ironside1966 Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I have a Squier deluxe 5 jazz bass, although it is a great bass it sounds dull and insipid. When I checked them out on you tube most of the basses sound completely different to mine. The first thing I thought of was new strings so I have a set of D’addario nickel wound bright but the bass still sounds dull, even when played acoustically the bass is dull compared to my other instruments? Is it worth investing in new pickups or dose the sound need to be there in the first place, EQ will not give me the sound that I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 New pick ups, Lindy Fralins are superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) Often a dull sound when unplugged is due to a poor quality nut. I would change the nut from the cheap plastic to bone or reconstituted bone, a decently cut one will give you better resonance. And as Rasta rightly said +100000000 on the Fralin pickup. Edited May 12, 2011 by Grand Wazoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 You could try changing the pickups/bridge/tuners as well as the body and neck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 [quote name='ironside1966' post='1228891' date='May 12 2011, 02:55 PM']The first thing I thought of was new strings so I have a set of D’addario nickel wound bright but the bass still sounds dull, even when played acoustically the bass is dull compared to my other instruments?[/quote] If your bass sounds dull acoustically then the problem is bigger than just adding new pickups. There are a number of things it could be, poor setup, poorly strung, indifferent quality neck, ineffective nut, ineffective bridge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) quote... Often a dull sound when unplugged is due to a poor quality nut.. really cant see a how a nut can make your tone dull..even if the nut is cut too tight, sorry GW.... there are so many factors that could be at play... some instruments just dont resonate as well as others, depending on the wood used, and the general construction... i agree on the pickups but LF's are expensive... some good ole Fender USA pups are great, or some Wizards.. i have played Squires though that are very resonant and bright.. its mighty hard to tell without playing your bass...in my opinion i wouldnt spend any money until you take it to a tech at a shop who knows basses Edited May 12, 2011 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Sometimes raising the pickups a closer to the strings can help liven things up a bit, it will raise the output level of the bass too so be a bit careful when you plug back in! As long as the strings don't hit the pickups when you're playing you should be OK to keep raising them. Or different make of strings? DR Hi Beams have lots of character and last for ages, Elixirs are bright and last forever (almost). Both expensive strings but the long life makes up for that I reckon. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Different strings, pickups or preamp are the best ways to improve a dull tone. I've got an old Encore P bass that's pretty dull acoustically but came to life after I upgraded the pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 The tone is in the fingers, so practice more. .... or get new fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironside1966 Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 Thanks for your help everyone. As far as I can tell the bass is well set up with to obvious faults. No rattles, plays well and it sustains well enough. The bridge seems solid and well fitted, it is well strung and I am the first to admit that I am no virtuoso but I am a very competent player with many years experience so I doubt if it is technique or player error. The nut is interesting but when you fret a note does that cancel out the nut any way? Has anyone ells had the same problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I must admit to being a bit cynical about how the finish of a body can 'let the sound out' and how a rosewood fingerboard sounds warmer than a maple one, but the wood used for the neck and body definitely makes a difference. I'm wondering whether you could try some A/B tests with another bass that doesn't sound so dull acoustally through your lead/amp/speakers with you fingers/playing/style. I doubt that they manage to use the best woods with a Squier for the price but I have yet to play a nasty one apart from an early ply bodied example. Try an A/B test to see what the difference is, you may find it less than you thought or it wiull give you a better idea as to what's up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 ... Or you could do this, apparently it helps [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Jazz-Bass-vintage-relic-road-worn-Squier-squire-/270745337252?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f09adfda4#ht_757wt_1113"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Jazz-Bass-vin...4#ht_757wt_1113[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 [quote name='ironside1966' post='1228891' date='May 12 2011, 03:55 PM']I have a Squier deluxe 5 jazz bass, although it is a great bass it sounds dull and insipid. When I checked them out on you tube most of the basses sound completely different to mine. The first thing I thought of was new strings so I have a set of D’addario nickel wound bright but the bass still sounds dull, even when played acoustically the bass is dull compared to my other instruments? Is it worth investing in new pickups or dose the sound need to be there in the first place, EQ will not give me the sound that I want.