weird piezo saddle problem

[johnp352]

I have a rick turner renaissance bass. It has developed a strange problem lately. The low E string will cut out. If I 1) push the string to the side a tiny bit and let it come back in place, it fixes it for a bit or if I 2) tune the string up a few tones, I can hear it get louder until at around a G, it will be back.

All the other strings are fine. It's a single coaxial pickup, not separate saddles.

It's been ultra humid around here lately, and the problem SEEMS to have started with the humidity spiking, one guy suggested I see what happens when the Fall comes and things dry out. I use this bass, so no. It is a Deuce model so I still have the Mag pu, but I REALLY love the sound of the piezo/dtar pre.

So..what to do?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Have you asked the manufacturer yet?

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[johnp352]

shop is pretty busy these days KbD

 

[Will_White]

It might be that the humidity made the bridge expand and the slot is tighter on the bass side so it's not getting enough pressure to get a good signal.

 

[johnp352]

thank you WW..it's usually dry as a bone here, and I use humidifiers in fall/winter..never thought of that. so..use 2 saddles?

 

[Will_White]

thank you WW..it's usually dry as a bone here, and I use humidifiers in fall/winter..never thought of that. so..use 2 saddles?

Yeah a summer and a winter saddle would probably fix it but I would think that the "summer" saddle would probably work year round if the action isn't that effected by the weather. I know DB players often have two (or more) bridges for seasonal changes.

Regardless I would take it to a place that specialized in acoustic instruments or contact the company to take a look at it. My piezo experience is limited discs and standard sticks so I can't say if the coaxial pickup is any different.

 

[johnp352]

thanks again

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Yes, the problem is most likely that the saddle is binding up slightly in the slot in the bridge, preventing good pressure on the piezo element. The fix is probably as simple as pulling out the saddle and slightly filing or sanding the side of it so it's not as tight in the slot.

But, check with Rick or someone who is more familiar with that particular bass.

 

[johnp352]

will do thanks Bruce