tom1946 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I've never seen this mentioned and I'm sure I'm not the only one that finds my E string on any P bass I have quite 'numb' when fretted say.. 3rd - 7th fret? The A string sounds amazing as does the D. How do I get it to sound deeper and better? hard to explain what I mean. I use EB hybrid slinkys 45-105. /discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Hmm, here's a post from 2009 abut something similar... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/64764-muddy-tone-on-e-string-on-mia-p-bass/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I've never found this. The E usually sounds fatter- occasionally the A can sound punchier, more attack if you like, but that's depending on the life of the strings and the room. Usually a fretted E on a P bass sounds great to me. It's not a cab issue is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I know what You mean. One of my old US Precision sounded particularly dull around the 7th fret E string. I assumed it was the stings at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Get up the dusty end and I find the E can sound woolly, but the G, A and B all sound great through my set up. I'd take a 5th fret E string A over an open A any day of the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I find this as well, once getting above the A, but mainly on the B. It may be that due to my technique of hitting the strings fairly I hard I lower the E side of the pickup so it doesn`t boom so much. I need that attack for my band, but maybe raising the pickup on that side a tad and playing with less attack would bring better results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1946 Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Some good thoughts there guys, thanks for the input, my strings shouldn't be the problem as they are all new and generally sound fine. I'll have a play with pickup heights and see what happens, maybe the strings are a bit under tensioned or a bit 'floppy' compared to the rest..... I'm a bit wary about trying other strings and are a bit expensive to just 'throw away' if I don;t like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 [quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1448181278' post='2913421'] Some good thoughts there guys, thanks for the input, my strings shouldn't be the problem as they are all new and generally sound fine. I'll have a play with pickup heights and see what happens, maybe the strings are a bit under tensioned or a bit 'floppy' compared to the rest..... I'm a bit wary about trying other strings and are a bit expensive to just 'throw away' if I don;t like them. [/quote] I have had nothing but great results from D'Addario balanced tension (medium). Fantastic D'Ad sound and they really do all feel very balanced. I love a low tension so used to hate the floppy-E thing. If you wanted to try a set I'd be more than willing to take them off your hands if you didn't like them, I'm about to buy a new set anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Aren't these called dead spots ? Something to do with resonant frequencies or something ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1946 Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 [quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1448230851' post='2913883'] I have had nothing but great results from D'Addario balanced tension (medium). Fantastic D'Ad sound and they really do all feel very balanced. I love a low tension so used to hate the floppy-E thing. If you wanted to try a set I'd be more than willing to take them off your hands if you didn't like them, I'm about to buy a new set anyway. [/quote] I will send for a set and see how they go, no dead spots on my basses that I can detect.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I take it you use rounds and like the A for the metallic ring you get compared to the E at the 5th? If so, push the mids and the E will sound better, although at the 5th, it's always going to be a fuller, thicker sound. If you know this or use flats, kindly disregard this advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I get the same problem with the bottom E , using Fender 7250M strings , on my Jazz , Precision and Lakland ( Lakland is active ) . I have used Fender 7250M for years , and always had this problem . But as said above , if you push the mids up a bit , it does help to get rid of the muddy sound . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naetharu Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 [quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1448230851' post='2913883'] I have had nothing but great results from D'Addario balanced tension (medium). [/quote] +1 to the benefits of balanced tension strings. I used LaBella myself but the principle is the same. It find that not only do they feel nicer to play, but they also sound more even across the strings that unbalanced versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Done some messing around with my Jazz .....raised the action a touch , and lowered the pups a touch ( on bottom E side ) also going through my EBS Multicomp .........MUCH better now , but have ordered a set of D`Addario EXL170BT to see the difference with my normal set up . Will keep ya posted . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 It sounds a bit like the string is being choked, i.e.; not free to vibrate properly, try raising the action a tad, or adjust the truss, which ever is easiest for you to do. Alternatively as people have said, fiddle with the EQ. Mids are your friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingerz Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Some P's have quiet E strings and you can compensate with how the pickup is constructed to raise or lower it in relation to and specific string. What's interesting about your situation is you mention it is in one area and on one string. I would suggest you have some sort of curve going on in that area of the frets/neck which is choking your E string at that point. You should take it to a real good luthier/tech if this may be the case. It might be you need to have some fret work done to give the bass side of the neck the curve your strings need to vibrate. Make sure they are good tho. I ALLWAYS use the gallery in London, as unlike a lot of techs, they really know their stuff. Like I say, if you change strings and it's still there, I would suggest that's your problem. Any other scenario, wouldn't present you with such a unique problem. Cheers, and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 [quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1448025256' post='2912407'] my E string on any P bass I have quite 'numb' when fretted say.. 3rd - 7th fret? The A string sounds amazing as does the D. [/quote] If it's always the E around the same place on the neck for any and every P bass you've owned/played then it seems to me it can't be an instrument specific issue - so I'd discount neck and/or set-up problems (unless you manage to set every bass up you play with exactly the same measurements). Similarly, if the open A sounds fine then it probably won't be an amplification problem. There is a difference between how the same notes sound when played on different strings, certainly to my ear anyway, so maybe this is mostly what you're hearing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Put a set of D`Addario EXL170BT on my Jazz prior to rehearsal last night ................balanced volume across strings , feel good , sound good ! (seem VERY easy to play ) I thought the action was high , but when I compared it to my Lakland , it was the same . Looks like I will be moving from Fender to these , but before I do , I will give this set a run for a while . Keep ya posted . Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Used EXL 170BT for 2 gigs - ok, but not so impressed now D seems to be a bit quiet . I have raised the treble side of the pups a bit , but the G becomes too loud ! Set up I`m using is ..............Ampeg pf 800 into two Ampeg 115 cabs ( modded with neo speakers , and two extra ports - as per celestion handbook ) Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 +1 Removed my Gotoh bridge and checked the saddles....................................two grooves in them - one deep and another shallower ! All same - manufacturing fault ? Anyhow , put an original Fender Bridge on , with stainless saddles , great improvement . Have ordered some Brass saddles to try . Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.