Strange chorus-like sound on fretless G string

lordradish

lordradish

Supporting Member
Jul 20, 2006
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Vermont
#1
OK... I've had my fretless stingray 5HH for a few months now and am loving it. Something I noticed when I got it was that on some places on the G string, it almost sounds like I have a chorus pedal on. The bass came from CA to VT, quite the climate difference. After a few days for acclimatizing, it was still there.

With the season changing, I did a setup, and I still notice it. Is it a string height issue and I just need to have it go a little higher? I didn't jack the saddle up too high because I like somewhat low action for the mwah.
 
#2
I always have extra sets of stings on hand. Any slight imperfection and I try re-installing the current strings---making sure I let the ball end spin freely, while winding them. If that does not work, play with the pickup heights, find the proper specs and if still an issue, install a new set of strings.
 
#8
Check the pickup height. The magnetic pull can distort the string path in a way that causes such a warble. On the F Bass BN5 with the exposed core strings they use it has been noted that such a chorus effect can occur for this reason and it is most noticeable on higher fret positions which bring the strings progressively closer to the pickups. I get that effect on my open low B when I use a pick though it is less noticeable with fingers. I haven’t noticed the chorus/phase sound on other strings or higher positions. I had an email exchange with Marcel and he explained this does sometimes happen, particularly because of the exposed core strings. Switching to full wrap strings will help reduce/eliminate the effect. In your case I’d assume you aren’t running exposed core strings, but perhaps a stiffer string brand/model could help.
 
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#10
lordradish said:
Thanks for the tips. It doesn't seem to just be in one small spot, and it is mostly pronounced above the 12th fret. I think I'll check the relief and then the string height again.
Click to expand...
On my fretless I find there is a very delicate balance between relief and string height. I don't keep it "perfectly flat", but the relief is fairly small.

You probably know this - but adjust relief in small increments, and give the neck time (like a day) to settle even after a small adjustment. I got hasty and didn't do that recently, and had to undo half of my too-large adjustment a few days later :facepalm:

What kind of strings are on your new Stingray?
 
#11
rickdog said:
On my fretless I find there is a very delicate balance between relief and string height. I don't keep it "perfectly flat", but the relief is fairly small.

You probably know this - but adjust relief in small increments, and give the neck time (like a day) to settle even after a small adjustment. I got hasty and didn't do that recently, and had to undo half of my too-large adjustment a few days later :facepalm:

What kind of strings are on your new Stingray?
Click to expand...
It has whatever the factory strings are, Slinkys?

The delicate balance is key. I played around with it some more last night and realized the 'perfectly flat' is likely the culprit. I gave it a bit more relief and raised the string height a tiny bit and it seems better.
 
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#12
monsterthompson said:
Check the pickup height. The magnetic pull can distort the string path in a way that causes such a warble. On the F Bass BN5 with the exposed core strings they use it has been noted that such a chorus effect can occur for this reason and it is most noticeable on higher fret positions which bring the strings progressively closer to the pickups. I get that effect on my open low B when I use a pick though it is less noticeable with fingers. I haven’t noticed the chorus/phase sound on other strings or higher positions. I had an email exchange with Marcel and he explained this does sometimes happen, particularly because of the exposed core strings. Switching to full wrap strings will help reduce/eliminate the effect. In your case I’d assume you aren’t running exposed core strings, but perhaps a stiffer string brand/model could help.
Click to expand...
I hadn't checked pickup height, but I was just assuming that it came straight from the factory that they did a pretty good setup. I'm thinking it was more environmental factors as, SoCal ain't Vermont. I actually did switch to tapes last month. They felt good and had some thump, but I was missing the growl and went back to rounds.
 
#13
lordradish said:
I hadn't checked pickup height, but I was just assuming that it came straight from the factory that they did a pretty good setup. I'm thinking it was more environmental factors as, SoCal ain't Vermont. I actually did switch to tapes last month. They felt good and had some thump, but I was missing the growl and went back to rounds.
Click to expand...

It’s a pretty easy check without adjusting your setup. If you get it again, turn the pickup screws a turn or two to lower them, then see if it changes anything, and return to previous setting if it doesn’t. If it’s only on the G then just adjust the G side of the pickup.
 
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#14
lordradish said:
I hadn't checked pickup height, but I was just assuming that it came straight from the factory that they did a pretty good setup. I'm thinking it was more environmental factors as, SoCal ain't Vermont. I actually did switch to tapes last month. They felt good and had some thump, but I was missing the growl and went back to rounds.
Click to expand...
Here in the PNW we have seasons, and I definitely have to adjust for them. It was the transition from windows open a lot, moderate humidity to windows closed, heat running, low humidity that provoked my recent (over)adjustment.

What kind of tapes did you try? I use LaBella Gold White Nylon, they're not quite as bright as metal roundwounds, but they're certainly not all thump, plenty of muah and growl if I want it.
 
#15
Are you used to playing on 5-strings? The first time I played a 5-string bass, I noticed something similar, but it was from the sympathetic vibrations of the notes on the higher strings vibrating a lower string tuned to the same note. I have to use the floating thumb technique on a 5-stringer to constantly dampen those lower strings.
 
#16
lordradish said:
Thanks for the tips. It doesn't seem to just be in one small spot, and it is mostly pronounced above the 12th fret. I think I'll check the relief and then the string height again.
Click to expand...
As it is more pronounced above the 12th fret, I'd guess it's caused by the magnetic pull of the pickup. When you press the string down to fingerboard when playing notes in the upper range the string gets closer to the pickup. I had the same problem with my Jazz Bass, lowering the neck pickup a bit took care of that.
 
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#17
Petethebassman said:
As it is more pronounced above the 12th fret, I'd guess it's caused by the magnetic pull of the pickup. When you press the string down to fingerboard when playing notes in the upper range the string gets closer to the pickup. I had the same problem with my Jazz Bass, lowering the neck pickup a bit took care of that.
Click to expand...
I still hear a twinge of it, I think that's going to be my next step. thanks.
 
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#18
basslust said:
Are you used to playing on 5-strings? The first time I played a 5-string bass, I noticed something similar, but it was from the sympathetic vibrations of the notes on the higher strings vibrating a lower string tuned to the same note. I have to use the floating thumb technique on a 5-stringer to constantly dampen those lower strings.
Click to expand...
I've been playing nothing but 5's for about 25 years.
 
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#19
rickdog said:
Here in the PNW we have seasons, and I definitely have to adjust for them. It was the transition from windows open a lot, moderate humidity to windows closed, heat running, low humidity that provoked my recent (over)adjustment.

What kind of tapes did you try? I use LaBella Gold White Nylon, they're not quite as bright as metal roundwounds, but they're certainly not all thump, plenty of muah and growl if I want it.
Click to expand...
I tried the Labella White Tapes (not the gold ones).
 
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