Cello bridge cut to help d and g string possible?

[baroquecello]

I've bought an electronic Cello (mainly because some of my pupils are interested and I would like to be able to help) which has the Problem that the a and c strings work very well, but the d and g strings are very noticably less responsive and simply much less loud. Ofcourse, it could be the electronics (Piezo). However my acoustic Cello has had such a Problem, though not as bad, before a Change of Bridge, so I was wondering if a Bridge can be cut is such a way that it brings out the middle two strings more, or somewhat mutes the outer two.

 

Or, if anyone has any idea at all what might help, I'm very happy About any Suggestion!

[duane88]

With an electric cello you would get a pre-amp and balance the output that way. reduce the treble, boost the bass.

[baroquecello]

@duane88 That is the Thing, both treble and bass are fine, the a and c strings Sound better than I would have expected, but the d and g strings sorely lack in Sound; both clearly less loud and a very different timbre. (I've a spirocore/Larsen Combo on, btw). So if I boost the bass, the c string becomes more poweful, but it doesn't help the g string much at all. If I boost the treble,, the a string becomes shriller, but the d doesn't Change much at all. The best Setting for balance is to completely reduce both bass and treble. Then the balance is a bit better, but Nothing close to acceptable.

[Mike_Danielson]

I do not think piezo-electric transducers have a significant frequency dependence to the response--so, it cannot be that. 

But this seems like a transducer problem:  Take a look at the placement of the transducer--make sure it is located per the manufacturer's instructions (and that it is the correct transducer for this application). 

If this is a cheap electric cello, the problem may be a badly designed transducer.   Sorry, my crystal ball is still being worked on.

Mike D

[baroquecello]

6 minutes ago, Mike_Danielson said:

Sorry, my crystal ball is still being worked on.

Mike D

Lol thank you Mike, I realise this is a Crystal ball Kind of Question, but I really am a total beginner at this, so actually your comments did help! The Cello is relatively cheap at 400 Euros, but the electronics are from a respected brand (shadow). The Placement was done by the manufacturer so I do not think that could be the Problem. Maybe my expectations are too high of such a cheap product.

[PASEWICZ]

In a normal cello, the deficiency of the center two strings is a textbook soundpost adjustment issue.

[glebert]

When you say they are less responsive is that listening to the amplified tone or do they actually feel less responsive to the bow? If you play with the electronics off is there the difference still there acoustically? You mentioned bass and treble controls but no mids. Wondering if the piezo really needs a 3 band preamp instead of 2. Is this a Harley Benton or something like that?

Also, I assume the Spirocore/Larsen are your changes. Was it more even with stock strings? 

You should be able to (with electronics on) take a small device, maybe a hefty pen or something, and tap on the bridge  right under (or even on top of) the strings and see if it sounds quieter in the middle of the bridge. Could be the bridge wood is just crappy and the outside strings are putting pressure directly down on the bridge legs and piezo so they some through more. Check the bridge feet fit as well.

[Mike_Danielson]

I would give up on this one.  The OP has given us almost no information. 

We know it is a Shadow transducer but not the model--some have a preamp and some do not.  Shadows have different transducer mountings.

  No info on the make of cello.  No pictures of the setup.  

Mike D

[baroquecello]

Thanks everyone for the attempt to help. Bottom line is that I think the cello might be tweaked into something usable if one knows what one is doing (I do not). But I have lost trust in the seller, and therefore have decided to hand the cello, a Harley Benton, by the way, back.