E String thumps and other three sing...A string issue?

[lolaviola]

My Jazz bass has a thumpy E string that overwhelms the amp, and will not blend with the other strings (EADG). I've tried Fender rounds, Cryogenic rounds, and XL Rounds and Chromes... And even different pickups.
I recently read about taperwound E strings can help with a thumpy E... True? please educate me.

[Arthur U. Poon]

Possibly your pickups are raised too high under your E-string?

[knuckle_head]

What are the gauges? I bet your E is too loose.

Ya knew it was comin', right?



Arthur; Your sig is hysterical - I had that very discussion with Mike Lull.

[fretlessguy]

If you have tried different types brands of strings, and perhaps even different types and gauges, then the culprit has to be how it is set up. Could be pickup height, or how the string is set up at the bridge and/or the string height itself.
If you are not doing the set-ups your self, take it to a qualified tech in your area and see what they think.

FG

[ptolemny]

If you only play in one environment/space, and never gig or otherwise have cause to move your amp, then your problem might be acoustical; I think its called a standing wave. When we moved to a different practice space, I immediately noticed that my open E (tuned down to D#) had a swirly/chorusey effect. The room itself was sort of trapezoid-shaped. After a little head scratching and deductive reasoning, I moved my amp a little bit so that the speakers were pointing about 15 degrees off from their previous position; that did the trick.

[lolaviola]

I think I'm setting my pickup too low on the bass side.

[knuckle_head]

If your amp is overwhelmed by the output on your E it sounds more like your pickup is set to high to me.

What are your set gauges?

[slagbass]

Try the forum "Hardware, Setup and Repair". There is a sticky thread there titled "ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE". You will find good info on how to set pickup height and what the recommended height is.

[mmbongo]

I had both a Lakland and a Sadowsky with that same thing. After at least a year of setups, pickups, and hundreds of dollars worth of strings I gave up on them and sold them (I didn't have both at the same time). I became convinced the wood on those basses cancelled out E string frequencies and they could not be fixed.

[knuckle_head]

I'm convinced a balanced set of strings would go a long way toward helping.

But I'm always of that mind.

[lolaviola]

What kind of strings are "balanced"? because I feel the same way.

[Bruce123]

99% of the time it is a problem with the nut not properly cut.

[knuckle_head]

I know my strings (CircleKstrings.com) are available in balanced sets - there are a few other brands that have them specifically, or call them light top/heavy bottom sets. Sorry - I can't think of specific manufacturers.

[Bassist4Life]

if i were in your shoes, i'd try to become as familiar with my bass as possible and learn how to attack specific notes. some strings/notes sound louder when you pluck them. adjusting your technique can help.

peace & music,
joe