bonzodog Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Played a gig last night at a place we had done a few times. I was using a new MIM jazz bass. I always have flats on my basses but this came with rounds so i left them on to try out. Great gig and good overall sound, however when i played anything on the D string i couldnt hear the notes cutting through and it appeared half the volume to the other strings. When i played on my own inbetween songs it sounded fine and it sounded ok in the my generation solo. Whenever the band kicked back in I seemed to lose all volume on the D string with both fingers and pick. Unfortunately i didnt have my other bass to compare and my Eq was set flat as it always is. I dont think its a dud string as it sounded fine on its own I just wonder if it was down to room acoustics.If i played the equivalent notes on the A string it was fine. Very odd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I would hazard a guess on it being room acoustics, at least it wasn't the other way around where a certain note booms so badly you are worried the ceilings will fall down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Were you playing on the D string around the 3rd to 7th frets? Many jazz basses suffer from dead spots low down on the D string. I have even heard of some people increasing the headstock mass to correct it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted April 8, 2017 Author Share Posted April 8, 2017 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1491684933' post='3274834'] Were you playing on the D string around the 3rd to 7th frets? Many jazz basses suffer from dead spots low down on the D string. I have even heard of some people increasing the headstock mass to correct it. [/quote] Interestingly yes it was. Will see if the same happens at our gig this weekend and will also take my VM jazz to compare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 (edited) You can stick a brass plate on the headstock; I used to use a guitar one called a fathead Here you go http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990816/10.shtml Edited April 8, 2017 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Never heard of the Fathead, but I used a Groove tubes fatfinger to remove the effects of a deadspot at the 5th fret of the G string on a jazz bass. Could the lack of volume when the band is playing due to another band member's stomping over the frequencies - such as a bass drum with boosted eq going through the PA or a guitar that sounds great on its own, but doesn't just occupy its own part of the frequency spectrum and has too much boost on the lows and low mids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Just reading this thread and it occurred to me that in my current band I only use the D twice. A two hour set of covers and I hardly touch it. Mind you, I don't use the G at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1495388135' post='3303401'] Just reading this thread and it occurred to me that in my current band I only use the D twice. A two hour set of covers and I hardly touch it. Mind you, I don't use the G at all... [/quote] The G string is only there for playing All right Now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1495388135' post='3303401'] Just reading this thread and it occurred to me that in my current band I only use the D twice. A two hour set of covers and I hardly touch it. Mind you, I don't use the G at all... [/quote] Pretty much the same for me, I prefer to use the A string for notes above D, as being thicker, and over the bassier part of the pickup on my Precision, the notes have more depth to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 the D and G strings are where the GOLD is at ! Listen to JPJ, they are the money notes,especially around 5th to 11th frets and above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I stopped using my Jazz bass (a few times) because of this issue. I'd say its definitely room dependent. Playing on hollow stages seemed to make this worse as well. I love the jazz bass tone, but i find i have less issues with a P bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1495395576' post='3303471'] Pretty much the same for me, I prefer to use the A string for notes above D, as being thicker, and over the bassier part of the pickup on my Precision, the notes have more depth to them. [/quote] that's why I've always been a fan of reverse P pickups. Had them in a few old Yamahas I've owned over the years (still got one) and in a quirky old Polish custom job. The tone is more consistent as you cross strings, D and G are more honky anyway, so their part of the pickup counteracts that a little, being closer to the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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