Im having sound problems with my Squire Jazz bass

BMH26 · #1 02-05-2011, 06:39 PM

I have a $300 Squire jazz bass. When I play the E string it sounds more muffled and deeper than the other strings. I think the neck bridge is too tight on the string but im not sure and I dont want to mess around with it. I have a rumble amp that came with a Squire bass starter pack, I dont think thats the problem but I fell that should be added. Has anyone had this problem and how do I fix it?

Pilgrim · #2 02-05-2011, 07:55 PM

First, it's Squier, not Squire.

Second, chances are that you need to adjust the pickup height on the E side. The setup info on stickies at the top of this forum will help.

The bridge normally is not a problem. If you have silk windings on the string between the string and bridge, take a blade and trim them off.

C.Linton · #3 02-05-2011, 08:48 PM

Also, I have to ask, did you put new strings on it? If you did, it may be your E string is not mounted properly. Even if they are the stock strings, the E might not be put on properly. By any chance, can you take a pic of the E string tuner and post it here?

BMH26 · #4 02-05-2011, 09:03 PM

I can try to take a picture and post it. But I dont think its the pickups because it does the same thing when I play it unplugged.

C.Linton · #5 02-05-2011, 09:16 PM

That's why I suggested it may be the way the string is mounted on the post. If you can, take pics to show how the E string is mounted on the tuner post, and how close the pickup is to the strings. That might give us a better idea as to what's happening here.
BTW, if your pickup is too close to the string it can affect the string even if it's not amplified. If the pickup is too close, the pull from the pickup's magnet can intefere with the vibration of the string, amplified or not.

BMH26 · #6 02-05-2011, 09:24 PM

The pictures probably wont be up till tomorrow but thank you for your help.

spigmu · #7 02-06-2011, 07:45 PM

Not discounting what others have suggested, but are you judging this through the Rumble's speaker? I would definitely not use the that to troubleshoot the issue, though you have a good starting point. First, if you have decent headphones (not earbuds) use the headphone output of the Rumble just to take the 8" speaker out of the equation. Still there? If you can, record it direct, without the amp, into whatever else you have available (computer input, mini-recorder, etc) Doesn't matter if it's not a good recording. It's just to hear the bass with no other factors to see if you still hear/feel the problem. You don't want to be going crazy on your bass if it's not the bass ; ) Take it to a music store and check it out through a different (and beefier, with at least a 12") amp.

Pilgrim · #8 02-06-2011, 08:50 PM

Not a bad point - try it through some other amps, all of them set as flat (no EQ emphasis of any kind) as possible. See what you think after that.