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Post subject: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 10:00 am
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I have just restored a 76 Jazz Bass and since I did not have any other new strings handy, fitted some Warwick Red Label stainless steel strings. The bass sounds absolutely brilliant and is vibrant across the board, other than from the 12th fret upwards on the G-string where the string sounds somewhat warbled... sounds like two notes played simultaneously eg. C & B.

I have set up many basses over my 40+ years in the game and never came across this issue. Could it be the G-string that is suspect? The action is not too low and the pickups are not too close to the strings either. The frets are pretty good for a 76 vintage with very few if any rattles. I have raised the G-string saddle, lowered the pickups, yet the problem remains?

Any advice you guys can offer?


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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 1:42 pm
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See if the G string is causing your D string to vibrate.

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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 2:18 pm
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:idea: :arrow: Loosen the G string and make sure it isn't twisted coming through the bridge. Retune to pitch and set witness points at the both the nut and bridge saddle. If this fails replace the string.

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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 6:32 pm
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If you are talking about the sound where it sounds like two notes being played at the same time-- I've experienced that somewhat and have heard about it before. There's someting they call it but I forget what it is. I don't think you can tell it's doing that when you play loud in a band situation. I'm going to have to call Mr. Know Itall and see what he says.


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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 10:05 pm
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Thanks for the advice so far - It is great to see such quick response on a forum!

It is definitely only the G-string only (other strings muted) that does this and it is only from the 12th fret onwards. The root note is louder than the "odd" one. There is no fretbuzz i.e. too low action or uneven frets either. It is really only very noticeable with both pickups open - in other words more bass added.

Will try another string tonight...

PS This neck has that micro-tilt facility and I have that turned right off, in other words the neck is sitting flat in the pocket with no "shimming".


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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 4:54 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
If you are talking about the sound where it sounds like two notes being played at the same time...
There's someting they call it but I forget what it is.

It's called going in and out of phase. Two notes at the same pitch tuned very close but not exactly the same. The notes will alternate between constructive and destructive interference and provide a slight warble. Piano tuners do this on purpose to give the piano a more musical timbre. That's not what is occurring here, though.

Midinut wrote:
The root note is louder than the "odd" one. There is no fretbuzz i.e. too low action or uneven frets either. It is really only very noticeable with both pickups open - in other words more bass added.
So you feel as if there is a second note playing over top of your fundamental note? Is it an octave?

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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:32 am
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It sounds like a slight chorus effect - almost like when you play a C and B simultaneously in the higher register. I have never had this problem hence thinking it could be the string itself.

A friend of mine who is pretty clued up with basses mentioned that the pickups could be too high, bit that I have checked out and it is not causing the problem.


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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:24 am
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Midinut wrote:
It sounds like a slight chorus effect - almost like when you play a C and B simultaneously in the higher register. I have never had this problem hence thinking it could be the string itself.

A friend of mine who is pretty clued up with basses mentioned that the pickups could be too high, bit that I have checked out and it is not causing the problem.


The "Slight Chorus Effect" you mention is indicative of a twisted string, and can also be a manufacturers defect in that the core of the string is twisted.

I'd go ahead and restring with good fresh stringset, and do a complete set-up on your bass. Make sure your bridge screws are good and tight, just don't strip 'em out.

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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:06 pm
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Have you tried headphones to rule out sympathetic vibrations or standing waves in the room acoustics?


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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:55 pm
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linnin wrote:
Midinut wrote:
It sounds like a slight chorus effect - almost like when you play a C and B simultaneously in the higher register. I have never had this problem hence thinking it could be the string itself.

A friend of mine who is pretty clued up with basses mentioned that the pickups could be too high, bit that I have checked out and it is not causing the problem.


The "Slight Chorus Effect" you mention is indicative of a twisted string, and can also be a manufacturers defect in that the core of the string is twisted.

I'd go ahead and restring with good fresh stringset, and do a complete set-up on your bass. Make sure your bridge screws are good and tight, just don't strip 'em out.



I'm thinking I like the twisted string thing answer.


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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:45 am
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I think I know what you are talking about.

This happens on Jazz basses when the bass pickup is too close to the strings.

Just lower the pickup or raise the G string slightly and you will hear this effect disappear.

If this doesn't work then check for the twisted string, etc..

Good luck with it.

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Post subject: Re: 1976 JAZZ BASS.. WARBLING NOTES
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 1:34 pm
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Thanks again guys for all the advice! I did notice that the pickups on this 76 is pretty potent compared to the pickups on my 50th anniversary Jazz. Either pickup height or a dud G-string... as my girlfriend would say!

Will try all the options this weekend.


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