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muddy tone, can't seem to dial it out, help?

M

mplsgetscold

Jul 9, 2012
35
0
#1
i just bought a back up bass, just a cheap squier jazz bass in case something bad happens to my primary.

anyway, my E string is super muddy for some reason. my other 3 strings have great tone and come through nice and clear with with just enough subs that you can hear the note and feel it.

but my gorram E string sounds like my cab is laying facedown on the floor.

i've adjusted all the eq on settings on my amp, tried a different mix of the pickups, tried dialing in the eq on my pedal line differently; i've more or less tried everything i can without adding an eq pedal or something along those lines.

any suggestions???
 
#5
definitely not the strings. i changed out the stock strings immediately, just put on a pretty standard set of d'addario xl strings. 45-105

probably the pick ups. i have yet to set it up. i've just played it at a few practice sessions.
 
#10
yep, played it in guitar center and then ordered it from musiciansfriend. plays fast and smooth and sounds good unplugged, both the one i played at GC and the one i bought from MF.

it's just plugged in, that stupid E string is giving me issues. i'm gonna set it up here in the next week or so. here's hoping that's all it needs and there isn't anything seedier happening.
 
#11
mplsgetscold said:
definitely not the strings. i changed out the stock strings immediately, just put on a pretty standard set of d'addario xl strings. 45-105

probably the pick ups. i have yet to set it up. i've just played it at a few practice sessions.
Click to expand...

could your E string be twisted? try taking it off. if when you lay it flat against the fretboard, the twist should line up to the peg. if it lies off to the side, or spins around completely, reseat it at the bridge and tighten it back up.
 
#15
It really sounds like a dead string, not too uncommon to come across 1 or 2 in a brand new pack. DR brand strings generally give me bad luck with a dead string every 4th pack or so. Daddarios have a dud maybe once every 10.

But check the pickup height at the E string just to be sure and follow the string closely from the bridge to the neck. Loosen the string all the way first so you can rotate the ball nut freely on the bridge.
 
#17
Each and everyone of us would replace the string or whatever,
that's fine

But if unplugged the bass (so the strings) feels straight, chances are the problem is below E string magnets in the pickup...

Those can eventually be defective

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#18
it sounds great unplugged. i just ordered a gotoh 201 bridge so i'm gonna install it and take it to my LMS for a set up. they do really good set ups for cheap. if it still sounds muddy after that, i've got plans for some dimarzio model j's in the future so i guess i'll just buy them sooner rather than later. i'll update as i learn more and change some things.

thanks!
 

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