weird string chorusing..need help

[dain]

hey guys,  on my bass vi low E, when i past the 8 or 9 fret i get a weird chorusing that sounds like there are two strings playing but there is only one.  you can actually watch it modulate on my tuner.

i can't find any other parts that could be vibrating sympathetically.  anyone seen this?  it happens on my jag sometimes too on the low E 12 fret, but its really obvious on the bass...

[SPudnik]

Bad string
Sometimes they get a kink when they're wound in the pack

[DB]

I've seen this with smaller guage low E strings, like the D'Addario's (low E is an 84).  Nice bright sound, but they get weird harmonics above the 5th or 7th, which sounds like what you are describing.  The Fender set, while stainless steel, seem to suffer from this problem much less (low E is a 95).

DB

[dain]

i'm using labella flats if that helps.  they're huge!  thanks for the help guys...

[djetz]

To me it sounds like something that happens on strats sometimes: if the pickup polepiece is a little too close to the strings, it can interfere with the vibration. Happens most often with the thickest strings, and particularly at the neck pickup. Try lowering the neck pickup under the fattest strings, see if that makes it go away. Could be the middle pup also, but the neck is the usual culprit. It's worth experimenting, anyway.

[FireAarro]

To me it sounds like something that happens on strats sometimes: if the pickup polepiece is a little too close to the strings, it can interfere with the vibration. Happens most often with the thickest strings, and particularly at the neck pickup. Try lowering the neck pickup under the fattest strings, see if that makes it go away. Could be the middle pup also, but the neck is the usual culprit. It's worth experimenting, anyway.

Yeah, this happens pretty obviously on most bass guitars, in my experience (maybe it's just my setups).