B and E String Volume

[bigfox]

I have a problem with my Epiphone Casino model. The B and E strings (2nd and 1st) do not have as much volume as the other four strings. Has anyone else had this problem with their guitars? It could be my hearing is bad for those freq?uencies or my imagination, but I hear a distinct difference in volume on those two strings.

I tried backing out the pickup screws for those two strings and screwing in the other four strings pickups. Is there anything else I could try

[zagatron1]

It could be the grooves in the bridge saddles for those particular strings not allowing the strings to resonate as they should, therefore they'll have a "dull" sound to them.

[bigfox]

Hi  zagatron1,

Is there a fix for that?

[pictoratus]

I'm not familiar with that model but the next time you have the strings off you might check to make sure the peg heads for those strings aren't loose. Wobbly peg heads can cause a dull sound also.

[diaper head]

try tilting the pick up so that the end towards the lighter strings is higher than the end towards the lower strings. that should cure your problem.  on either side of your pick up is a little screw. turning that screw adjusts the pick up height for that side.  if this wasn't done when you bought the guitar, take it to your local music shop and ask them to do a set up.  they'll adjust your bridge to make sure it is properly intonated, and to make sure the action is set at the optimum level.
they'll adjust the pick up height as well as checking the set on your neck. it's not expensive to have done, and you'll be really surprised at how much better your instrument plays and sounds when they are done.

[zagatron1]

Hi  zagatron1,

Is there a fix for that?

If it is confirmed to be the problem, the easiest (but not cheapest) way to solve it, is to "upgrade" the bridge to something like a Gotoh, Tone Pros or something like that. The cheapest way is to cut (file) the two suspect saddle notches.

[diaper head]

i would get a set up before i spent money on a new bridge.

[DetroitBlues]

This problem is found more on Single Coil guitars rather than humbuckers.  On a single coil guitar I found the problem really is pickup height.  Most of the time raising one pickup higher than the other will fix the problem.  With Humbuckers, the poles are adjustable, you could also raise that.  Keep in mind, the strings are pulled by the the magnets of the guitar pickups and could cause low volume because they are too close.  Take the guitar when plugged into an amp on the clean channel and slow adjust either the pickup or pole under the string until you find that sweet spot.  I actually lower my pickups almost to the bottom then slowly bring them up until I get the tone/volume I'm looking for.  A good setup on the bridge is more related to the action of the strings above the frets.  But adjusting that has nothing to do with volume of strings.  Also, thicker strings are "picked up" better too.  Maybe a thicker gauge.  I use 11's on a Epi Les Paul (so it doesn't hurt so much, try wraping the strings back over the tail piece rather than under).  A little trick I picked up from Joe Bonassama.

[diaper head]

my reccomendation for the set was because if the pickup height hasn't already been adjusted, then the set-up may not have been done either.  if he doesn't feel comfortable raising the pickups himself, while it's at the shop...might as well get the rest done. 

[lessonsthatrock]

First off, has it always been this way, or are you just noticing it now? My first thought would be to replace the pickups. As pickups get old they have a slightly different magnetic field, and of course I'm sure you're not using the same old stock strings as when you bought it, so that might make a difference.

[bigfox]

Detroit Bl ues said to try wraping the strings back over the tail piece rather than under it. I am not sure what this means. Where is the tail piece?

I believe the volume of these two strings has been a problem since I bought it. I am using 10 or 11 gauge strings. I tried adjusting the screws in the humbuckers. I have not yet tried raising the picups on the lower sides. I have not filed the bridge for these two strings.

Thanks to everybody for these great suggestions.

[zagatron1]

Detroit Bl ues said to try wraping the strings back over the tail piece rather than under it. I am not sure what this means. Where is the tail piece?

I believe the volume of these two strings has been a problem since I bought it. I am using 10 or 11 gauge strings. I tried adjusting the screws in the humbuckers. I have not yet tried raising the picups on the lower sides. I have not filed the bridge for these two strings.

Thanks to everybody for these great suggestions.

I made my suggestion based on what I know about the Epiphone guitars. Maybe I didn't fully understand what you meant. I had some Epi Les Pauls come across my path with the bridge saddles not properly notched, which resulted in the plain strings (G,B & E)   sounding "dull".

[creekster52]

Everyone has touched on some good, valid recommendations here, and that's the problem...It could be any of these things or even more than one. Why not take it to your favorite shop and have it checked out. It may even be covered by Epiphone's warranty.

 http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=1234

[diaper head]

i would like to hear what the outcome was, once the o/p gets it solved.   

[DetroitBlues]

The tail piece is something found on Les Paul style guitars where the bridge and the part that holds the strings are seperate.  That seperate piece is known as a tailpiece since its at the "tail end" of the strings.  My post had nothing to do with string volume, just a tid bit of info to help Les Paul style players using thicker gauge strings.... Sorry about the confusion.