No one can help me....why does my low E string have very little top end? It's not a dud string.

It sounds like the 5th string, not necessarily an E doesn't sound correct? Does it sound the same when you play without amplification? Is it always one or a few notes? Is it always certain frets across string tunings? Is there rattle? Is the sustain okay, but it lacks overtones? Is the sustain decreased?

It could be any part of the bass, the nut slot, the bridge, the tuners, the frets could have a high place, the pickups could be ineffective in that location, a dead spot in the neck, etc. As of right now, it reads like the only thing you have troubleshot is the strings. Since different strings and tunings give the same result it is probably not the strings.

Interested to see what someone more expert than me thinks.

 

Pickups too high

 

Got a local luthier? I'd take it to him and get another set of eyes/ears on it because it is difficult to diagnose online.

 

Try a lighter gauge. This changed everything for me.

 

Try re-stringing thru bridge, not body, and re-set your witness points. E & B strings are particularly resistant to bending.

Riis

 

Copying my recent post here from a different thread, FYI. Perhaps the fact that the lower string is cut shortest is why the following may be happening to you: "I just had this problem on a new set of D'Addario Prosteels. I learned from Scott's Bass Lessons on Youtube that one should make the sharp right-angle bend where the string goes into the top of the tuner BEFORE cutting the string, or it can go dead. I've been playing for 31 years, and embarrassed to say I've NEVER heard this before! I've always cut them before making the bend! Can't explain why only the E went dead; maybe it's just more prone to the problem than the other strings due to thickness/extra winds. Hope this helps someone...super curious to hear if anyone else out there already knew this or finds it solves their problem!"

 

https://www.drstrings.com/proper-string-installation

 

Are you saying that there is only one screw left (fender vintage style uses 4 screws) or that there was only one screw to begin with?
Basically, what I'm asking is do they look similar to this:

or this?:

 

Well there you go, thanks for that! Although in my case they were hex-core strings, but better safe than sorry.

 

Check your pick up height. Could be a pole is to high/low as well. And is the string between the poles and not off the left/ right. And is it sitting in the nut correctly? Could be the nut isn't cut deep enough or too deep. Take it in for a set up. A unbiased set of ears could help as well. Good luck to ya.

 

What hole, you mean the slot (Gotoh)? Equivalent is making bend after placing in slot, BEFORE cutting.

 

I have a 1992 Jazz Plus V. Similar issue, same Gotoh tuners all 5 inline. Two string trees, plastic or some sort of composite. Gotoh Bridge. B string is kinda dull, not that defined. It has been that way since I bought it new in 1993, and is still that way today. Many different brands of strings over the years, few different gauges. Got the best B string from a set of fender branded strings. 45-65-80-100-125. Lace sensors on the bass so its not a magnetism thing. I chalk it up to Fender being in its infancy with the 5 string basses. I think the string through option on your model was an attempt at a remedy, and then going to the 4/1 tuner arrangement.