my g string

[ubnomnar]

@ubnomnar what do you think

is that g string twisted? I tried my other g strings again on other basses--they were ok

the one on the fretless is wonky

Try a different gauge or a different brand G for a replacement . I've had that happen a number of times. I just poke around in my string collection until I find one that sonically fits the bill...

@kkaarrll...

1) IMHO... I think it is unlikely that a twist is the problem. Given the design of your bridge, the string ball is able to rotate a bit when the string is first installed and tightened down. A "wonky" string looks normal and can only be checked by replacing it with another "known good" string. You can check for string twist by noting the position of the ball on the G-string; then loosen the string and watch to see if the ball rotates in either direction. Alternatively, after noting the orientation of the ball on the G-string you can loosen the string and lift the string coil off the tuner post. Then watch to see which way the string coil rotates relative to the original position of the G-string ball.

2) Have you already swapped out the .045 Cobalt for another brand/gauge of "known good" string (any spare just to test)? If the same tone suck remains then it is not the Cobalt.

3) Another test is to significantly raise the G-string saddle (yes this will kill the current low G-string action but it is only a test) to see if adding break angle on the G-string saddle improves the response of the string.

4) You can also try installing the Cobalt G-string in the position of the D-string (this is another A-B test to see if the G-string saddle/break angle is a concern) to see if it improves the "dead, lifeless, thin" sound.

5) In this construction picture the G-string appears to have very little break angle over the bridge saddle (could be the angle from which the pic was taken). This would create less downward pressure on the G-string saddle which may impact tone; and at the same time with reduced downward pressure on the G-string saddle you would likely be able to push the saddle side to side as you have described.

 

[kkaarrll]

@kkaarrll...

1) IMHO... I think it is unlikely that a twist is the problem. Given the design of your bridge, the string ball is able to rotate a bit when the string is first installed and tightened down. A "wonky" string looks normal and can only be checked by replacing it with another "known good" string. You can check for string twist by noting the position of the ball on the G-string; then loosen the string and watch to see if the ball rotates in either direction. Alternatively, after noting the orientation of the ball on the G-string you can loosen the string and lift the string coil off the tuner post. Then watch to see which way the string coil rotates relative to the original position of the G-string ball.

2) Have you already swapped out the .045 Cobalt for another brand/gauge of "known good" string (any spare just to test)? If the same tone suck remains then it is not the Cobalt.

3) Another test is to significantly raise the G-string saddle (yes this will kill the current low G-string action but it is only a test) to see if adding break angle on the G-string saddle improves the response of the string.

4) You can also try installing the Cobalt G-string in the position of the D-string (this is another A-B test to see if the G-string saddle/break angle is a concern) to see if it improves the "dead, lifeless, thin" sound.

5) In this construction picture the G-string appears to have very little break angle over the bridge saddle (could be the angle from which the pic was taken). This would create less downward pressure on the G-string saddle which may impact tone; and at the same time with reduced downward pressure on the G-string saddle you would likely be able to push the saddle side to side as you have described.

thank you
I will go try those ideas
very much appreciated

 

[ubnomnar]

thank you
I will go try those ideas
very much appreciated

@kkaarrll... I'm a fellow enthusiast who has owned way too many basses. About 7 years ago I took a serious interest in learning to do my own setups and maintenance because I enjoy working on basses at least as much as playing them. I've personally experienced a full range and gauntlet of tech problems from twisted necks and ski-jumps, to "wonky" strings and everything in between.

However, there are many "pro" techs on TB who have had thousands of instruments pass through their hands over the decades. I watch for words of wisdom from @walterw and @Turnaround along with many others who post to the "Hardware, Setup, and Repair Forum." Maybe one of them will pop in to shed some additional light on your current "G-string tone-suck" scenario.

 

[ixlramp]

> I don't think it is a setup issue, as it is on all of my basses
> it just "feels" like it is not balanced with the others gauge wise

Dissatisfaction with the G is common.
You could tilt one or both the pickups closer to the G and further from the B.
Standard sets 60 40 or 65 45 have the G looser than the D, a more tension balanced set like 105 80 60 45 might help the tonal change from D to G.

 

[kkaarrll]

new strings on way

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

@SLaPiNFuNK do you have a suggestion here?

I did not see this tag sorry... Best to send me messages directly for the promptest reply...

It comes down to the string construction... G-strings usually have a single wrap winding and generally sound thinner than the other strings...

This is what I do... (SICK looking bass by the way!)...

The G-String I generally do not play it lower than the 5th or 7th fret on my instruments. D-String I usually don't play lower than the 5th or 3rd depending on string type and my instrument.

Why? Because each string has its own voice. This helps keep the tone more consistent. Moving up the neck rather than across it will keep the tone fuller.

The other solution is a hardware solution... A compressor. When set properly, the compressor will bring the volume down on the louder strings and the volume up on the lover volume strings... This will balance out your instrument dynamically string to string.