My E string does not sound the same as my other strings

[spectorj]

Ok, I just got a 2010 fender jazz deluxe. I just strung it up with new strings and they sound great except the E string. I tried another brand new E string and got the same results-it just doesn't ring out with the same clarity as my other string. I have been playing for 49 years now and have not experienced this before. Any suggestions Talkbass?

 

[SgtHulka]

If there is such a thing as a bad string, maybe you have one?

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Was the old E string uneven?

 

[RickBlair]

If 2 strings do the same thing I wouldn't suspect the strings. Some other things to check would be a crack in the nut, try tightening the neck bolts, and check the saddle height on the E string. Maybe a good setup is all that it needs.

Rick B.

 

[JKos]

Did the E string it arrived with sound like the other strings?

 

[lug]

Sound balance-wise, I've had more trouble with E strings than any other. I'd still try a new set from a different maker before doing anything else.

 

[lowendblues]

Yep. I've experienced bad E strings from time to time.

 

[legalbass]

Sounds like an active bass; are the batteries fresh?

Is/are the pickup(s) adjusted too high or too low on the E-string side?

 

[jd56hawk]

Had that problem once.
Adjusted the pole pieces.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Strung thru body or bridge?

Riis

 

[dkelley]

Ok, I just got a 2010 fender jazz deluxe. I just strung it up with new strings and they sound great except the E string. I tried another brand new E string and got the same results-it just doesn't ring out with the same clarity as my other string. I have been playing for 49 years now and have not experienced this before. Any suggestions Talkbass?

49 years without experiencing this? You, sir, have been very lucky!

Happens to me far too often, although moreso with low B strings, but sometimes with an E too. D'addario in particular has caused me grief, although they stand behind their product well. Just a real inconvenience... and I happen to really like D'addario strings otherwise.

 

[dkelley]

And yes, absolutely check the bridge saddle under the E string. Sometimes a subtle half turn of one or the other saddle-height-screws can solve a problem where one of the feet (screws) isn't just quite perfectly seated. And the nut... could be badly cut or worn in the E string slot, allowing the vibrating part of the string to rub against the edges or bottom of the slot, rather than having the playing-edge of the nut slot be the firm pivot point that the string rests upon.

This is all assuming the string is ok, and also assuming there isn't some weird but unfortunate thing going on with the resonances of the instrument itself. I think the bass itself being the cause (in a "just how this piece of wood is" kinda way) is pretty unlikely though.

 

[Matty Koff]

before you start winding the tuning peg grip the string and slide your fingers towards the bridge and push it a little through the bridge or body to where the string kind of backs out a little bit.

What you're doing is making sure the string isn't twisted. For strings you've already wrapped down the pegs, just loosen them while pulling the string to keep it tight around the tuning peg and use the other hand to push the string out of the bridge or body to correct any kind of twist.

If you're sure the string isn't twisted..make sure the Nut slot is snug, make sure your strings are wrapped down the tuning peg so the string is pulled down over the nut at an angle as well as setting the witness points by pushing down the string on the headstock side of the nut and both sides of the string's bridge saddle.

Also check the distance between your pickup poles and the E string.

As well as the other suggestions here.

 

[MCS4]

Is/are the pickup(s) adjusted too high or too low on the E-string side?

I would check this first, particularly if the action might be running a bit higher on the E side.

 

[SLPimp]

Correct, the pitch is lower.

 

[bbh]

Have had bad strings but I suggest a pro setup. That should solve it.

 

[Guzzi Toad]

At the expense of seemingly ignoring the Low-B folks ...
Why oh why is it always the E-string?

Similar issues here with the addition of difficulty getting my E to intonate.
I've decided it's probably a poorly cut nut.

 

[oldjohn1951]

If you read the Rotosound history portion of their website, John Entwistle of The Who constantly complained about dead-sounding E and A strings. He went to Rotosound and they discovered the cores of those particular strings were not beefy enough to carry the sound he was after properly. The solution was to bang up the string gauge and the string cores so the E and A strings were now able carry the sound the way Entwistle intended. Why not try that?

 

[Pings Bass]

Correct, the pitch is lower.

I've noticed the same. In fact it's a full fourth lower. I've decided to live with it.

 

[Yahboy]

I suspect it Is bass problem more than bad E string .
Been experience same issue on my friend mim std P. After string swap, pickups swap and bridge swap plus full setup the problem still can't solve.

Suggest sell the bass or give it a final test on neck swap . ...