it's working.
You are using the IC that is designed for an AC pickup but you are using points that have a DC output. they are completely different.
I have now is one chip (2917) putting out 5+v at 0 frequency (base output)
The datasheet has a graph that shows an ouput voltage of 0V when the input signal is 0Hz. Yours is wrong.
your explanation of the 3914 resistors makes little sense b/c it takes less than 2v to light the entire bar (when bypassing the POT).
I explained in simple Geek-talk how it works. Yours works differently because maybe it is wired differently.
would it be possible for you to post a schematic that works and let me look at it.
Sorry. this is your simple project not mine.