Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 The E string is at a much lower volume than the other 3. It sounds horrible. The others are all at the same volume then its like the E string is at 5-6 out of 10. I've never owned a bass but i think i'm sure this ain't right?
Members Reverend179 Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Try raising the height of the pickup on the E-string side, it might raise the volume a bit. It's also possible that your speaker is less efficient at lower frequencies.
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 I already tried that. The amp is a cheapie Drive 30 sooooo....maybe....lol. Someone wrote this to me in another forum.... If you read the reviews here on HC, the weak E string output is a common problem on the SX basses. It seems most people end up replacing the pickups, and end up with a professional quality bass. __________ Wouldn't that fix it if i turned the pickup the other way? I tried that and the same deal.
Members Fran da Man Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Whoever sent you that don't know their ass from first bass...people do swap essex pups but not due to volume drop. WTF?Is the E raised higher than the others? plus your amp isn't going to help matters.
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 The E is actually the lowest by a hair. Couldn't be {censored}ty strings could it? I know they are el cheapo and all but still.
Members Fran da Man Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Yes it most certainly could be your strings.
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 How could it be though? (I'm not saying it can't be cuz I'm thinkin it might be, just would like to educate myself.)
Members bassman1956 Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by batotman The E is actually the lowest by a hair. Then I'd still try to raise it some more.
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 Well {censored}...http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/SX/SPB_57_Short_Scale_Bass-1.html 2 out of 4 reviews had the same problem. Of course they don't mention whether they also changed strings at time of pickup swap.
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by bassman1956 Then I'd still try to raise it some more. To be honest the string is pretty damn close to the pickup....any more and it'd be riding it!
Members bassman1956 Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by batotman To be honest the string is pretty damn close to the pickup....any more and it'd be riding it! Okay. You don't want to be popping the pup with the string when you're on the upper strings. How about lowering the others? And what about string action heighth above the fretboard? Are they all the same? Might point to where action is higher, which may also point to where pup spacing is different. These are just suggestions for other things to check.
Members i_wanna_les_paul Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 If the string is really low and close to the pickup, it could be adversely affected by the magnets in the pickup - but maybe not. And it is possible that your low E string may have gone dead. I had a G string do that once - the volume was decreased quite a bit after I had ended up tuning the bass up and down a lot. And IMO, the SX pickups are really good. I pulled out my SX pickups in my old bass and put Rios and and while there was a difference, I'm not sure it was a $170 difference. Dustin
Members bassman1956 Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by i_wanna_les_paul If the string is really low and close to the pickup, it could be adversely affected by the magnets in the pickup - but maybe not.And it is possible that your low E string may have gone dead. I had a G string do that once - the volume was decreased quite a bit after I had ended up tuning the bass up and down a lot.And IMO, the SX pickups are really good. I pulled out my SX pickups in my old bass and put Rios and and while there was a difference, I'm not sure it was a $170 difference.Dustin Hmmm... Interetsing... Been thinking of trying Rio Muy Grande PJ's in my Iby SR400.
Members i_wanna_les_paul Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by bassman1956 Hmmm... Interetsing... Been thinking of trying Rio Muy Grande PJ's in my Iby SR400. They're good pickups - that P has TONS of thump to it and it can definately move some air. It's just that the SX pickups are pretty good to begin with. Dustin
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 I just got the Bass about 5 hours ago. But from what I hear the SX all have {censored} strings so maybe I'll try that first.
Members i_wanna_les_paul Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by bassman1956 Hmmm... Interetsing... Been thinking of trying Rio Muy Grande PJ's in my Iby SR400. Not to hijack this thread, but also, I never replaced the pots in the bass. Corey (78pbass) kept telling me how much of a difference it made - but I didn't do it. When I was about to, the neck messed up on me and I traded it to mlwarriner. So the pickups were probably choked out a tad by the crappy pots. To get back on topic - new strings are probably the cheapest way to try and fix it..
Members bassman1956 Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Originally posted by i_wanna_les_paul Not to hijack this thread, but also, I never replaced the pots in the bass. Corey (78pbass) kept telling me how much of a difference it made - but I didn't do it. When I was about to, the neck messed up on me and I traded it to mlwarriner. So the pickups were probably choked out a tad by the crappy pots.To get back on topic - new strings are probably the cheapest way to try and fix it.. What'd you think of the J? Am considering an Aquilar OB3 to replace the stock active preamp at the same time too. Not in a hurry... The stock stuff sounds pretty good... BUT - As a hotrodder from birth...
Members Stinkfoot Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Maybe I was reading a different thread, but didn't you mention this bass having a bad pickup? Otherwise, it sounds like a combination of dead strings and/or no low end in the amp. Try turning all the treble and mids down on the amp, turn the tone all the way up on the bass and then see if there is still a volume difference. If the low string is still much quieter than the others with the treble all the way down on the amp, then it's probably the bass. Check the height, etc like everyone already mentioned. Good luck.
Members bassman1956 Posted August 26, 2005 Members Posted August 26, 2005 Oh, and On Topic, I'd say... New strings, then set-up.Pay particular attention to equal string heights above fretboard, then pickup heights. Side-to-side, or across all four strings, should be equal within 1/32".
Members batotman Posted August 26, 2005 Author Members Posted August 26, 2005 Yeah the pickup had come unglued from the cover but easy fix. I tried that with the amp, same deal. Arghh!
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