Dead E string. Please help!

[Jpurpura]

I have a 2007 HWY 1 jazz that has a dead E string. I have changed the strings and it is still dead. It is less noticable due to the zingy sound of the new strings but its still is not alive like the rest of the strings. I tried to file the slot on the bridge (BA2) so the string would fit into the notch on the saddle which looked to small but it still sounds dead to me. What options am I left with here? A new bridge? Neck adjustment? I am at a dead end here.

Thanks for the help.

 

[tdub0199]

is the E string touching the fretboard at all without being fretted with your hand?

 

[Jpurpura]

It does not look to be touching any frets without my help. It sounds like if you got a dead string in a new pack.

 

[audiomitch]

A couple of ideas:

1. Try raising the action.

2. Try lowering or raising the pickup.

3. Try winding the string lower on the tuning machine to get more pressure on the nut.

4. Try a different E string.

I'd eliminate all the easy stuff before spending $$$ on new parts. Hope it helps.

 

[mmbongo]

Did this just all of a sudden happen, or is this a new purchase?

I went through a few high end 'top brand name' USA made basses a few years back that just had totally dead E strings. I tried EVERYTHING to fix it because I loved everything else about both of them..but alas, they were just not resonant at that frequency so I just had to dump them off.

 

[Jpurpura]

Thanks for the ideas. I have tried just about everything. I dont like the BA2 so I think I will change that. I love this bass. I like the neck and the bass sounds great exept for the E string. I have a Fender parts bass that the E string is the best one on it. It sounds fantastic but the rest of them are not as good. I wish I could combine them and have the best of the 2 basses in one. I dont want to dump this bass yet.

 

[Jpurpura]

No I got this bass about a year ago. I did not notice it at first. I started to notice it and thought it was the strings. I changed them 3 times and found out that it did not fix it. Now every time I play it I cant keep my mind off this problem.

 

[Wovoka77]

I feel your pain and am pouring through the internet to find solutions to the same problem. I have a custom Warmoth 51' P-bass copy that I spent a good deal of money. It's been sprayed with nitro, has a duncan antiquity pickup, and a custom pickguard made as well. It's got a great powerful sound and tone on all strings accept the low E string. The fundamental is just not there and I've tried all the obvious solutions as well. I changed the strings, messed with the pickup height, tightened the bridge, etc.
No fix.
Something is just not resonating well in the neck or body on that E string side. It's a good neck too. beefy and graphite reinforced. The body doesn't seem too heavy either.
I was wondering if routing out some wood underneath the pickguard would alter anything.
I know, it's kind of a sketchy experiment, but I'm willing to try it if someone thinks it might work.
I used to have a 72 Jazz that had an amazing E string and I miss it that feeling of digging in and getting those huge low notes.

 

[tdub0199]

Make sure the string is winding downward and not upward on the tuning peg, winding it downwards on the tuning peg should fix your issue....