E string sounds out of tune (chorus-y effect)

[Herrlster]

I got a PJ bass and I noticed that the E string doesn't sound like its quite in tune. I tune up all my strings with my tuner and the tuner says they're all in tune. But when I play the open E and fret the E on the A string or D string, I can hear a "wavey" sound, indicating that the E string is out of tune.

I checked with my tuner and if I just pluck the E string, the tuner will go back and forth from E to a cent flat.

I don't excessively press down on the frets or anything, I play normally.

I've properly intonated the bass, FYI.

What could the problem be? The nut? The strings?

[GeoffByrne]

First thing to try is to see if the string is twisted.

Loosen it off & see if the nut end of the string (at the bridge) want to rotate one way or the other. A twisted string often produces a 'phasey' effect.

[Widdershins]

Originally Posted by Herrlster

When I play the open E and fret the E on the A string or D string, I can hear a "wavey" sound, indicating that the E string is out of tune.

What I quoted is a bit confusing to me. Are you literally doing what you typed or do you mean "When I play E on either of these 3 strings".

Either way, the problem is sympathetic vibration. If you are doing what you typed, then that is to be expected & the waviness is you hearing the beats due to minor imperfections in your intonation.

If you meant "When I play E on either of these 3 strings" then something on the bass is vibrating. My first step in trying to isolate the problem would be mute the E string so it can't vibrate. Do you still hear it?

[sonicvi]

If you play the open E and fret the other strings wouldn't that indicate that it's the other strings that are out of tune? Have you checked your intonation?

[TeleTubby]

You can try lowering the E side of the pickup away from the string just a bit- sometimes, if too close, the magnets can play havoc with the natural vibration of the string. Hope this helps, and mostly hope the problem is soon solved!

[Robybass]

Check all of the posters said, and if nothing work, change the string.
It could have been overstretched or worned out.

[bikeplate]

HI

Chances are your pickup height is too high. Need to lower it away from the string. Prolly the reason for the "warble"

Rob