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Topic: 3rd string/pickup weaker output |
Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 8:35 am |
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I have an MSA Sidekick (not ProAm) and I'm noticing my 3rd string is a significantly lower volume than pretty much all my other strings, certainly quieter than strings 4-10, slightly quiter than 1&2. It is centered over the 3rd pole on the pickup. I don't see anywhere to adjust the pickup height to maybe bring down the bass side.
I'm using Live Steel Strings, which otherwise sound pretty fantastic. I noticed right away when I replaced the strings that they were very consistent across all strings - I was surprised at how good the 3rd string sounded compared to how it sounded before the re-string. Normally I'd chalk it up to the 3rd string getting worn out, but I've done all of 2 gigs with those strings (and only a handful of tunes on PSG at each of those gigs) and maybe 2 practice sessions on the PSG lasting a couple hours each. Is that enough usage to suck the life out of a 3rd string? PSG is fairly new to me, so I don't know what to expect, other than knowing that the 3rd string is typically problematic. I just don't know in what ways other than potential breakage.
Any advice? |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 8:39 am
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Is electrical or a mechanical difference?? Check for groove in the finger cutting out the vibration of the string, very common on those alloy fingers. To test the pick-up, run a small screwdriver across each magnet with a small amount of volume and see if there is a difference in the magnet output volume/tone, I'll bet it's in the finger but i've seen a bad pick-up do that also. Time for a george L in that baby!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 8:56 am
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Chris - Could it be your techique?
I few years ago, I was having a similar problem with my 3rd string.
I went back to some of my old lesson paperwork, and sure enough, I wasn't putting my right hand far enough forward. was keeping my right hand towards the back of the guitar and so the angle of picks on high strings was holding back sound & tone.
Hope that helps.
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 9:56 am
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I wouldn't rule out any of those suggestions. Could very well be my technique...or a mechanical/electronic issue.
Regarding the finger, I do notice a bit of a "zing" on the 3rd string. Maybe there is a groove.
Good things to check out - thanks to both of you. |
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Doug Palmer
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 11:41 am 3rd string weak
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Chris, try recording yourself and listen again. You might be fooling yourself. If the magnet is not backwards you might try a heavier string. I use a GHS .011PG that is made for pedal guitar. They sound great and don't break either.
Doug
_________________
Emmons D-10, ST-10,LD-10 III, NV-112,Fender Deluxe Reverb. Authorized wholesale dealer musicorp.com! |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 12:02 pm
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You'll get a thin, weak sound from your third string.
That's because it's "thin".
I use a 12 for my third and still try to avoid it. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 12:14 pm
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I use and .011 and know someone using a .010, and I don't notice much (if any) difference in the output levels between it and other unwound strings.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2012 12:50 pm
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Pick ups respond pretty much to the solid core of the string. Thats why they invented adjustable pole peices. (Tonealigners) You can just pull the pole piece closer to the weak string. Michrophone closer to the source. I notice it ,big time, on my wound 6th, which has a very thin core wire. Ron
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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Posted 8 Aug 2012 5:15 am
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The Live Steel E9 standard set (nickel) has an .011 for the 3rd string. I have used a .012 in a pinch. I didn't notice much difference.
The poles are all flush with the top of the pickup. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 8 Aug 2012 7:40 am
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If it sounded good when you put the strings on, and it sounded bad later, I'd think the string was the only problem.  |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 8 Aug 2012 2:01 pm
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| Chris Walke wrote: |
The poles are all flush with the top of the pickup. |
Try getting putting a rare earth magnet the same size as the magnet in the pickup, under the 3rd string. (I think Radio Shack sells them.) The magnetism will hold it in place. This will bring the magnetic field closer to the string.
No guarantees, but it might help. If it does, you can use a drop of crazy glue to make it permanent.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Dieter Stoll
From:
Germany
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Posted 8 Nov 2018 1:48 am
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| Mike Perlowin wrote: |
Try getting putting a rare earth magnet the same size as the magnet in the pickup, under the 3rd string. (I think Radio Shack sells them.) The magnetism will hold it in place. This will bring the magnetic field closer to the string.
No guarantees, but it might help. If it does, you can use a drop of crazy glue to make it permanent. |
Help it did, indeed. Fantastic tip. Way better than futzing with the EQ imho. |
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