Volume difference b/w strings (G string volume low)

[tkotmk42]

Hello,


I have done some search on this topic, but couldn't really find any direct answers.  (if they are out there and I could not find, my apologies for duplicate post)


On my '79 Series 1 MSB, my G string volume is pretty low compared to D string or others.


I have tried the usual adjustments:  raised the G string side of the pickup height (rather drastically) but did not help much.
Also, frets might not be even on this particular bass:  bass sounds 'choked' at 4th and/or 5th fret on G string.
(this may be the infamous 'deadspot'?  but it is super pronounced)


Unplugged, G string rings just as good as other strings, just when plugged in (thru 5pin cable, DS-5, and my BOSS Waza Air Bass).


Any thoughts?  I checked the strings, my third set of string yielded the same result, put on different gauge sets and no difference.


Thank you in advance for all your insights.


Takeo

[David Houck]

Did you solo the neck pickup and then solo the bridge pickup, and find the same behavior?  If so, it seems unlikely that the problem is the pickups.

You might want to check that the string is sitting properly in the bridge saddle and the nut.  And check to see if the string is making contact with the back rail of the bridge (it shouldn't).  My guess is that the string is losing energy somewhere; and the bridge is where I would look first.

[mica]

Is it the same in both pickups?

What are the dimensions of the fingerboard at the nut and at the "25th fret" (the end of the fingerboard)? What we want to determine is if the G string resides outside the magnetic capture range of the pickup(s).

Maybe try rotating the pickup 180 degrees, to see if the coil was shifted to one side. You can also move an unmounted pickup above the strings to see if you can get a better sound with the pickup more centered over the G string. If that's the case, we can make you pickups either shifted to the G string side a little or with a longer magnet and coil (in the newer ABS plastic shells).

Also, note that even with ideal pickups, the lower mass of the G string will be audibly notable. Every pro player I know avoids the G string on all basses if they can help it. Come to think of it, what brand and gauge of strings are you using? Have you tried a heavier G string? Phil Lesh uses .040 - .055 - .070 - .080 - .095 - .110 to balance the masses out for more even sound. Not everyone can tolerate this massive change in tension, but he plays at the bridge with a pick so it works for him.

As you gain experience, it's also sad but true that you will hear both good things and deficient things in the sound. I've said this many times, but one of the worst things I ever did was learn how to hear the fifth harmonic - everything with a string sound kinda bad to me when I listen to isolated sustain. I have to try really hard to not notice how bad strings sound 

[tkotmk42]

David-san, Mica-san,

Thank you very much for the prompt input.  I will try and test those methods you mentioned and see if I can isolate the issue.
I will be back!!

Takeo

[tkotmk42]

Old thread, I never did get back to you, since I returned the bass to the shop I purchased from.

But I did check everything David and Mica pointed out:   It was same on both pickups, saddles are tight, and no 'deadening' of string vibration.  I bought one of those "magnetic field viewing film" to see whether pickups are covering the G string, and it was perfectly covering G strings (perfectly positioned in the middle to cover all strings).  I did try the heavier gauge, didn't notice any difference...

So I returned the bass, thinking it was something wrong with the bass.... shop did acknowledge my issue, and they tried to fix, but no avail.

Then few months passed, I kept in touch with the shop and they still had the bass, and one day, someone walked in and tried out the bass, then DS-5 wasn't working.

So they fixed it, replacing something inside (blue capacitor-looking things), and that fixed the G-string issue.   
I have no clue how this could fix the issue, maybe it's just in my head, I don't know, but G string sounds 'balanced' and pretty bright (not as bright as my Europa).

I really liked the bass to begin with, and now with the issue gone, and shop lowering the price even further, I re-purchased it

I don't know/understand how this could be the issue, but since my bass is old, and could only run neck pickup with batteries, I never actually tried with just batteries... that might have narrowed down the source of problem...

Anyways, thank you very much for the support!!!   

Takeo