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wierd oscilation on low B while playing G on E string 2011 AM Jazz deluxe V

TBWRENCH

TBWRENCH

Nov 23, 2009
23
0
Wisconsin
www.myspace.com
#1
HI everyone, been lurking for a while, need some help.
I have a 2011 American Deluxe Jazz Bass V. Just got it Fri.
on Sun. took it to a recording session. After spending some time and getting my part right, upon playback we heard this very distinct "vibrato" on the G note E string. After trying a bunch of different stuff I found it was the B string oscillating. I muted it with my hand and re recorded my parts and it was all good.

Anyone else have this come up? I don't want to have to dampen the low B all the time, my other basses don't need that. Any fixes or suggestions?

thank you in advance.
tbwrench
 
#4
This is an issue that is resolved with technique. Do you play with your fingers or a pick? If you play with your fingers you could try using the low-B as a thumbrest and adopt a floating thumb style. If you play with a pick you'll have to work on muting with your left hand.
 
#7
Marton said:
It's called Sympathetic resonance. Play a E on your G string, you'll see the E string starting to vibrate. You can't win against physics :D.
Click to expand...

This is probably what's happening.

Plus...

"... we heard this very distinct "vibrato" on the G note E string. After trying a bunch of different stuff I found it was the B string oscillating."

If you are familiar with the Overtone Series, you will know that the Fourth Overtone (Fifth Harmonic) of "G" is "B", but up 2 octaves. This "B" may cause the Seventh Overtone (8th Harmonic) of the "Low B-String" to sympathetically vibrate.

These TWO high "B's" are in the same octave. But, the "B" coming from the "Low G" is naturally 14 cents FLAT - assuming that your bass is in tune.

This 14 cent difference may be creating the distinct "vibrato".

Do you have "bright" round wounds (lots of overtones) on this bass?
 
#8
BigBassBob said:
This is an issue that is resolved with technique. Do you play with your fingers or a pick? If you play with your fingers you could try using the low-B as a thumbrest and adopt a floating thumb style. If you play with a pick you'll have to work on muting with your left hand.
Click to expand...

Bob, I was a pick player for years. About 2002, I started using my thumb and first two fingers. Mostly thumb and index finger. I think I can overcome this problem with technique but I don't think I should have to. Especially considering how much this bass costs! I will work on the technique and the thumb rest/B string thing is a great idea!
thanks!
 
#11
TBWRENCH said:
If this theory holds true, why doesn't my BTB5 or my mexican JazzV do it?

It sounds feasable to me, I will try the E on the G string thing, sounds interesting.

Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they do, maybe not as strongly. Maybe the new bass is just more resonant than the others.

By the way I'm not a physicist, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. :D
 
#14
ehque said:
Your BTB5 and mex JazzV are simply not as resonant at that particular frequency.

Muting is an integral of bass guitar technique, whether on pick or fingerstyle.
Click to expand...

whats funny is the amp was in an ISO room and I was playing in the control room with phones on.

I know muting is a part of it but until now I have not had to and honestly I am lazy and hate change. But I will try!
 
#19

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