New pack, one dead string??

crozier247 · #1 01-16-2011, 11:31 AM

hey this is my first post sorry if it's not posted in the right spot but
I just got a new pack of ernie ball hybrid slinky bass strings (the orange pack) I put them on last night, played un-amped for a while and everything was sounding fine. Today I go to play through a few songs and I got through 2 of the songs everything sounded fine but then I noticed my A string sounds horribly dead. The rest of the strings are bright and punchy, typical of a new pack of strings, but the A sounds flat and dull, and it sounded fine before. If it helps, the songs I played were say it aint so by weezer and boys dont cry by the cure, which are songs that heavily use the A string. I washed my hands before playing so I don't think it was grease and the rest of the strings sound fine. I play a squire vintage modified P bass through an acoustic b100 1x15 combo amp. the gauge of the srings is 105-85-65-45, is the A too big for the bridge? it sounds like it might have slipped out or something, and this is the first time I have used theese strings on this bass, I've had it since Christmas and I just changed the stock strings (which werent that bad) last night, I've always used ernie balls on my other bass which was an Ibanez. Someone please help as this is super freakin annoying and it's really bringing me down

CElton · #2 01-16-2011, 06:24 PM

Contact Ernie Ball Customer Service and tell them you had a dead A string out of the pack. They might just replace the string or possibly the entire set. It's worth a shot.

Let us know how it turns out.

crozier247 · #3 01-16-2011, 07:52 PM

Well, before I do that I should let you know it was working for a little bit before the dead sound happened. I went to go play Aneurysm by Nirvana, which if your not familiar with, is a really agressive song and I play with a pick and I was playing the live version and was going all out but I wasn't like thrashing on my strings. Could it just be the nut is too big or small? and I appreciate the feedback

BoomingBass · #4 01-16-2011, 07:55 PM

Check to make sure the string is straight and not twisting, I've heard of that happening to people with a dead sounding string.

Jazz Ad · #5 01-16-2011, 07:58 PM

Yes most of the time a dead sounding string is twisted. If it's not then you have a case of DOA string, something really rare with Ernie Ball.

crozier247 · #6 01-16-2011, 07:59 PM

what are the obvious signs of a twisted string (besides the sound) Like, for example will it look twisted near the bridge?

Jazz Ad · #7 01-16-2011, 08:05 PM

No obvious visual sign. Just take it of and mount it properly, making sure you don't twist it.

crozier247 · #8 01-16-2011, 08:13 PM

I'm novice to problems such as this, not to sound stupid but the string looks straight, should I just completley re string the A string? and could it be a nut problem?

crozier247 · #9 01-16-2011, 08:37 PM

I just re-strung it, same problem. The notes when fretted don't sound as bad, but still kinda dull. Is it the nut, or possibly just a dud?

darkstorm · #10 01-16-2011, 08:42 PM

Ive ocassionally had dead in the pkg string. With DR and Ken Smith. With the latter it happened too many times so I'll never buy their strings again.

crozier247 · #11 01-16-2011, 08:58 PM

I emailed them explaining the problem. This sucks, but is it possible that its the nut?

bikeplate · #12 01-16-2011, 09:05 PM

HI

Just a dead string. Happens with every manufacturer. The good companies with send u a replacement, the creepy ones with tell you they cant help u. Good luck

Rob

crozier247 · #13 01-18-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CElton

Contact Ernie Ball Customer Service and tell them you had a dead A string out of the pack. They might just replace the string or possibly the entire set. It's worth a shot.

Let us know how it turns out.

It's been about 2 days, no answer. I've since put the old A string back on it seems fine. I love ernie balls strings I'm just hesitant if I brought a new pack do you think I would have the same problem due to the bass or is it more likely to be just the string thats problamatic and not the nut or bridge on the bass?

SurferJoe46 · #14 01-19-2011, 03:09 PM

I tried three sets of EBs in a row and all had a dead string. They just seem to die on the shelf.

EB totally igg'd me and I will never say anything nice about them again. They just don't care and that's the way they are.

Right after that episode I went to Elixir Nanos and never looked back - except for the Rotos on my Ps.

ia02 · #15 01-19-2011, 03:14 PM

I have had bad strings before as well. I've seen brand new strings that buzz, intonate poorly and sound dead too. If you put your old string back on and the bass sounds fine I'd ditch the old string and get a replacement.

CElton · #16 01-20-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crozier247

It's been about 2 days, no answer. I've since put the old A string back on it seems fine. I love ernie balls strings I'm just hesitant if I brought a new pack do you think I would have the same problem due to the bass or is it more likely to be just the string thats problamatic and not the nut or bridge on the bass?

Sounds like you may have twisted it while installing it the first time. If all is good, then no worries.