Out of whack E String

Tamochantern · #1 06-16-2009, 11:54 AM

Forgive me if this is already a post but honestly, I didn't know what to type in the search box to check!

I've got a Jazz bass that I pieced together from parts and originally it played like a dream, however, one Sunday in church I noticed that my 2nd fret f# sounded "out of tune". I retuned (with a tuner) in between songs and started the next song. This time G sounded bad. So I went home and grabbed a different bass between services.

So long story short, my E string will be in tune but when i finger a note it usually sharp. Open E will be fine but everything else is out of whack. I'm not much of a setup man, but I got a friend who is to check it out. He said my intonation is fine.

So the point of this rambling post is ...Have any of you experienced anything like this, and if you have, what did you do?

otis_thick · #2 06-16-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamochantern

Forgive me if this is already a post but honestly, I didn't know what to type in the search box to check!

I've got a Jazz bass that I pieced together from parts and originally it played like a dream, however, one Sunday in church I noticed that my 2nd fret f# sounded "out of tune". I retuned (with a tuner) in between songs and started the next song. This time G sounded bad. So I went home and grabbed a different bass between services.

So long story short, my E string will be in tune but when i finger a note it usually sharp. Open E will be fine but everything else is out of whack. I'm not much of a setup man, but I got a friend who is to check it out. He said my intonation is fine.

So the point of this rambling post is ...Have any of you experienced anything like this, and if you have, what did you do?

Check your intonation setup

Tamochantern · #3 06-16-2009, 01:33 PM

Like I said in my post, that was the first thing I thought but it would seem that my intonation is fine. I was worried about neck warp or something.

ByF · #4 06-16-2009, 09:05 PM

If you are worried about neck warp, you can check it by checking the relief on the E and G strings--if they are different you may have a warped neck. Of course, you can just sight along it with your eye behind the headstock on both sides.

How long since you changed your strings? Maybe you've got a dead one.

Ed

Tamochantern · #5 06-17-2009, 08:56 AM

Thanks. Strings have been on since I built the bass in September.

JLS · #6 06-17-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamochantern

Forgive me if this is already a post but honestly, I didn't know what to type in the search box to check!

I've got a Jazz bass that I pieced together from parts and originally it played like a dream, however, one Sunday in church I noticed that my 2nd fret f# sounded "out of tune". I retuned (with a tuner) in between songs and started the next song. This time G sounded bad. So I went home and grabbed a different bass between services.

So long story short, my E string will be in tune but when i finger a note it usually sharp. Open E will be fine but everything else is out of whack. I'm not much of a setup man, but I got a friend who is to check it out. He said my intonation is fine.

So the point of this rambling post is ...Have any of you experienced anything like this, and if you have, what did you do?

Your intonation is NOT, "fine", if your fretted notes aren't in tune. Don't let this "friend" screw up your bass.

testing1two · #7 06-17-2009, 05:41 PM

Let's look at a few possibilities starting with the easiest:

1. Try a different E string and see if the issue persists. Make sure you wind the string using the tuning peg and don't cheat by twisting the string around the post by hand (this can ruin the string causing poor intonation and even a chorusing effect).

2. Check your intonation with a tuner. This is not likely to be the source of your problem but you should verify your intonation is correct. Tune the E string to pitch and then play an E at the 12th fret. It's always best to use the most accurate tuner possible (i.e. strobe tuner) and set the intonation as close to perfect as possible, but for the sake of this discussion, you should get as close as your tuner will allow.

3. Check the height of the neck pickup. If it's too close to the string, intonation issues can result. Again, it's likely not your problem but better to check it and cross it off your list. Here's a link to the Fender setup guide for your reference: http://www.fender.com/support/basses.php

If you have made it this far and the problem is still there, it's time to look at the nut. It is likely that the slot for the E string is not deep enough. If you capo or hold down the 3rd fret, look at the clearance between the string and the 1st and 2nd frets. It should be very minimal. A word of caution: if you cut the slot too deep, you have ruined the nut so have this done by a pro unless you have extensive experience.

Good Luck!

Archangel_Bass · #8 06-17-2009, 06:10 PM

+1 on the last post i found this to be my biggest problem when i started out check your pickup height and string distance from the pickup. if the string is too close to or too far away from the pickup it will sound for lack of a better word "wonky". also since you said you built the bass check that your neck is still properly seated (firm) if none of this or the aforementioned posts help just schuck a bit of cash and get the most experienced technician you can find and ask if you can watch him set it up. you'll learn a butt load especially if you ask questions or ask him to explain what he's doing then the next time you can do it yourself.

Tamochantern · #9 06-18-2009, 02:03 PM

Thanks Archangel and Testing. I'll check all of that out when I get home (at work at the moment) I have a guy that can fix it for me (a pro) if it gets down to ermm "nut cutting". I would just take it to him but his shop is about 90 miles from my house and I'm lazy.

Thanks again.