Dull E string

[tyiu]

Hi,
I've been having this issue with the E string for over a year now.

The whole E string sounds dull, like if it was a Flatwound E string and the others steel strings.
I tried every different string, from flats to steel and nickel and different gauges, no matter what the E string always sounds dull.

I hear the dull sound unplugged too, so its not a eletronic issue.
Also changed my bridge from Gotoh to BadassII but nothing changed.

Any one here experienced this?

[maturanesa]

Yep. I have the same problem in one bass. I believe its because some basses have less tension on E string, so the tone and the attack are duller even if the string have the same output

[JLS]

It's a lousy bass.

Seriously--if it's dead when you play it unplugged, it'll never get any better, amplified.

[lowendgenerator]

I'm currently battling this demon on a bass of mine as well. I was starting to think it might be a poorly cut saddle slot (BAII), but after hearing that you've swapped out bridges and STILL fighting the deadness, I'm starting to re-consider.

How much string do you wrap around your E's tuning post? A shallow angle over the nut could cause trouble. Not a big deal on angled headstocks, but it's the difference between tone and poop on Fender style (flat) headstocks.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

A shallow angle over the nut could cause trouble. Not a big deal on angled headstocks, but it's the difference between tone and poop on Fender style (flat) headstocks.

True, but the shallow headstock angle would be removed from the equation as soon as you press a fret, it would only affect the tone of the open E.

Have you tried a different brand/gauge of E string? What kind of bass is it? Have you taken the bass to a tech for a setup before?

[PDGood]

I wonder if the bridge isn't in the wrong place on the body and the inserts have to be moved too far forward causing a poor angle. That might affect the sustain.

[darkstorm]

Remove the string. Leave the other strings on your bass and tuned up. Examine the nut slot. Perhaps something in it thats not supposed to be there. Examine the bridge saddle for same thing. Run something midly abrasive thru the nut slowly and over the bridge saddle along where string touches it. Restring it. Still dull? Then yup you got a bass that for some reason just cant do decent lower notes. I'm assuming you really do mean the string sounds dull no matter what brand and brand new acoustically. if you just mean when plugged in it could be bad muddy pups syndrome for low notes. The reason to have you examine nut slot and bridge saddle is in case something small is stuck there and is acting like a foam mute on the string.

[tyiu]

darkstorm, i tried what you said, but nope eveything if fine on the nut and bridge, and, yea still dull.

This is something that came slowly over the years, i remember when i first bought the bass everything was fine.

Fender Precision by the way.

[darkstorm]

tyiu...> That sounds like humidity or other weather exposure problem. Used to be fine, got dull over the yrs. Is it solid wood or plywood body? If the latter you will see signs of a line every 1/8 inch or so for the layers in contol cavity or pup routes. This is usually detectable even thru the black matte paint often sprayed inside control cavity. Plywood basses dont stand up as well over the yrs imo as solid wood ones do.

Are their any significant chips or wear on the body? Places where weather extremes in humidy and temp can get inside the body?

You might try over at the lutheirs forum for info on wether or not weather damaged bodys or those not properly taken care of wax wise etc. Can be restored. I can imagine where to much wet or dry air or to much cold or hot got into the body over time. And dulled it sound wise for lower freq's.

Question Id be tempted to ask is wether or not a humidifier or dehumidifier might help restore the bodys sound? Or wether such things over time are more indicative of poorly cured wood and such things?

[tyiu]

yes sometimes the humidity here is high, and 2-3 times a year you can see the walls in the house wet.
The bass is the steve harris signature from japan, the first one.
Its basswood.

[darkstorm]

If your interior walls are getting wet from humidity youve got serious problems house wise and yes you likely have water damaged bass. Imo

[lug]

Make sure the neck screws are well tightened and try a tapercore string if you haven't already.

[tyiu]

Originally Posted by lug

Make sure the neck screws are well tightened and try a tapercore string if you haven't already.

Never tried taper-core strings.
I found these http://www.deanmarkley.com/Strings/Bass/SR2000Ba.shtml

This is one hot string! Taper-wrapping at the bridge allows SR2000 to vibrate easier . . . and longer. SR2000's tone is unbelievable!

Good choice?

[Thundar]

Oh I have been down this road sooooooooooooo many times....I posted almost the exact same topic over a year ago.... start here:

The Great Dead E String phenomenon

And by the way, those Dean Markley SR2000 taper core strings are my favorite strings.