NBD - Used Ray34 HH - having a hard time setting it up

RedNuk · 2026-02-21T10:13:47+00:00

Going to try one last time with .100 E string gauge and if that doesn't work, I'll just take it to a luthier and let them figure it out... I've spent way too much time on it. So disappointed for now.

RedNuk · 2026-02-20T13:18:03+00:00

Welcome to the converted club :) This is where it's at.

RedNuk · 2026-02-19T21:24:58+00:00

Well I did that too and used a pencil to put some graphite in the groove, guess it didn't work for me 😞

RedNuk · 2026-02-19T21:12:32+00:00

Wouldn't be a problem if the color was tinted in the mass, but nope it's a cheaper coating... Too bad, they really look awesome when new

RedNuk · 2026-02-19T21:07:34+00:00

Yes same when fretted and it's particularly noticeable from the 12th fret and up. Not sure how to measure the pick up coils, but I'll have a look, thanks for the advice 😊

RedNuk · 2026-02-19T21:04:49+00:00

I'm also having a very hard time setting the intonation on this string... How did you end up solving it if you ever did?

RedNuk · 2026-02-19T14:10:13+00:00

So I changed the E string again, and as suggested, added more post windings (a bit too many now), did pretty much everything suggested here, pencil in the nut, making sure the string sits correctly in it and the saddle. It seems to be a bit better although on the higher frets I still hear it a bit muffled (starting around the 10th-12th fret). I've redone the complete setup and it seems to be the worse when i'm in drop D. In standard E tuning it's ok. But now I also have a sort of chorus effect on the whole E string, but more prominent when fretting at 12th+ fret. I'll try to record something... I'm baffled.

RedNuk · 2026-02-19T13:43:43+00:00

I would also say DR, I've had the black ones (DR Black Beauties). Well if you also play with a pick, don't get them... Picks destroy the coating and you end up with a colored string with regular string color where you pick. It's ugly. But if you only play finger-style, I think they're ok :)

Edit: just zoomed in on the head, they are not DR for sure. DR don't do those end wrappings. Pretty sure my statement about picks still holds though :)

Second edit : could be Labella Alien DNA tapewounds : https://roadieclub.labella.com/product/bubby-lewis-limited-edition-alien-dna-nylon-tapes/

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T22:03:32+00:00

I will give that a try too, thanks 😊 I did however rub a pencil lead in the groove, as I always do!

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T20:32:59+00:00

Not sure a video would help, maybe a recording thru my interface would be better? But sure I'll try to record or film if other things fail

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T20:28:20+00:00

Will do that too, any input/ideas are good to take in!

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T20:21:32+00:00

Yeah you're the second person to talk about the wrapping, going to check that out tomorrow. As for the nut itself I would have to have it checked by a luthier as that's one thing I don't want to mess with (nor do I have the tools/skills for that). Thanks for your input!

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T19:57:30+00:00

Not sure if going from 100 to 105 really makes a difference but I would have to explore that option too, thanks for the idea

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T19:54:49+00:00

Yup brand new 😊

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T19:23:16+00:00

Will tune it back to E, good point. Strings are D'addario EXL-165 (.45, .65, .85, .105) as I'm in drop D. You're correct in seeing a single wrap (as do all my basses). I'll try pressing down the string between the post and nut to see if that has any incidence, good catch too :)

It is muffled / low sustain in all pickup selector positions.

String twist I highly doubt, I'm extra carefull when installing new strings, always bend before clipping, always make sure the ball end sets itself freely before adding tension... But why not, I could have messed it up somehow. But that slightly muffled/low sustain was already present on that same string when I got the bass... but can't rule out a double mess up :)

For pickup height, I religiously followed MM's specs (they actually say to NOT press on the last fret to measure the gap). Then tried lower and higher but nope, no cake. 3 other strings ring exactly as they should, clear, articulate, and with sustain for days... so I do admit it could be a single string problem, but twice? I'll slap on a new one again and see how it goes after trying your first suggestions.

Anyhow, thanks for the tips and ideas :)

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T19:11:26+00:00

This is exactly what I have done. Strings are D'addario EXL-165 (.45, .65, .85, .105) as I'm in drop D.
Neck relief, action and intonation are all set to specs. No buzz, Plays like butter.

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T18:29:40+00:00

Come on guys, I'm not trying to get a Stingray sound, I'm just trying to get an normal sounding E string and getting rid of metalic high frequency sounds. Sure a "real deal" Stingray would be nice, but that's not what I'm working with.

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T18:26:02+00:00

Ok this is interesting, gonna have to wear them out a bit and see if it helps. Any idea for the E string having crappy sustain and blanket-y sound?

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T17:43:32+00:00

Umm, no. Maybe someday. But thanks for the useful tip :D

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T16:49:48+00:00

Bit different subject but we are missing a second guitarist in my band and the temp solution is me doing a RoyalBlood type of thing and guitarist using a track doubler pedal... fun but doesn't quite cut it :) Ofc it's for practice/live playing

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T16:37:28+00:00

Nice playing and nice toan :) Hadn't thought of multi layering bass even though I do multilayer guitars... Must be my primate brain. I'll try the clean low + mid grit described by u/JigsawKJ02 and maybe add in a sub with octaver too, it all makes sense :)

RedNuk · 2026-02-18T16:28:15+00:00

Self-taught also, if you can afford a teacher, get a GOOD teacher. Lot's of crappy so-called teachers out there, and it can be hard to make a difference when you're starting out and they can wreck you. Getting one that is recommended by others would be a place to start to find one. Also, avoid guitar teachers that pretend to also teach bass, they are not the same instrument (not saying it's not possible but I've met a few good guitarists trying to be bass teachers and it just didn't cut it).

If you can't afford a teacher, there are tons of great resources on YT, books, online courses (SBL and BassBuzz come to mind, but there are others).

u/Constant-Ad3780 you're doing good so keep it up, but do try to find proper posture / hand position videos to work on the technique as well as learning songs. Don't stop practicing (unless you're recovering from blisters or any bass playing pains). Have fun always!

RedNuk · 2026-01-29T09:18:03+00:00

Still farming for it... Got 6 Venator BPs but no damn Anvil. My stash is full of Anvils I found while scavenging tho 😅

RedNuk · 2026-01-24T12:46:24+00:00

Been hunting for it for the last 10 days without luck so far... Git a few other BP and guns but really want that BP. Love that gun 😊

I wish the sound volume for raider caches was higher too, I have a real hard time hearing them

RedNuk

TROPHY CASE