I've been playing bass, as an amateur, for a number of years and could perhaps say that I have some experience with gear. Yet there is - or I think that there is - currently an issue with the E string on my Pbass strung with 7250s (45105) nps roundwounds. For some strange reason memory doesn't serve me in that respect, so I just can't remember what the case was with other sets of strings and would want to postpone changing them for the time being. The issue is: past approx. the 9th fret the sound of the E string tends to become a one dimensional thud, like the string has lost its elasticity and ability to vibrate. It stays in pitch but the note sounds like a brick, if I may so put it. It makes sense, of course, given that the string is getting shorter and it's a fat string at that, hence less vibration, hence a duller tone. But how much is too much? Are there some types/brands of roundwound strings where this phenomenon is less pronounced? Am I fixated on a non-issue?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
naive string question
- Thread starter Phaidrus
- Start date
Maybe it's not the strings. Sounds like a dead spot on the FB.
It's not just the 9th fret but gradually all positions past this point, as the string gets shorter.
Last edited:
They're a couple of months old, maybe three, with about 2 hours playing per day. I like them quite a lot for their mids-heavy yet snappy sound, the E string too. It's just that as you go up the neck, from about the 9th fret onward, the E string gets a bit rigid sounding.
Sometimes a string can get twisted when the-stringing, but that usually causes a weird tone from the open string. This is a fretted P bass, right? No fret buzz, just a dead thumps sound?
Yes, it is a fretted 2017 AmPro Pbass. Neck and fretboard are in good order. I suppose it's either the particular E string or the E string of the 7250s in general or I'm just hearing things.
Welcome to Precision Bass. The dead note on the E-string, especially with flats, is a common occurance, due to the string being too thick to continue to resonate in all the partials necessary to provide consistent tone to the rest of the strings as you come up the neck.
Thanks for replying. What I don't quite understand is why this is an issue with Pbasses in particular and how is the issue with the E string affecting the rest of the strings as well. Lastly, is a more flexible string less susceptible to dead notes?
I've noticed certain E strings I've tried on my P bass, flats in particular, had a tendency to sound "boomy" and "bloated" up the neck. But, as far as I understand, that's not what @Phaidrus is talking about; it sounds like the issue is the E string losing its ability to vibrate, resulting in dead thud with no sustain. I've never experienced that on my P bass.
I suppose one could describe what I'm hearing as "boomy" and "bloated". Just checked and I wouldn't say that the E string past the 9th fret, or thereabout, lacks sustain. Yet the entire E string, even when payed open, seems to have somewhat less sustain than the other strings. Also just checked my other Pbass, strung with DR Legend flats, and there seems to be no such issue or in any case much less so.
Last edited:
NPS rounds having been played 2 hrs a day for 3 mths... Is it possible the E string is simply starting to show some wear?
Don't know, to be honest. They sound alright otherwise. I don't sweat and just play at home. Is two to tree months the average service life of a set of nps rounds? Unfortunately I don't remember how the E string behaved when new...
I suppose I will only find out for sure when I change them but they have already been removed once and then put back again, so I wouldn't want to take them off once more before (I'm convinced) they're done.
It's hard to say as it would depend on a lot of things. That said, the Fender 7250s are not exactly known for being long-lasting.
This could be just another factor in premature wear. Rounds in general don't like to be installed, uninstalled and reinstalled.
Perhaps the time is nigh for a fresh set of nps rounds. As mentioned on another thread, considering RC Boomers, Dunlop regular nps, or DR Pure Blues. The latter option somehow worries me as they are too long for a standard Pbass and this AmPro has "fluted" (namely much thinner) tuners, so the thick part of the E string will most probably be doing almost a complete tight turn around the shaft of the tuner.
Are you putting those rounds thru-body? If so, only about 0.25" of the Pure Blues E string would wrap around the post, which shouldn't be a problem with a relatively flexible string like the PB.
Through the bridge, hence my reservation regarding compatibility. I'm also somewhat undecided as to which of the three would be the better option for a 7250s substitute, with a bit more elasticity/pliability. Markbass nps could also be an idea.
Last edited:
That's the reason why I switched to light gauge. Way better sound in the upper register.
Thicker strings, particularly flats, do this. Lighter, brighter strings will do it less. You can get it to ring a bit better with right hand technique, by pulling the string straight up and down, parallel to the string, very precisely. I find thick strings' intonation gets wonky up high, too, so the left hand also has to be precise. It's a drawback of thick strings, but you can practice ways of getting it to sound better up high if that's the string you want.
