String volume

levykev · Post by **levykev** » Mon Sep 24, 2001 7:50 am

I find I have an imbalance of volume on my E and G strings on my 4001 CS. They're not as loud as the second and third strings. I've lowered the bridge saddle a little to compensate, but that just brings the A and D string closer to the magnets, thus louder.

So, without having independent string saddles, how can I compensate for this?

emanon_bassman · Post by **emanon_bassman** » Mon Sep 24, 2001 6:27 pm

I just purchased a 75 4001 with the same problem on the E string. I have to replace the switch as it has all but froze in its tracks. I do not think that the two are related.

emanon_bassman · Post by **emanon_bassman** » Mon Sep 24, 2001 6:32 pm

After a quick scroll down I noticed that this topic has been covered. If there are any new ideas please advise otherwise I shall check the acoustic levels as well as the saddles.
Thanks All.

levykev · Post by **levykev** » Tue Sep 25, 2001 3:55 am

Yeah ,I also caught a few past comments on the subject, but if there are any revelations out there, please write. Thanks-

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue Sep 25, 2001 5:24 am

The balance of the 1970's pickup is not uncommon ...sort of standard issue .

Fender has the same problem with Jazz Basses ....check that out !They have NEVER delt with it either.

Because of the size of the string you get a different volume for each string.
The button tops do not necessarily follow the radius of the fretboard on older basses/guitars so that is a problem,and the radius' were not standardized until the fretboard radius jig was used as a standard tool in the 1970's .
That will give variances.

If the pickup had a screw that adjusted each polepiece ,you would have the best of all worlds ....but I think that due to corporate litigation threats ....no one wants to get into a Rick replacement pickup business that would solve this problem ....sorry .

You could have a pickup maker build you a one off pickup ....but it will be expensive (Research and developement is not cheap).

levykev · Post by **levykev** » Tue Sep 25, 2001 8:38 am

Thanks Mark. I wouldn't change a thing on my 1997 4001 CS, so I'll just adjust the bridge pick-up so both pick-ups are in an 'even' volume. Eventually I'd like to get the nut filed to accomodate medium guage strings, would that affect the volume? You did mention that in your reply, above, so I might check that out soon. Thanks-

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue Sep 25, 2001 9:12 am

The old button pickups are flawed in that they (the buttons) were set by eye ...they were in no way set to compensate for string volume .They just followed the curve of the neck,sort of anyway .

The horseshoes are set staggered to compensate ,but this was done long after I was there and have no idea how they sound as far as even volume string to string .

Leo Fender was not happy with his Fender pickups and when he and George Fullerton started G&L ,they made nothing but adjustable polepiece pickups to better facilitate string volume discrepancies.This would be great if Rick would update and do the same for the basses .
I know that bass players are not so fickle on change as long as they do get a better product .

Getting the nut fine tuned should be done on every instrument made by any company ....they do a good job ,but it must 'work' for any player .
Get it done with round files so the strings will all sit in the bottom of the slot .If a 'V' file is used ...the size of the string changes the depth of the string in the slot.That just does not cut it.

Nut slots affecting volume? I don't think so ,just playability and intonation.If the slot is too high then the fretted note becomes sharp in the first fret ....meaning the F on the E string is sharp by as much as 40cents .This is irritating to everyone.

levykev · Post by **levykev** » Thu Sep 27, 2001 9:23 am

Perfect!....as always. Thanks Mark!

emanon_bassman · Post by **emanon_bassman** » Thu Sep 27, 2001 1:55 pm

Is this a problem from bass to bass or are there bad years in relation to this problem. Would replacing the stock pups with newer/older Ric pups get rid of the problem? It is a 75 4001.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Sep 27, 2001 5:41 pm

Since John Hall took over in the mid 1980's everything has become consistant.
The 1970's and 1960's are consistant in that from afar they are the same yet under scrutiny they vary from day to day .The standards were a lot looser .

If you were able to get 3 instruments from any day of the same model and color ,you would see what I mean .

All in all I am really impressed by the standardization of the new guitars/basses in the last 10 years .They may not be the same as the 1960's ...but they are a better tool.

Flame me for liking better fret work etc.I know the inlays are wrong ...so what ! find the original stuff.Good luck on that .