NBD: A Question about Mustangs

Evan J

Evan J

Sep 27, 2023
441
774
991
30
Seattle WA
#1
Meet the mini me:
IMG_0531.jpeg
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I am leaning that I love split coil pickups and sunbursts.

But I have question…

Do Mustangs naturally have a “chorus-y” sound? I am noticing that on some frets the note that sounds acoustically is a bit different than what sounds through the pickups. Almost like there are two notes sounding at once.

I have messed with the pickups height and I still get the same effect.

With the stock strings this effect was VERY apparent. But with the Pure Blues that I just put on it’s a little better… but still noticeable.

Nothing weird going on in my signal chain either.

Any thoughts on this?

P.S. OVERALL I am still very hyped about this bass.
 
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#4
Evan J said:
Meet the mini me:
View attachment 5487034 View attachment 5487035

I am leaning that I love split coil pickups and sunbursts.

But I have question…

Do Mustangs naturally have a “chorus-y” sound? I am noticing that on some frets the note that sounds acoustically is a bit different than what sounds through the pickups. Almost like there are two notes sounding at once.

I have messed with the pickups height and I still get the same effect.

With the stock strings this effect was VERY apparent. But with the Pure Blues that I just put on it’s a little better… but still noticeable.

Nothing weird going on in my signal chain either.

Any thoughts on this?

P.S. OVERALL I am still very hyped about this bass.
Click to expand...


Happy NBD! Mustangs are awesome.

The answer to your question is no, that shouldn't be happening. Does it happen on multiple strings on those specific frets? If so, I'd have a look at those particular frets & see if they're properly shaped.

GT
 
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#6
Which one sounds chorus-y, the acoustic note or through the pickup?


Evan J said:
Do Mustangs naturally have a “chorus-y” sound? I am noticing that on some frets the note that sounds acoustically is a bit different than what sounds through the pickups. Almost like there are two notes sounding at once.
Click to expand...
 
#11
Evan J said:
Meet the mini me:
Click to expand...
This is the exact reason I got my JMJ Mustang in black to be a "backup" for my Vintage II 60s P bass in black. Even called the Pbass Tux and the mustang miniTux for a while. I have to say though, the Mustang has really grown to have it's own thing. Still will be a "backup" when I don't want to pack the more pristine bass to dive bars but it's name has changed to LJ (leather jacket) since it's a bit meaner, leaner and "younger" than the P bass I have. I always loved the quote that a mustang really sounds like a "broken P bass", dunno where I read that probably here but it's pretty on the nose and not in a bad way.
 
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#12
My BL has a Mustang (a PJ) - nice bass, I'll pick it up occasionally if I'm over at her place and only have my fretless but want something with frets. I did a setup on it, it plays well and sounds great. There's a lot of variety of sound available from it.

Regarding "chorusy" - as mentioned, string twist and pickup height are important to check. Also, I've found that setting the witness points at bridge and nut can help with this, especially on the E string because of its stiffness. Just press down lightly (not too hard!) on the speaking length of the string next to the nut and the bridge saddle so the speaking length is straight.
 
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#14
JeremyDore said:
This is the exact reason I got my JMJ Mustang in black to be a "backup" for my Vintage II 60s P bass in black. Even called the Pbass Tux and the mustang miniTux for a while. I have to say though, the Mustang has really grown to have it's own thing. Still will be a "backup" when I don't want to pack the more pristine bass to dive bars but it's name has changed to LJ (leather jacket) since it's a bit meaner, leaner and "younger" than the P bass I have. I always loved the quote that a mustang really sounds like a "broken P bass", dunno where I read that probably here but it's pretty on the nose and not in a bad way.
Click to expand...
lol love this. Yup definitely a broken p bass. Like the runt of the litter or something. Adorable.
 
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#16
superheavyfunk said:
Often, this sound is produced by a twisted string and usually it’s more noticeable the higher up on the neck that you play. It’s called “inharmonicity”
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This what I thought it might be… but this is the second pair of strings I’ve tried and I don’t think I twisted this one. But… how would I know if it is twisted

Also… the pickups are very noisy. Is that typical in a Mustang?
 
#19
For a chorus-y sound I would lower the pickups, not raise them. When they get too close the magnets start to affect the way the string vibrates, which to me sounds like what you're describing. Also make sure you've set your intonation. Whatever it ends up being, it's definitely not a mustang thing.

edit: It also looks like you have no shielding, which also will make things noise, especially under the right conditions. I would do the copper tape shielding thing (well, at least I always do).
 
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#20
Agree with those who said lower the pickups. Especially if chorus sound is on higher frets and only certain strings. I have a CV mustang and had to lower the pickups WAY lower than my other basses.

Also agree with those who said pearloid pickguard.
…or black…





…or tort
 
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