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Piezo Bridge String volume imbalance.


andyonbass
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I have just aquired a Status Electro, after a long time searching for one and the wait has been worthwile apart from one annoying factor.
There is an annoying imbalance between the volumes on the strings :(
The B is pretty quiet, the E and A seem ok the D is way loud and the G seems ok. I have changed the strings, but this hasn't improved it at all really.
Searching on the net reveals this is not uncommon with piezo equipped instruments and possibly the under saddle piezo has moved slightly. I'm reluctant to have it apart myself, having no experience of this type of bridge and I dont want to make it worse. What I'd like to know is whether it is a job that can be trusted to my local guitar shop or if a specialist would be required, and if so,has anybody any reccomendations? I could take it to Rob at Status Graphite but it is a fair old trek for me so anything closer would be a bonus!
Thanks in anticipation
Andy

Its this one here

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[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1327129955' post='1506718'] I have changed the strings, but this hasn't improved it at all really.[/quote]Andy,

It's a pitty that you haven't check what's inside. When you take the strings off you have a possibility to take the saddle off and see what happened.
I fixed several guitars with this problem and sometimes it was caused by slightly moved piezo transducer, sometimes by uneven surface beneeth it, and quite often by failed transducer (it's very delicate).
[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1327129955' post='1506718']I'm reluctant to have it apart myself, having no experience of this type of bridge and I dont want to make it worse.[/quote]As I said, you already had an opportunity to check it. You have to fix it anyway so I wouldn't worry about making it worse.
[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1327129955' post='1506718'] What I'd like to know is whether it is a job that can be trusted to my local guitar shop or if a specialist would be required,[/quote]You need a person called luthier and I assume that at your local guitar shop they have, or at least they know such a person. It's a simple task for a luthier.

PS: I don't live in your neighbourhood :unsure: .

Mark

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This won't directly answer your question but the Ibanez Affirma bass, made in the early 90s, is notorious for one or more of the piezos going quieter or failing. In this case, the original designer Rolf Spuler offers a service whereby you send him the saddle and he repairs/refurbishes for around £30. Point being, its clearly not a big or costly issue getting these fixed, as long as you know where to get the work done - the latter question I cannot help you with but I would call a reputable luthier like Alan Cringean of ACG Guitars (who uses piezos in his basses) or Martin Pietersen of The Bass Gallery and see what they say

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Hi Andy, I have a couple of basses with undersaddle piezos and it's easy to run a basic check before calling in a luthier.

Loosen the strings, unhook them from the bridge and move them to one side so you can get access to the saddle. Then gently lift the saddle out of the slot. The saddle just rests on top of the transducer so should lift out easily. Carefully inspect the saddle slot and surface of the transducer for any dust or dirt and clean gently by blowing or with a soft brush. Similarly inspect the underside of the saddle and give that a gentle clean.

The underside of the saddle should be perfectly flat and make good contact with the surface of the transducer which should also be perfectly flat. The slightest bit of fluff or dirt or whatever can upset the piezo balance. Put the saddle back in the slot, string up and see if that has helped. Gently pushing down on the saddle over any weak strings can sometimes help. Give it a little while to settle down and bed in.

If the problem persists then there are other things you can do such as sanding or shimming the saddle to adjust the string balance. It's not hard to do but takes care and patience. Best left to a luthier if your not comfortable doing it yourself.

Good luck!

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If you're feeling ok to experiment, you can try the advice given by the Fishman website for dealing with this type of problem installing their piezo pickups.

They recommend placing paper shims between the underside of the bridge and the piezo pickup itself, strategically placing them under the quiet strings, thereby creating better contact to even out the string volume. They say you may have to fold thin bits of paper in places to create the appropriate thickness shim.
Note this solution is based on the assumption that there are uneven gaps between the underside of the bridge and the piezo pickup, leading to uneven string volume. It's also assuming the piezo contacts are working up to spec.

BTW, are you using factory spec. string gauges on this bass ?

Hope you get it sorted.

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Thanks for you replies, guys good advice as always!

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1327141181' post='1506818']
Then gently lift the saddle out of the slot.
[/quote]

I tried to do this when I changed the strings, but there was some resistance so not wanting to force anything, I decided against it. If you look at the photo, there is an allen screw either side of the saddle, (height adjustment?) I wonder whether they are whats holding the saddle in place?

Essexbasscat, I will visit the Fishman site, thanks for the heads up. I replaced the strings with the same guage that I removed, which I assume were factory spec,as the bass had recently been repaired at Status Graphite.( for a different issue) I am surprised this wasn't picked uo in the process

Edited by andyonbass
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[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1327143273' post='1506858']
I tried to do this when I changed the strings, but there was some resistance so not wanting to force anything, I decided against it. If you look at the photo, there is an allen screw either side of the saddle, (height adjustment?) I wonder whether they are whats holding the saddle in place?
[/quote]

Hmm, this sort of saddle would normally just slide in. If it's not moving freely that may be part of the problem (it shouldn't be loose but should move freely). Give Rob a call at Status or drop him an email. He's always very helpful (01206 868150 / [email protected]).

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