why does one note sound louder than others?

[derekdecarlo]

when I play an E (can be low or middle or high E) it resonates louder and sounds a little different that all the other notes on my bass, this has just started happening recently? is it my guitar or could it be something else?
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[SBassman]

Are you sure it just started happening?

What kind of bass?

Any chance the pickup height on each side is not right?

 

[anderbass]

Take a peak at this thread about Wolftones:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54887

.

 

[derekdecarlo]

my bass is an electric bass (yamaha)? do wolftones exist on electric instruments too? The thread is definitely interesting and may be what's happening with me, but if so, my wolftone is obnoxious and loud, and something has to be done about it.

 

[derekdecarlo]

Are you sure it just started happening?

What kind of bass?

Any chance the pickup height on each side is not right?

I don't know, could that account for it? it's the E on all 4 strings (worse on B, E, A, D strings)

 

[anderbass]

Not sure about your electric bass/Wolftone question, but I was thinking maybe you should start by visiting a music store and trying your bass with some other amps/cabs to positively confirm whether its actually your bass or some other strange issue with your current amp or cab.

I supose it could even possibly be the acoustics of the room your playing in... so you might try playing your current rig somewhere else too.

 

[derekdecarlo]

my amp is a ampeg 410 with a svt 450 watt solid state, I also use a boss gt-6B multi effects pedal/processor.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I thought a wolftone was a figure in Irish history.

There are many things that could cause this phenomenon: your playing, your instrument, the EQ on the amp, the frequency response of the loudspeaker, the room modes (acoustics), etc. You'll have to start varying things and see what makes a difference.

 

[derekdecarlo]

I thought a wolftone was a figure in Irish history.

There are many things that could cause this phenomenon: your playing, your instrument, the EQ on the amp, the frequency response of the loudspeaker, the room modes (acoustics), etc. You'll have to start varying things and see what makes a difference.

I don't think it's my playing because I have to make sure I finger the note very gently, much more so than any other notes or it will be very loud. Can you give me any suggestions of things to try (ie: EQ, frequency response, etc.)
Thanks alot.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

See if you get the same phenomenon with the rig in different spots in the room, in different rooms, etc. Vary the EQ on the amp.

 

[LeonD]

This is a great point.

One place that I play in, the combination of my bass, amp and the room, makes C notes explode off my bass. I can play the bass and amp anywhere else and the C's are fine but not in this room.

I add a little bit of a notch filter at that frequency and all is better.

LeonD

See if you get the same phenomenon with the rig in different spots in the room, in different rooms, etc. Vary the EQ on the amp.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

You might also find that while the Cs are strong where you are, they're weak at various null locations in that room. That's the nature of room modes (i.e., standing waves).

 

[Lesfunk]

I thought a wolftone was a figure in Irish history.

You're thinking of Paddy O' Furniture

 

[theshadow2001]

I'd say more than likely it's the room. Play an E somewhere else in the house.

 

[nsmar4211]

One of our practice rooms used to resonate to a G below the staff. Would drive you insane when you hit that note....

If it does only happen in one room ,and you said it started recently, did you move furniture? Add a nifty fish tank? Any room changes?

Or maybe somethings' screwy with your amp.... have you tried another amp?

 

[JazzV]

I had something similar in our old church building. Every time I'd hit a D, the piano nearby (an old upright) would resonate. I'd get a really big obnoxious boost in volume. I was so glad we got rid of that thing.

 

[blubolt]

The church I play at is seriously sympathetic to 440 A in a certain spot. when I move the amp 2 feet to the right - problem solved. Really wierd and VERY obnoxious - especially to my old buddy Jim who sits in the back.

 

[derekdecarlo]

I haven't noticed it when I play elsewhere yet, but I plan on doing some experimenting.

 

[derekdecarlo]

thanks for everyone's help...I think it's the room.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Sounds like the acoustics of the room to me. My band practices is my basement, and there are particular notes I hit that seem to rattle every board in the house, as well as the skins on the drums. Others however just sound nice and warm. Pretty common stuff.