alexisonfire Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Does anyone have a clue why my E string would sound dull and muddy in comparison with all the other strings on my bass even with new strings on? I have tried adjusting the pickup height but that doesn't seem to work? I usually have the E string dropped to D but I still have the problem even in E? Any help would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Can you distinguish if it's an electrical or acoustic problem - ie, can you hear if it's dead sounding when you play it unplugged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I had that problem with my 09 Am.Std, so I tested the same set of strings on another jazz & got the same result. The E string was just duller than the rest of the set. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I have an old '76 P-bass, and i've always thought that as well. I've tried lots of strings and wonder if it is the pickups or somehow the construction/woods that contributes to the final tone. A D and G all sound bright and the E string sounds like a flatwound string. Hmmm. Usual advice is to change your strings but I wonder if it isn't the PUs. Davo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I've had a dull E string on a couple of different basses, even after changing the strings, one was a Fender P bass the other was a P bass copy. I never did get to the bottom of why I'm afraid. I thought it was just my imagination at first, but the band confirmed they could hear it too. I wondered if it was a raised fret just taking the edge off the vibration of the string, but there was no buzz. Sorry, don't know, but I've had the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexisonfire Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 I'm at work at the moment, I'll have a listen later to see if its different acoustically. It's really annoying me as to get good tone on the E string in having the crank up the presence on the sansamp wich is making D and G strings really twangy and horrible sounding, so having to comprimise at the moment :/ Thanks for the replys so far though. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauBass Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) Interesting post....Same problem here! I thought it was only the basses I've owned the ones that had this problem. I've always found the sound on the E string on different P basses I've owned a bit dull/muddy even when trying different string brands. As it's been pointed out, I've had to crank up the presence, high mids or trebele but then it resulted on the rest of the strings being to clanky... It gets even worst if you d-tune! As much as I like the soud of a P bass, it's always been a major draw back and the reason I always favour jazz basses instead. Edited October 27, 2009 by PauBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 [quote name='alexisonfire' post='637829' date='Oct 27 2009, 01:00 PM']Does anyone have a clue why my E string would sound dull and muddy in comparison with all the other strings on my bass even with new strings on? I have tried adjusting the pickup height but that doesn't seem to work? I usually have the E string dropped to D but I still have the problem even in E? Any help would be great![/quote] What strings are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 We'll know more after you've done the acoustic test, but... Check the nut is cut right, and make sure the E is wound to the bottom of the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 thats why i bought a 5'er to get a decent fretted E...and the D i think its because its not fretted even with the zero fret idea its still dull. probably to do with scale length and gauge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexisonfire Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 OK, so I've had a play, acoustically and it sounds spot on, looking at how the nut had been cut, it is slightly lower than the rest of the strings but then the string is thicker ... Im using Dadario pro steels so pretty damn bright. Im wondering if a badass will solve my problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 If it sounds ok acoustically then that rules out any nut or bridge issue. The nut is only a factor when you play an open string anyway. If this deadness is still there when you fret, then it's not the nut. You could swap the A and E bridge saddles too, rule out the bridge. Anyway, what might be worth trying is reversing the pickup under your E and A strings so the posts under the A string are now under the E string and vice versa. It should rule the pickup in or out as an issue fairly quickly, just make sure you don't put a screw through the wire when you're seating it, it's easy to do. On the off chance, this isn't a Rotosound string, by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexisonfire Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Ill have a go when I get back from work at 5. I hope that it isn't the pickups! Im using Daddario Pro Steels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 [quote name='alexisonfire' post='638756' date='Oct 28 2009, 08:28 AM']Im using Daddario Pro Steels [/quote] Heh heh heh it was worth asking, I generally love the sound of Rotosounds but I've come across too many duff E strings over the years, sometimes a new pack yields the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 [quote name='Doctor J' post='638742' date='Oct 28 2009, 08:08 AM']If it sounds ok acoustically then that rules out any nut or bridge issue. The nut is only a factor when you play an open string anyway. If this deadness is still there when you fret, then it's not the nut. You could swap the A and E bridge saddles too, rule out the bridge. [b]Anyway, what might be worth trying is reversing the pickup under your E and A strings so the posts under the A string are now under the E string and vice versa. It should rule the pickup in or out as an issue fairly quickly[/b], just make sure you don't put a screw through the wire when you're seating it, it's easy to do. On the off chance, this isn't a Rotosound string, by any chance?[/quote] Was just about to suggest that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I thought that was a characteristic of many Ps: that they [i]can[/i] be indistinct at the extremes of their range. I think many people use heavier guage strings and upgraded bridges to help overcome this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 +1 on swapping the PUPs around. It highlighted where a problem lay for me. Replaced the offending set with some QPs picked up on here at a chuffing good price and we're all happy again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexisonfire Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Is there much involved in swopping the pup around? Im guessing as soon as I take off the s/p i'll be able to work it out? Also if I find that this is the problem, could I litterally swop the two pups around so the dud is on the D string as I don't use it so much (obviously would be a temp mesaure until I can get some new pups). Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 The wire fconnected to the controls usually connects to the G side of the D-G pickup and then from the D side to the A side where both pickups are connected, there may not be enough slack to completely rotate both pickups but there should be enough slack to rotate the E-A pickup. All you do is unscrew, keep an eye out if it uses springs to keep resistance between the body and the pickup, turn the pickup around and screw back in, making sure the screws stay inside the springs (some basses use foam) and that the wire is nowhere near the screws. Take your time and don't force the screws back in, find the existing hole, it's very easy to gouge a new hole in the body if you apply too much force with the screw in the wrong place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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