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Is this normal?

#22
Phaidrus said:
Due to my OCD I've been upset by the same issue a number of times. All strings gotta run parallel! The problem can be remedied to an extent, or even completely, if one takes care that the last part of the E string to touch the peg (the last few millimetres that are on a tangent to the peg shaft) do tuck under the previous wounds of the string and not on top of them (seen horizontally). If done so, the E string is brought as close as possible to the axis of the peg and runs almost parallel to the rest of the strings. To achieve that, while tuning/tightening the string, when almost done, turn the peg so as to release tension and try push/tuck the last bit of the string to touch the shaft of the peg. Here's a pic of my Pbass freshly strung with La Bella 760FS flats (.105 E string).

View attachment 4549479
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If I understand correctly I believe I'm already doing that. That is if what you're saying is to keep the bass string pushed down at all times so the wraps stack on top. I will of course recheck my winding because of the black ends who knows it may have got caught and I just didn't see it because of bad light. Unfortunately I'm not sure that will cure my weird overtone/harmonic/dull/whatever the heck it is problem
 
#25
paytojt said:
If I understand correctly I believe I'm already doing that. That is if what you're saying is to keep the bass string pushed down at all times so the wraps stack on top. I will of course recheck my winding because of the black ends who knows it may have got caught and I just didn't see it because of bad light. Unfortunately I'm not sure that will cure my weird overtone/harmonic/dull/whatever the heck it is problem
Click to expand...

Yes but not only keep the bass string pushed down at all times but also at the same time keep pushing it inwards, towards the shaft, so the wraps stack on top. Due to pressure/tension of the part of the string already wound on the peg, to manage to push the last bit as close as possible to the shaft, you have to unwound it a bit, to release tension and push inwards, and then tighten to pitch again. Here's a pic of my other Pbass, strung with 45-105 rounds. Did the same trick for best string alignment.

IMG_1855.JPG
 
#28
Phaidrus said:
Yes but not only keep the bass string pushed down at all times but also at the same time keep pushing it inwards, towards the shaft, so the wraps stack on top. Due to pressure/tension of the part of the string already wound on the peg, to manage to push the last bit as close as possible to the shaft, you have to unwound it a bit, to release tension and push inwards, and then tighten to pitch again. Here's a pic of my other Pbass, strung with 45-105 rounds. Did the same trick for best string alignment.

View attachment 4549494
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Yes exactly.
 
#29
Until Fender or other basses where there is a straight peghead adopt a trapeze bar across all strings, you wind up with the weird collection of all those add-on bits you see on these kinds of basses. All you can really do is to make sure you put enough winds on the E or B peg to make sure it's coming off right against the bushing or the bottom of that peg.
 
#30
Is it just me or does it look like the E string is getting a hair closer to the A string and a hair further from the edge of the neck? Like there is something out of alignment at the bridge end of the string (which would be noticeable 34" down the string, and I'm sure the OP would have seen it). I once had a string (flatwound) that I managed to have cross the grooves in the saddle and it did some funny things until I fixed it.
 
#39
paytojt said:
I'm wondering if this is why I've battled with strange overtones and dullness on the low E starting at about the 3rd fret, even after extensive trouble shooting like witness points, pickup height, etc.
View attachment 4549208
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Sounds like you've had this for years so I'm assuming many different E strings and same issue. You might try getting a heavy C clamp and clamping on your headstock and see if it changes the overtone/dullness. Usually Fender necks have a goofy spot on the G string that can be remedied by adding or removing weight from the headstock. I had one with dull spots on the neck and switching to super lightweight tuners cured all the dead spots on that particular bass. Maybe it'll work for you E string.

Also ... I assume you've made truss rod changes over the years? Just mentioning that because it's possible the truss rod is just resonating in a certain way and maybe loosening it up and tightening it back up again might reposition it just enough to stop the issue? Wild shot in the dark but sounds like you've already tried all the obvious answers.
 
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#40
nickpc said:
Is it just me or does it look like the E string is getting a hair closer to the A string and a hair further from the edge of the neck? Like there is something out of alignment at the bridge end of the string (which would be noticeable 34" down the string, and I'm sure the OP would have seen it). I once had a string (flatwound) that I managed to have cross the grooves in the saddle and it did some funny things until I fixed it.
Click to expand...
Hmmm saddles are fine, but wonder if there's a burr or something. Might just get it looked as I've tried soooo many things. Like I said before, it's slightly OCD the harmonic I'm hearing is faint, but noticeable.
 

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