Boomy E-string

EricT43 · #1 03-13-2011, 11:47 AM

I got a Yamaha TRBJP recently, and have been playing that pretty much exclusively since then.

Now I have a gig with a classic rock band, so I decided to get out my Jazz Bass Plus again to see if that would work out better. Playing it again, I notice that the E-string really jumps out compared to the other strings. It almost sounds boomy. One of the things I really like about the TRB is how even in volume all of the strings are all over the fretboard, and I would like the Jazz to be the same way.

One major (?) difference between the two is that the Jazz has a .105 E while the TRB has a .100.

My question is what is the best way to correct this? Would changing to a string set with a .100 E do the trick, or would I need to lower the pickups on the low side, or some combination of the two?

BagelBruin · #2 03-13-2011, 11:54 AM

I would lower the pickup. Also, how old are the strings on the Jazz?

mccartneyman · #3 03-13-2011, 12:12 PM

Lower the PUP, but before that try EQing differently. My Lakland is substantially more ballsy on the E than my other basses, but I can usually get them lose by Re-EQing.

Testing_123 · #4 03-13-2011, 12:13 PM

This may sound strange, but make sure your bass's bridge plate is making solid contact with the body from E side all the way across to G side.

I had the same problem you described on my J-bass. Was clued into the the bridge issue by a different TB thread, and realized that my bridge was s l i g h t l y raised up off the body towards the G side by the ground wire underneath it -- I couldn't see the gap, but discovered I could slide a thin piece of paper under the G side corner of the plate, while there was no gap on the E side. Result: E boomed, everything else sounded a bit dull in comparison.

I pulled off the bridge and redirected the ground wire; the reinstalled bridge plate made firm contact across the full width. Balanced string volume nicely.

RadioMasterDude · #5 03-13-2011, 12:13 PM

Adjust your pickups.

EricT43 · #6 03-13-2011, 12:19 PM

The strings are only a couple of months old, just playing at home. I will try lowering the pickups on the E-side, and check the bridge.

darkstorm · #7 03-13-2011, 06:42 PM

If pole peices are adjustable, slightly raise the pole peices for thats string and lower that side of the pup. Raising pole peices ussually addsa little more difinition and treble which can ofset muddyness. Otherwise just lower that side of the pup a good half to full turn of the screw. And go from there.