improving tone on bass strings

Brian Evans · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

How can I improve the tone that I get on my bass strings? I get a dead, thumpy tone when playing above the 5th fret, the notes just do not ring or sustain at all. I'm playing in EGDGBD, kind of a modified open G, string gauges are 48, 58 on the 5th and 6th string, 23" scale National Dynamic, using a Shubb SP-1 bar. I use the E string as a bass root for minor chords.

Edit - I also play lap style Dobro, 25" scale, same tuning, and I have the same problem on it, so it's probably me...

Jim Pitman · From: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

All I can say is it's not you. I've noticed the same thing on my resophonic. My suspicion is it has to do with the heavy gauge of string we typically use for the bottom two.
I'm a bluegrass GBDGBD guy and starting at the 5th fret my two lowest strings just kind of thud like you say.
My suspicion is that if we lightened the gauge on those two significantly the tone would improve higher up on the neck but at the detriment to the tone open or the volume. I've never had the guts to try.
This might be less of a compromise on an electric instrument. In fact, I have an electric slide style playing friend who insists on light gauge strings for that reason.

Or......
The entire guitar has a resonate frequency around those notes which creates both some cancellation and enhancement of particular harmonics and we are F!@#$ed.
Believe me I wish I had a solution. I have a show coming up and now realize I've been avoiding baring in that area.

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