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Double Bass Weak G string response from pickup...

klocwerk

klocwerk

May 19, 2005
1,644
14
Somerville, MA
www.lordgoogle.com
#1
I have the classic BP-100 fishman pickup on my bridge, the sensors are clipped between the G-D and the A-E. I get great and even response on the EAD strings, but the G is really weak. Playing acoustically the G is definitely on par with the other strings, and it's weak on multiple amps, so I'm pretty confident that it's the pickup at this point.

What can I do about it? Is it worth swapping the sensors to the opposite positions to see if one of them's just bad? Is it that I really do need a dedicated pre-amp for it? Should I cough up the cash and buy a full-circle instead?

Any advice appreciated.
 
#4
You may wish to audition the bass with a different amplifier to determine if it is the pickup or amp.

It seems to me that all bass amplifiers do not seem to produce a balanced output in the frequency range that covers all four strings (approx 41-200hz). A lot depends on amp settings and the frequency at which the bass control is centered. If it is centered low and the frequency band is not wide enough, in use it can be possible to begin to lose its effects at the G and sometimes D string.

If this is the case it can be better to trim back upper frequency bands to achieve the sound required, rather than turn up the bass control.

if you have an EQ section with a graphic or parametric EQ, increase coverage around 120hz. If not, consider trying outboard equipment to fine-tune the amplified response. I've carried a small bass EQ pedal for a lot of years for when the room or amp don't provide the same response from my G and D as they do from the A and E.
 
#5
Bob Gollihur said:
You may wish to audition the bass with a different amplifier to determine if it is the pickup or amp.

if you have an EQ section with a graphic or parametric EQ, increase coverage around 120hz. If not, consider trying outboard equipment to fine-tune the amplified response. I've carried a small bass EQ pedal for a lot of years for when the room or amp don't provide the same response from my G and D as they do from the A and E.
Click to expand...

As mentioned above, I've tried it on a few different amps and it's the same with all of them. I also recorded recently, and noticed the same thing from the direct-in to the board: good response except when I hit the G string.
I have a little EQ pedal which makes up some of the difference, but it's still quite a noticeable difference, and the tone changes when I just boost the G range via EQ.

I'm going to have to play with it to check, but I don't think it's a frequency range, it's a g-string issue. The more I think about it the more I'm inclined towards thinking that that element of the pickup just isn't working, and the D is getting picked up by the AE element...
 
#6
That's a good thought that I should have realized, swapping the elements will tell the tale.

Most other pickups have quite a different character from the Fishman BP100, it's string adjacent position emphasizes string sound (little wood in the equation), while pickups lower on the bridge provide a better balance of string and body.
 
#7
klocwerk said:
As mentioned above, I've tried it on a few different amps and it's the same with all of them. I also recorded recently, and noticed the same thing from the direct-in to the board: good response except when I hit the G string.
I have a little EQ pedal which makes up some of the difference, but it's still quite a noticeable difference, and the tone changes when I just boost the G range via EQ.

I'm going to have to play with it to check, but I don't think it's a frequency range, it's a g-string issue. The more I think about it the more I'm inclined towards thinking that that element of the pickup just isn't working, and the D is getting picked up by the AE element...
Click to expand...

How old is the pu? I had the same issue w/ a BP-100 that was pretty old. Try tapping on the G side element while the pu is off the bridge, but plugged into your amp. Is it as loud as the other element? Piezo crystals do wear out after awhile. Or sometimes the wires to the elements fail.

I can get a good sound on my German bass w/ the BP-100 (newer one) and I used one for YEARS, but it sounds like drek on my Prescott AND my Juzek Ply. I think the particular bridge can have alot to do w/ this. There are warmer sounding pu's out there now for sure.
Good luck, BG
 
#8
bribass said:
How old is the pu? I had the same issue w/ a BP-100 that was pretty old. Try tapping on the G side element while the pu is off the bridge, but plugged into your amp. Is it as loud as the other element. Piezo crystals do where out after awhile. Or sometimes the wires to the elements fail.

I can get a good sound on my German bass w/ the BP-100 and I used one for YEARS, but it sounds like drek on my Prescott AND my Juzek Ply. I think the particular bridge can have alot to do w/ this. There are warmer sounding pu's out there now for sure.
Good luck, BG
Click to expand...

Hmm, it's about 10+ years old now, maybe it's just time to retire it.
I definitely have a few things to try out when I get home from work today. heh.
 

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