[/quote] Well for a start nickel strings won't be as bright and lively as stainless. I've never had a problem with D'addarios before but I've certainly been disappointed with how dull and lifeless Rotosounds can sound straight out the packet. Maybe you could buy one or two individual strings just to check out the difference rather than have to shell out for an entire set, that way you might just find the sound you're looking for. I always thought Bass Centre strings were good and bright and lasted well, but I'm sure there's plenty of people on here with a better idea of what's bright and what's not. I use flats more than I use rounds these days so I would probably like the sound of your Jazz as it is New (or at least better quality) pickups will undoubtedly improve your amplified sound but won't do much to change the sound unplugged, unless the current pickups are so close to the strings the magnets are choking them. They'd have to be pretty close though. An over shimmed neck can bugger the sound up too, although again, that's not very likely in your case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I'm a big fan of changing necks on basses. For example, I know from experience that a maple neck gives you a much brighter sound than a rosewood neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 (edited) [quote name='ironside1966' post='1229115' date='May 12 2011, 06:18 PM']Thanks for your help everyone. As far as I can tell the bass is well set up with to obvious faults. No rattles, plays well and it sustains well enough. The bridge seems solid and well fitted, it is well strung and I am the first to admit that I am no virtuoso but I am a very competent player with many years experience so I doubt if it is technique or player error. The nut is interesting but when you fret a note does that cancel out the nut any way? Has anyone ells had the same problem[/quote]Mate.. take it to someone who knows about guitars.. they prob wont charge you for there advise.. its the only way to know for sure.. Does it really sound that dull? even after a string change?.. if you really think so, my gut feeling tells me there is something wrong with maybe the resonance of the instrument.. or the pickups is the bass dull sounding on every string? the nut will not have a factor Ironside, unless its made of balsa wood.. hard points on either side of the string are good enough to give the string enough to swing off and give a clear tone.... IMHO it should be bright no matter what string you put on.. ok maybe not flats, but even then.. and yes fretting a note will cancel out the nut.. apart from taking it to a tech, i think the missing link is maybe your pickups.. Edited May 13, 2011 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deksawyer Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 What are you comparing the dullness to? That's the key question.... D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerley Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Could be a faulty tone pot? What difference do you get between tone fully open and fully closed. Does it sound like the tone has been completely rolled off all the time? Although that doesn't help with acoustic dullness. I don't put much weight behind acoustic sound as I use Nylon tapewounds so can't hear a thing acoustically! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironside1966 Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 [quote name='kerley' post='1229645' date='May 13 2011, 09:09 AM']Could be a faulty tone pot? What difference do you get between tone fully open and fully closed. Does it sound like the tone has been completely rolled off all the time? Although that doesn't help with acoustic dullness. I don't put much weight behind acoustic sound as I use Nylon tapewounds so can't hear a thing acoustically![/quote] Hi Tha bass is active it is a squier 5 Deluxe Jazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerley Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Whoops, wasn't paying attention! As you were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 What about a Roland V-Bass set up for it? Then you can sound like just about anything you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironside1966 Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 Thank's to everyone for the help. Just ordered a set of Warwick reds. See f that helps I also own MIJ jazz, Status Empathy, and Yamaha BBG 11 all of them much bright I also own Peavey Zephyr and that has quit a dull sounds even after replacing the pickups with Kent Armstrong’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 [quote name='Fat Rich' post='1229029' date='May 12 2011, 04:59 PM']Sometimes raising the pickups a closer to the strings can help liven things up a bit, it will raise the output level of the bass too so be a bit careful when you plug back in! As long as the strings don't hit the pickups when you're playing you should be OK to keep raising them. Or different make of strings? DR Hi Beams have lots of character and last for ages, Elixirs are bright and last forever (almost). Both expensive strings but the long life makes up for that I reckon. Good luck[/quote] except if you go too close it can do the opposite and kill the sustain.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironside1966 Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 [quote name='famstd' post='1232061' date='May 15 2011, 03:02 PM']Do you use a pick?[/quote] No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 When did you last change the battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironside1966 Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 The batteries fine. my instinct tells me the sound is not there in the first place but not triad the new strings yet, It doesn't sound too bad and I have read some great reviews on the Squire Jazz 5 Deluxe, seen videos on you tube where they sound much better than mine. I prefer 4 string and only got this bass for a project but has it stands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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