Open strings aren't as loud as fretted notes - solution?

I just got my new Rondo bass today. Gave it a setup and I'm enjoying it. I recorded something with it, and then I noticed that when I play an open string, it is noticeably less loud than my fretted notes. I realized it is also like this unplugged. I am thinking the solution is to replace the plastic nut with bone or something other than plastic. Am I right?

yes. :wink:

Absolutely!

...but first I'd probably try dressing the slots!

Tim

and....possibly - a string change - if they are original strings.......

There was a trend in the '90s toward graphite nuts to make the open strings sound more like the fretted notes. When I broke the plastic nut on my main gigging bass, I had my tech put a graphite nut on it and my backup bass too.

Now that I'm retired from gigging for the next decade or so while I raise a family, I don't play enough bass to give you a current answer but I remember thinking it was money well spent at the time.

I wonder if that was just a fad, like brass nuts were in the '70s. At the time, all the cats on an email list called The Bottom Line were raving about graphite nuts - and graphite replacement necks, too. Now I wonder if a bone nut would do just as well. If I ever need a new nut on a bass I'll go with bone, like I have on my Telecaster.

Thanks for the replies.

Absolutely!

...but first I'd probably try dressing the slots!

Tim

I'm not quite sure what that means.

and....possibly - a string change - if they are original strings.......

They're still the originals. I'll replace them with half rounds eventually. I have a list of things I want to do with it but don't have money for, and haven't figured out when would be the best time for new strings.

...but first I'd probably try dressing the slots!

I'm not quite sure what that means.

I think Tim means that you should check whether the slots in the nut in which the strings sit are the proper size - the strings shouldn't be to big for the slots, they should "bottom out". And he might also mean for you to check the slot on the neck in which the nut sits - the bottom of the slot should be smooth and flat, and the nut as well!

That's my interpretation:grin:

Thump your low E louder. Fret everything else. :lol:

A bone nut will help. Plastic has terrible energy transfer to the neck.

I think Tim means that you should check whether the slots in the nut in which the strings sit are the proper size - the strings shouldn't be to big for the slots, they should "bottom out". And he might also mean for you to check the slot on the neck in which the nut sits - the bottom of the slot should be smooth and flat, and the nut as well!

That's my interpretation:grin:

Works for me!

Tim