sirmuppet

I do exactly that for that reason. Think I first saw it on Scotts Bass Lessons. I think I may hopefully have it solved (At least I do acoustically). Will know tonight as have rehearsal. Will post back the results.

Sorry man but your answer you posted while I did was perfect. The reason I was asking is I had a set of pickups custom made. We had the middle poles radiused the same as a 7.25 vintage Fender but then the middle strings were far too loud. So I had them moved down. When I looked at the pickup I discovered the poles were longer and I wondered if the mass would impact or not. Thanks again for the detailed answer 🙂

Yes exactly this! 😁 Interesting to know tolerances could vary so much. Noted and thanks 👍 This and the above answers my question. Thanks all.

Again this is not directly the question I'm asking. I know how pickups work and moving cloers etc.. Normally pickups tend to have the poles the same length. With mine the middle poles are longer than the outer ones. All I'm asking is would a longer magnet at the same distance as a shorter magent produce the same field? As in does "mass" affect it in anyway?

I'd seen this post already. Shame as they could have been cool.

It's not a mass produced pickup. The inner pole are physically longer. I just wanted to know if I set the height the same and the distance was the same would the mass of the magnetic pole have an impace or not.

This isn't what I'm trying to clarify. I was looking to know if the size of the pole if larger but the same distance and a smaller pole (Both magentic) has an impact or if they'd just be the same magnetic pull.

Yup the middle poles are physically longer than the outer ones. Each pole is a magnet, no bar pn the bottom.

You wouldn't. It was an example for simplicity.

Cool. I was hoping that was the case. I just wasn't sure if a larger mass would add to the magnetic field or not. Good to know it doesn't. Thanks for answering.

Here's a diagram I just made to illustrate my question.

So I'm wondering this. If I had a pikcup where the middle poles were longer than the outer poles would the effect the sound? By this I mean I have a Jazz bass pickup which has poles that are radiused. So the middle poles are actually physicall longer than the outer poles. If I were to set the string height flat and push the middle poles down flat, would they still have a stronger pull given that the poles are magentic and physically longer than the outer poles? I wonder this based upon the mass of the inner pole being larger and would that affect the magnetic pull? Hope that made sense but it was just something that crossed my mind while I played a Jazz bass last night.

That's srt of the next step. When I get it back I'm going to tigheten everything but not a bad shout about removing and checking everything. I'll add that to the list. Cheers.

For anyone wanting pics of the areas mentioned I've attached some photos. I'm aware a Jammie Dodger is not a standard unit of measurement but I didn't have a ruler to hand 😁. Also that's it with it fretted on the last fret. I've had it much closer too and still the same result. Pic with the gap between the fret and string is with me holding it on the 3rd fret.

No worries and cheers for the help. I should get the bass back this weekend. I'll keep you and everyone posted about what the results are.

Just a single P-bass pickup in the regular position. I play with a pick, pretty much over the pickup or sometime slightly behind it. I do have a third cable kicking around somewhere I'll dig out and try when I get it back. Yeah, feels like I am going a little mad. It's an SPB3 pickup which shouldn't have any issue in the omph department! lol.

It's a passive bass. Though one thing I've haven't tried now that you mention resonant frequencies is tightening up the screws on the bass. Once I get it back I'll slacken the strings then tighten up the neck and bridge screws in case anything is loose and causing it. I have tried 2 cables, one being an Ernie Ball and the other being Orange. Not running any effects and stright into the amp.

All notes on the E string. The lower the note the less presence it seems to have.

Tell me about it, lol. I know some basses have a note or two that just don't project as much as the rest. This seems like everything from the G on the E string down to the E. Hopefully they find something.

Thanks. Have tried that already. I'm at a loss. I took it in to be seen by a tech. They had a quick play and said there was a marginal difference but they were playing at practice level with fingers. I tend to play at gig level with a pick which might add to the issue. Anyway I should have it back next weekend and hopefully with an answer.

So I've fretted at the third and there is a gap under the first fret. A sheet of paper passes through without issue and you can visually see the gap. I've tested the poles on the pickup and each pole produces the same amount of volume when tapped with an Allen key. I've looked at the bridge and don't see any issues but again not sure what I've be looking for specifically but again I don't see any wonky saddles, loose grub screws or issues with how the string sits. Pictures can be taken if it can help.

Cheers for that I'll give that a check too. Won't get time until the weekend but just wanted to get a list of things to try for then.

Thanks man. I'll check the the poles on the pickups. Never thought it might be that. Will also give the nut a check. I didn't notice anything odd when I changed the strings. You mentioned checking the E bridge saddle. What should I be looking for there? For the room it was 2 different gigs and a couple of rehearsals. Sounded the same in eeach. I have been using the same cable so will give another a try. It's a Fender Jaguar with a Pau Ferro fretboard, single seymour duncan SPB-3, only has a volume (no tone control), string through body and strung with Ernie Ball regular slinkys. Thanks again 🙂

So like the title suggests I'm having issues with a bass of mine. Had it since new. The low E just doesn't sound like the rest. By that I mean I play it and the others have thump and definition. The E sounds like it has no bass and mids. Sounds quieter. Sounded like that when I got it new. Changed the strings and gave it a set up. Remains the same. Have even changed the pickup. Also tried it through 2 different amps. still the same. Even setting it up and playing with the pickup height hasn't changed anything. Any suggestions for thing sto try beyond this? I've had a look online and it pretty much yeilds the same results as above for what to try. Thanks.

Ok, I know this is a little old but just in case anyone looks in the future. I had a jazz bass which I felt had a volume drop on the A & D strings. I also wasn't sold on it's tone as compared to my other basses it was a little weak. I spoke to Alan, told him that I normally use P-basses and wanted the Jazz to keep up with them but have it's own tone and about the issue with the middle strings. He asked a few questions then made a custom set for me with raised A & D poles. Apart from them now being too loud in the middle it was perfect. I told him this and he took the pickups back and reset the pole height perfectly (Free of charge). The tone is amazing, I've never had a jazz with a bridge pickup that I felt I could use on it's own. Alan is a very easy guy to talk to and very open to doing what you need. My advice, tell him what you have, what you don't like about it and where you want to be and he'll do the rest. For the price, I haven't found anything close. Am actually thinking on another set for an incoming bass.