A Most Bizarre E String Issue --- HELP!!!

change your strings.

 

could be strings...

but I had the same problem, took me weeks to figure it out: neck was to straight, in combination with the action being to low... every string sounded awesome and great, except the E string, changed the setup just a slight bit: E string is great again...

 

This happened to me, although I think it was the A string. The remedy's probably the same though. I screwed the damper on the bridge (the thing with the foam underneath the strings) down as far as it would go. Even though it wasn't touching the strings before, this cured the problem.

I don't know why it worked. Possibly it was absorbing energy when it was floating, while when it was screwed tightly to the bass it became part of it and couldn't suck energy from the strings. It's a pretty cheap thing to try, whatever!

 

I think I have to agree that a set up is due

 

First I would check the obvious as other TBers mentioned

String
Bridge saddle
Nut

 

I just logged in to post about the same problem.
Early Peavey Foundation. 2 Super Ferrite pickups. Bought it a week ago. Dirty, ugly and nasty. Cleaned it, adjusted the neck, ( could have shot a deer with the amount of bow in it), put new strings on it.
The open E string is hollow. Empty. Lifeless. No boom at all. Fretted F is just as bad. F# is much fuller sounding. Fretted G is great. Anywhere further on the neck sounds fine. All other strings are fine.
Weird. I will look at the setup and see how it differes from the other strings.

Any other suggestions?


Ken R

 

If strings don't work, it could be the bridge. Check to make sure everything is cool down there.