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Post subject: unwanted overtones
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:45 pm
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I have a 5-string fretless jazz with the 09s pole pieces on the pickups (big single poles unlike the smaller paired poles used now). I am using taper-wound roundwounds. I have the string height set as close to factory recommendation as I can estimate. My problem is that I get an overtone almost everywhere on the B-string, so that the notes have kind of a dissonant bell sound to them (more like a cracked bell actually). I don't think the strings are too low. As I play a little on the hard side I have the strings set high enough that they don't buzz, but I'm not sure what to do to get rid of the overtones. The other four strings sound nice and clear everywhere on the fingerboard.

Any informed advice out there?


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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:40 am
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The only factor that would create overtones on your strings would be the pickups being too close to the strings.
I recommend lowering the pickup on the B string side and see if that makes a difference in the overtones.

Good luck with it.

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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:38 pm
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The problem with lowering the pickup on the B side is that you kill a bit of the response on the E and (possibly) A strings too. I'd suggest lowering the B side just slightly and combining that with raising the action just a tweak on the B string. That way, your pickup adjustment will have as little effect on the E and A string response as possible.

Just a thought. Raising the B string action a bit shouldn't affect playing too much, as it's a fairly easy string to finger considering it's diameter.


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Post subject: b string blues
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 4:50 pm
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I'm inclined to raise the B, as that makes the most sense considering that none of the other strings sound funky, except when I play funk of course ;).


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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:04 am
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You didn't mention if you have moved the amp to a different room or location in the same room... this just might be a "room ambience" problem as the sound comes out of the amp and bounces off stuff before the sound gets to your ears.

I have had this happen on numerous occasions on-stage and props and temporary walls had to be moved or the amp moved slightly to eliminate the harmonics.

Not saying that the guitar or string arrangement is not the problem, but look into amp placement before you start replacing parts.

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Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:40 am
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Overtones are annoying. FREQUENTLY new strings are overtone overload. See this page for how I deal with it.
http://brotherdave.com/add_mute.htm


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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:23 am
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i usually add a piece of cloth near the bridge or a foam mute works

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Post subject: Re:
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:13 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Overtones are annoying. FREQUENTLY new strings are overtone overload. See this page for how I deal with it.
http://brotherdave.com/add_mute.htm


Have you used one of these techniques brotherdave talked about? I am new to the bass, been playing a Strat for a while. I just bought a new Squier Affinity Jazz V. When I played in the store over several different trips before I bought it I did not hear any ringing overtones from other strings. It was only after I had it at home for the a couple of days that I started noticing a the ringing and overtones from the other strings that I was not playing. I also am having fret buzz when I lift off B and E. I did ask to have it set up when I bought it. I know I have issues :lol: Any thoughts???


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Post subject: Re: unwanted overtones
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:32 am
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atmx wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
Overtones are annoying. FREQUENTLY new strings are overtone overload. See this page for how I deal with it.
http://brotherdave.com/add_mute.htm


Have you used one of these techniques brotherdave talked about? I am new to the bass, been playing a Strat for a while. I just bought a new Squier Affinity Jazz V. When I played in the store over several different trips before I bought it I did not hear any ringing overtones from other strings. It was only after I had it at home for the a couple of days that I started noticing a the ringing and overtones from the other strings that I was not playing. I also am having fret buzz when I lift off B and E. I did ask to have it set up when I bought it. I know I have issues :lol: Any thoughts???


This sounds like a technique problem. It sounds like you are getting unwanted overtones from the strings you aren't playing because you aren't muting them when you are not playing them.

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