SD pickups, string width ...help

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I changed the pickups on my stage one for SD basslines soapbars. They're great, exactly what I wanted but.....I got them off ebay and didn't pay attention to the recommended string width. Shame on me. The B and G strings sound weaker in output. What would you do in this situation? Do you think a compressor would help? Thanks


[edit] the string width is fine, I just made a mistake converting inches to mm. The maximum recommended is 3,45' and my bass has about 3,35' so I have no clue what the problem is
 
heh, same thing happened to me, but with my SS2 and J pickups. You just have to sit there and mess with the string heights and pickup heights until you magically get it. It took me a while but I got it.

I personally put the string heights all the way down and adjust action from the bridge and nut. Then I adjust the pickup heights. Mine are pretty high at around 4mm. My strings are about 2-3mm off the 24 fret.
 
You guys scare me... Since I'm interested in getting Basslines soapbars on my next CS Streamer LX 6 (non-broadneck) :shock: :shock: :shock:
 
Ian said:
You guys scare me... Since I'm interested in getting Basslines soapbars on my next CS Streamer LX 6 (non-broadneck) :shock: :shock: :shock:
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I've got SD Basslines on my Thumb, which is normal width neck. No problems at all.
 
Ok, so the problem only occurs with broadneck, where the B and G (or C) strings are pretty "away" from the magnetic field... right ? I might sound stupid always getting anxious with stuff but I wouldn't like my bass to have weak B and C strings...
 
elpelotero said:
heh, same thing happened to me, but with my SS2 and J pickups. You just have to sit there and mess with the string heights and pickup heights until you magically get it. It took me a while but I got it.

I personally put the string heights all the way down and adjust action from the bridge and nut. Then I adjust the pickup heights. Mine are pretty high at around 4mm. My strings are about 2-3mm off the 24 fret.
Click to expand...

I've tried lowering the B and G strings but with very little success...I'm thinking maybe they're defective. I made a mistake converting inches to mm and apparently the string width is fine, they should have the same output on all strings or is it common to have different levels from string to string? I connected the bass to a recording software with a vu meter and the difference from the B string to the E is about 5~10 units (db I guess). :(
 
Ian said:
Ok, so the problem only occurs with broadneck, where the B and G (or C) strings are pretty "away" from the magnetic field... right ? I might sound stupid always getting anxious with stuff but I wouldn't like my bass to have weak B and C strings...
Click to expand...

Yeah, since you have normal neck width there shouldn't be any problems. Mine sounds great :mrgreen:
 
Finally, I'm gonna stick with the MEC's... :wink: :wink: :wink:

Not because of that width thing, it's more a matter of... "ntaural feeling". Warwicks are made to be mounted with MEC's, I believe.
 
A little help please anyone? I'm about to record an album and it's important that the bass plays well. I'd be very thankful for any response. So far I've lowered the B and the G string and raised the others with little results taking in count the compromise in the overal setup. I've also messed with the pickup heights and nothing. You think maybe it could be the wiring? I don't see how it could be but I know nothing about it. Is there a way or anyone who can fix pickups or are they just garbage? Thanks
 
if you don't have a broadneck, you just have to keep tinkering with the amp turned on. I got mine to work after lots of ups and downs on several occasions. I agree that it can be very frustrating, but it is possible. My B and G are very loud now. Try giving SD a call and speak to their technical dept. for Basslines. Some knowledgeable guys working there.

If you have a broadneck...I think you might be screwed :(
 
I had Bassline AJB 5 strings PU on my Thumb NT 5, the tone "fine" at first, both me & the guy in the store thought my 90' Thumb Bass sound hard, we should use soft PU on it, then I feel my thumb is weak.....I took my bass to another store, they found that the B & G string sounds much smaller , they thought if this a 4 string PU......but it should not happened, the box is AJB 5 string Pickup and my EMG J/J is for 4 string also but it fit 5 string bass with no problem....are they really make mistake in packing....

Now I saw this post, same problem, the height should be the problem, it should be the width, the magnetic in the bassline should not fit Thumb 5, I know some wide board 5 string bass also use J/J PU, now I back to EMG, the bassline is not returnable, fuxk the bassline.............waste my money
 
Wasn't Seymour Duncan supposed to be a reliable brand? I've been searching old posts in every forum trying to find a solution and I find a lot of complaints. I also have emailed them more than a few times and they never answered.
 
space said:
Wasn't Seymour Duncan supposed to be a reliable brand? I've been searching old posts in every forum trying to find a solution and I find a lot of complaints. I also have emailed them more than a few times and they never answered.
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If the pickups were designed for a different string spacing, then there's probably not much you can do :s

Ive had no problems with mine. They're great...
 
NeonVomit said:
space said:
Wasn't Seymour Duncan supposed to be a reliable brand? I've been searching old posts in every forum trying to find a solution and I find a lot of complaints. I also have emailed them more than a few times and they never answered.
Click to expand...

If the pickups were designed for a different string spacing, then there's probably not much you can do :s

Ive had no problems with mine. They're great...
Click to expand...

Maybe you didn't read my edit but here goes again, I made a mistake converting inches to mm. The string spacing is fine, they should work. On another forum someone suggested I tested with an allen key to see where the magnets started. A very wise suggestion. I discovered that on the MEC the magnet is felt all over the pickup and on the basslines it only starts between the B and E strings and between the G and A. Almost seems like a 4 string magnet on a 5 string housing and that's what I think it is. I have no warranty so I'm in deep sh :shock: t.
 
Wow. Never thought that maybe these things are a 4 string magnet on a 5 string housing.I will have to do that test to see if I get similar results.

So all I do is pass an allen key over the pickup and watch for where it gets magnitized the most?
 
yap, that's basically it. I'm gonna run by a shop and try to do the same with other basslines pickups to figure out if that's a common thing or not.
 
The magnetic bar in my AJB-5's seems to start outside of the B and G strings, at least my allen key gets magnetized. You should call SD, maybe they'll be good guys and help you out.
 
That seem's more normal, thank you very much for your input. I tried emailing them quite a few times but there was no answer whatsoever. I'd call but I live in Europe and the call cost would be outrageous. I'd be talking so quickly nobody would understand me....and probably evacuate the factory thinking it was a bomb threat or something :)
 
I'd be interested to hear the answer to this...my g string is a bit weak with my AJB 5's too with my Streamer stage II
 
Do you have a sticker underneath your Pickups? My say "AJB-5" Are they remarkable smaller than the pickup housing? Do you run them on 9 or 18V?
 
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