Gibson V weak low B

[Bob Gollihur]

I enjoy my Gibson V, but it suffers from weak low B syndrome. I've tried different strings, tension seems ok, but the B has always been a little hollow sounding, lower in volume than the rest of the set, and kind of less focused. My other fivers perform very well with the same strings. Both pickups have the same issue. Thoughts/experiences with these pickups? TIA...

 

Bob

 

(We'll talk about Pointy Headstock Disease at another time)

[Bassilisk]

I enjoy my Gibson V, but it suffers from weak low B syndrome. I've tried different strings, tension seems ok, but the B has always been a little hollow sounding, lower in volume than the rest of the set, and kind of less focused. My other fivers perform very well with the same strings. Both pickups have the same issue. Thoughts/experiences with these pickups? TIA...

 

Bob

 

(We'll talk about Pointy Headstock Disease at another time)

 

 

Bob, if you've tried everything else i.e. tweak the setup, various strings, various pickup heights etc, sometime you just have to accept that it's the bass itself. I had an old BC Rich Eagle once where no matter what I did (and I tried everything including changing out the pickups) it just never gave up an E string with substance. Fiver B's can really be problematic, particularly on older instruments where this kind of problem wasn't immediately recognized.

 

I have a Steinberger XM where the open E is...less than a punch in the chest. You wouldn't expect that from a composite/wood bass, but there it is. The other notes on the string are strong though.

 

If adding mass to the headstock (like a Fatfinger - Fender has started making them again because they do work) doesn't help, then you'll have to decide how much compromise you're willing to deal with.

[raven1844]

I enjoy my Gibson V, but it suffers from weak low B syndrome. I've tried different strings, tension seems ok, but the B has always been a little hollow sounding, lower in volume than the rest of the set, and kind of less focused. My other fivers perform very well with the same strings. Both pickups have the same issue. Thoughts/experiences with these pickups? TIA...

 

Bob

 

(We'll talk about Pointy Headstock Disease at another time)

 

Bob -

 

I have a Thunderbird Studio 5 string that the B seemed very weak on. At first I thought maybe it was the pickups. But after trying different strings and adjusting the pickup height, I found that lowering the pickup on the B string side (screwing it in, moving it away from the string) actually increased the volume. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it worked. I know the TB+ pickups have changed over the years, so mine are likley different from yours but it might be worth a shot.