gypsyjazzer Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I have noticed an inbalance of volume when using strings from different makers--would a graphic EQ sort out the inbalance problem? If so what graphic EQ works well for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endorka Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I would have thought not - there is too much overlap of frequencies between strings to be sufficiently selective. There are only 5 notes on the A string that are not on the D string, for example. One course of action in those circumstances would be compression to even out the volume across strings. Another would be to find a combination of strings that give you a more even volume across the board. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Wilson claim that with their [url="http://wilson-pickups.com/en/pick-ups/double-bass/assortment/detail/28-double-bass/flypage/87-k4-4-pickups-for-4-str-bass.html?sef=hcfp"]K4 pick up[/url] b[color=#000000]y simply rotating a Pickup slightly you can adjust the volume level of each string individually - making the perfect balance between the output from your strings.[/color][/font][/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 ...are you saying that you have a complete set of one manufacturers strings that are not as loud as using a different full set of strings from another manufacturer, or are you saying that you have a mix and match of strings on your bass? In any event , a Graphic EQ won't do anything as specific as isolating the frequencies of just one string - the EQ will affect all strings. Quite a number of people mix and match and you may have to do quite a bit of experimenting if thats the direction you want to go in. ...are the strings all brand new (old strings can be shockingly lifeless and dull !) ? ...what was idea behind mixing and matching ( if thats what you have done ) ? ...did you look at the design length comparing the bass mensur with the design string length in choosing the strings ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsyjazzer Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 Many thanks for your replies. Thanks for the info. about the Wilson K4 pickup. The strings that I have tried vary from 'Newer to older'. When you mention 'design length' do you mean that only use--for example---a 3/4 length string on a 3/4 bass? Am I correct in thinking that strings with different windings & different cores will give different tonal & volume output?--so if you 'mix & match'---like a lot of bass players do--- you are bound not to get a matchable sound from the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Its a bit of a murky world when you get into mixing strings and what works on one persons DB can be useless on someone else's! All manufacturers have information about the ideal string ength of the bass ( the 'mensur' ) between the nut and the bridge and so you will find that for a string to sound its absolute best it will say suit a design length of between for example 104 - 106cm which is typical for a 3/4 ( have a look [url="http://www.daddariobowed.com/BowedProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4495&productid=13&productname=Helicore_Hybrid_Bass_String_Set__3_4_Scale__Medium_Tension"]here[/url] ). If you have a bass that is say 103cm bridge to nut ( typical of student models so that the fingers don't have to stretch as much ) then you will find that the string designed for a 106cm won't quite get up to its desired tension and won't ring in the way that its optimised for. To make things more complicated you will find that the design data for some strings is for all sorts of other mensurs ( have a look at the Thomastik info [url="http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/upload/TI_bass%20folder%2003_07print.pdf"]here[/url] and you will see the huge range from just one manufacturer ). Bottom line is that if the dull strings are the old ones then bin them. Strings just lose their characteristics after a few months. It could also be a combination that you have a mix and match of strings that are designed to 'sing' at different tensions / string lengths. One sure way of testing that is to crank up the dull sounding string by a perhaps a whole tone and if they suddenly come to life at the higher tension then you will have your answer . I sense that you may be heading for purchasing a new set of strings ( just make sure that they fit your bass !) ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsyjazzer Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 Many thanks 'ubassman' for a great reply. I have been into the websites you mention--indeed a murky world when mixing strings! Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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