stringing it wrong, wouldn't I get the complaint about other strings/notes as well? I guess I can try that the next time, but I've spent a fortune on strings alone thinking that was the problem - ha. Any other suggestions?
 
#6
Do you have the problem at home as well, or only at church?

Assuming it only happens at church, try putting your amp in a different location, up on a chair or a milk crate, other side of the stage, etc. Something in the room (hollow stage, drum head, furniture, window, etc.) is vibrating in sympathy with your B.

If my theory above is wrong, another thing you can check is that you are correctly muting the other strings of your bass so that they aren't vibrating in sympathy. The easiest way to do this is to lay your left hand lightly across the other strings.
 
#7
Just a suggestion for untill you get the problem fixed is playing a B on the second fret of your A string. Besides the mentioned possable problems have you checked the fret wire to make sure it isn't poping out? A loose fret wire could cause problems.
 
#8
Thanks a TON for the feedback so far - so to the last two posts:

Funny you mention moving the amp - I left that one out of the things I've tried. I bought a stand, moved myself physically to the other side of the stage, and the amp now faces from the side toward the rest of the group. Whereas before, when the amp was facing toward the audience, the sound guy says it's too loud. We are playing in a gymnasium on a stage for this one particular service. So with the drums and everything else I have had a really hard time hearing, but my amp has never been above '4' on the setting. They push me through the monitor, but I swear someone jacks with that everytime we get up there.

I think I may just move the amp back behind me again and really pitch a fit to get my monitor mix louder so I'm not turning the amp way up. The drummer beats the heck out of the drums and that's all I hear most of the time since I'm right next to his kit.:hmm:

Good point on the 'B' second string, I use that idea too. But I've received "comments" about that as well. I'm beginning to think she just doesn't like 'B'. I think everything sounds fine at home. Some notes I've found do tend to resonate more though. Especially in an acoustical environment like that gym.

So if I try an EQ, what would be a good one to use for the bass and I'll see if that helps. The only two I know of offhand are the Boss GEB-7 or the MXR 6-band M-109 - any other suggestions?
 
#9
Thanks a TON for the feedback so far - so to the last two posts:

Funny you mention moving the amp - I left that one out of the things I've tried. I bought a stand, moved myself physically to the other side of the stage, and the amp now faces from the side toward the rest of the group. Whereas before, when the amp was facing toward the audience, the sound guy says it's too loud. We are playing in a gymnasium on a stage for this one particular service. So with the drums and everything else I have had a really hard time hearing, but my amp has never been above '4' on the setting. They push me through the monitor, but I swear someone jacks with that everytime we get up there.

I think I may just move the amp back behind me again and really pitch a fit to get my monitor mix louder so I'm not turning the amp way up. The drummer beats the heck out of the drums and that's all I hear most of the time since I'm right next to his kit.:hmm:

Good point on the 'B' second string, I use that idea too. But I've received "comments" about that as well. I'm beginning to think she just doesn't like 'B'. I think everything sounds fine at home. Some notes I've found do tend to resonate more though. Especially in an acoustical environment like that gym.

So if I try an EQ, what would be a good one to use for the bass and I'll see if that helps. The only two I know of offhand are the Boss GEB-7 or the MXR 6-band M-109 - any other suggestions?
 
#10
kcox15 said:
So if I try an EQ, what would be a good one to use for the bass and I'll see if that helps. The only two I know of offhand are the Boss GEB-7 or the MXR 6-band M-109 - any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Your Ampeg has an EQ built in... try turning down the "bass" (or "low") control and see if that helps clean up your sound.

Also make sure the speaker is not damaged. A torn speaker or surround can cause some weird sounds.
 
#12
Right, time to try some basic troubleshooting:

Do you hear the warble acoustically when your bass is unplugged?
Do you hear the warble through headphones?
Do you hear the warble playing a different bass through your amp?
Can YOU hear the warble or is your music director the only one who can hear it? It sounds funny, but it can happen... I have a hearing disorder called 'tinnitus' and certain notes just sound strange to me, maybe she has something similar going on?
 
#13
stand where the lady listens, and see if it is louder where she stands. there might be a peak from the room in the bass region. OR- they just want another member onstage and dont really want to hear the bass. try to stand where the audience is (long cord) during practice, is the bass too loud?
 
#14
Personally I really wish people would learn the simple process of decently putting strings on their basses.

The last 3 used basses I've purchased here have all arrived with at least 2 or more strings that spin at least a half turn or more once loosened. irritating... frustrating... and entirely why I always tear down a used bass, check for high frets, clean it up, and restring it, then give it a full setup afterwards.
 
#15
stflbn said:
Personally I really wish people would learn the simple process of decently putting strings on their basses.

The last 3 used basses I've purchased here have all arrived with at least 2 or more strings that spin at least a half turn or more once loosened. irritating... frustrating... and entirely why I always tear down a used bass, check for high frets, clean it up, and restring it, then give it a full setup afterwards.
Click to expand...

+20
 
#16
stflbn said:
Personally I really wish people would learn the simple process of decently putting strings on their basses.

The last 3 used basses I've purchased here have all arrived with at least 2 or more strings that spin at least a half turn or more once loosened. irritating... frustrating... and entirely why I always tear down a used bass, check for high frets, clean it up, and restring it, then give it a full setup afterwards.
Click to expand...

Teach us. :)
 

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