Weird "woofiness" on B string

[RGerhart]

I'm not sure if this should go in the basses section, or the setup/hardware, etc, so I'll leave that up to the mods.

Anyone experience a weird "woofiness" while playing on the B string? My Fodera Emperor 6 Standard I've noticed lately has a weird sound when I play from the fourth fret and higher on the B string. It's almost as if the string is not being allowed to completely vibrate or something--like the first fundamental is not coming through, in a weird way.

I've done the usual troubleshooting: fresh strings? Check. New setup with intonation and truss rod adjustment? Check. Lowered the pick up height? Check.

Anyone else experience this?

 

[FRoss6788]

I call it a bell like tone.
It's what I've experienced on any B string I've ever played. To me, the B always sounds different than the rest of the strings, I just can't warm up to it.

 

[RGerhart]

I call it a bell like tone.
It's what I've experienced on any B string I've ever played. To me, the B always sounds different than the rest of the strings, I just can't warm up to it.

This seems different, though. My Lakland 55-94 doesn't have the issue at any point on the B string, and my Skjold 6 string doesn't have the issue either. Digging around online, it looks like this phenomenon might be referred to as a "warble."

 

[michael_t]

Anyone experience a weird "woofiness" while playing on the B string?

When I got my first 5-string bass four and a half years ago, the first thing I noticed was the low B sounded darker and "muffled" than the rest. After many trials and errors, I've discovered this particular bass of mine (Yamaha TRBX505) benefits greatly from tapered/exposed-core B strings for better clarity, definition and even sustain.

I've also learned tapered/exposed-core B's don't always work well on every bass, so you will have to experiment.

 

[RGerhart]

When I got my first 5-string bass four and a half years ago, the first thing I noticed was the low B sounded darker and "muffled" than the rest. After many trials and errors, I've discovered this particular bass of mine (Yamaha TRBX505) benefits greatly from tapered/exposed-core B strings for better clarity, definition and even sustain.

I've also learned tapered/exposed-core B's don't always work well on every bass, so you will have to experiment.

That's a good point. I've had plenty of 5ers that were setup with tapered B strings strung up, and it's been a mixed bag with the results. Sometimes they work great and you are able to actually get lower action because the string doesn't sit up so high on the saddle, but other times they sound thin and vibrate in a strange way. I'll have to try it with this bass and see how it goes.

Thanks!

 

[jim nolte]

I’ve never experienced that on any 5 string bass and I’ve owned many since ‘92, currently have a Fbass BN5, you said you tried a fresh set of strings have you tried a different set, brand or gauge, what is the gauge of the B string, I always use a .130, zero issues all the way up and down the neck.

 

[RGerhart]

I’ve never experienced that on any 5 string bass and I’ve owned many since ‘92, currently have a Fbass BN5, you said you tried a fresh set of strings have you tried a different set, brand or gauge, what is the gauge of the B string, I always use a .130, zero issues all the way up and down the neck.

Yes, I originally had some DR Pure Blues on it, 30- 125s, but then switched over to Ernie Ball Slinkys, 32 - 130s, with the same issue.

 

[J Posega]

It's called inharmonicity, and it's especially common with shorter scale basses and/or those with fatter strings.

I would recommend a tapered low B and balanced tension string set, but the best way to counter it is a longer scale length. Higher tension with a smaller string = less inharmonicity.

 

[Samus C]

Also worth checking to make sure the screws in the neck joint are all tightened down sufficiently, too.

 

[rickdog]

Did you set witness points at the bridge and nut on the B string (well, on all the strings)?

 

[RGerhart]

Did you set witness points at the bridge and nut on the B string (well, on all the strings)?

Thanks for the link--I didn't know this had a term for it, but yes, I always do this when putting on new strings.

 

[ModuMan]

Did you set witness points at the bridge and nut on the B string (well, on all the strings)?

This is an excellent point and, regardless of if this is indeed the cause of your problem, a good thing to remember. I've fixed a couple of weird B strings with this.

 

[Isaac_James]

I think you've got some solid starts here already, one other possibility is that the string is twisted - I've had that effect occur when I get sloppy installing strings and one gets a twist in it.

If you've strung though the body, you're probably out of luck, but if you've top-loaded the strings you might try loosening the B just enough to let the ball end pull out the end of the bridge. See if it's inclined to rotate at all - if so, the string was probably twisted when you put it in.

 

[sleepingEB0]

I'm not sure if this should go in the basses section, or the setup/hardware, etc, so I'll leave that up to the mods.

Anyone experience a weird "woofiness" while playing on the B string? My Fodera Emperor 6 Standard I've noticed lately has a weird sound when I play from the fourth fret and higher on the B string. It's almost as if the string is not being allowed to completely vibrate or something--like the first fundamental is not coming through, in a weird way.

I've done the usual troubleshooting: fresh strings? Check. New setup with intonation and truss rod adjustment? Check. Lowered the pick up height? Check.

Anyone else experience this?

I’d suggest going up a string gauge orperhaps changing the saddle material to nylon

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I call it a bell like tone.
It's what I've experienced on any B string I've ever played. To me, the B always sounds different than the rest of the strings, I just can't warm up to it.

Yup. Pretty much.

 

[drumvsbass]

....also could be the pickup is too close to the string.

 

[A-Ro]

This phenomenon has happened on every 5 string I’ve had that was 34” scale length. It doesn’t happen with my Dingwall or my Lakland.

I’m hoping my new Yamaha will buck that trend.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Did you check the depth of the nut slot on the b string to make sure it isn't too low

 

[RGerhart]

....also could be the pickup is too close to the string.

I've already lowered the pickups on the bass side, at least 3/8" from the B string for both of them.

 

[RGerhart]

Did you check the depth of the nut slot on the b string to make sure it isn't too low

It's at a normal height, and Fodera is spot-on with their brass nuts, for sure. The only issue I've ever run into with their nut slots is if you go for a crazy gauge outside of the norm, like say a .140 size B string.