Seemingly unfixable anemic, unfocused E string on Mustang bass

[DuluthDank]

The E string on my Mustang sounds unfocused, slightly quieter, and a bit wavy/chorusy. I have the pickup height set to Fender specs, the curve of the neck is fine, the string height is set to Fender specs. I tried two different E strings (one flat wound, one round wound) and the problem persists.

It sounds similar to the magnetic interference you get when your pickup is set too high while playing in the upper register....only the pickup isn't set too high, and it still happens in the lower register. It even happens with the open E string.

I still have the bass in a return window, so I'm probably going to return it. But does anybody have any idea what the issue might be? I'm a little bummed out because i got this for well below what it's normally worth as a used instrument.

 

[Turnaround]

One of the reasons that Leo Fender settled on a 34” scale for his basses was that it gave better definition in the lower notes than shorter scales. The Mustang bass premiered after Leo sold the business to CBS. Co-incidence? I doubt it.

 

[ThomasTronics]

Was just having this conversation the other day.
Leo hit it right with 34".
I've played 35", 30" even 28.5".
On my short scale i went through about 5 sets of short scale sets. Never tried flats, wasn't into it at the time.
I eventually found that GHS Balanced pressure wounds sound great, on this bass. 46-106. I could never get comfy with small gauge strings. I did make sure to pay a lot of attention to my break point on the bridge and getting 3 health windings at the tuner. Tuned and the E was very much clear and deep. These string have been on the bass for a few years and still sound tight.

 

[Razman]

My friend has one and it’s a great sounding bass. Sorry this one isn’t working out for you. I’d return it. Wait for another.


Basically, that’s the long way to say “you need another bass”

 

[96tbird]

If it’s having the chorusy effect of pickups that are too high, it’s likely the pickups are too high. Regardless of what the specs say. Specs aren’t gospel. They’re a typical starting point. Each instrument will require some tweaking.

 

[vaesto]

Apart from the pickup being too close to the strings it also could be faulty or twisted string. Try reintalling it, make sure to set correct witness points.

 

[sunbeast]

Could be a combination of factors-

As others have mentioned, a short-scale bass behaves different when tuned to the same pitch as a long-scale and with similar strings. Low strings in particular suffer with a loss of definition on many short-scales due to the physics of tension, stiffness and pickup mechanics. What specific strings have you used?

A Mustang that strings through the body can make it quite easy to twist a string during installation since it is difficult to slack out any twisting you cause once the string is anchored by being wedged into the through-body joint (a top loaded bridge can avoid this since the string doesn't bind at the bridge end until the string is nearly tightened). This can result in a chorusing sound, and again often is most commonly done on low strings. Try taking the E string off the tuning peg and pushing the ball-end out the back of the body and restringing with a focus on not twisting the string between the tuner and bridge while retightening.

After trying the above, also make sure there is a strong "witness point" where the E string goes over the saddle, easiest to firmly press the string down right in front of the saddle to ensure that the contact point is solid. Also ensure that the E string saddle isn't slanted on its height screws.

Ignore the Fender pickup height specs, and play around with different heights to see if there is any change in response. String construction, specific pickup, setup, etc will all change how the pickup reacts.

If its an older bass, its possible the magnet polepiece for the E string has become partially degaussed. Also make sure the neck alignment puts the E string roughly over its single polepiece (on a Fender bolt-on it is often relatively easy to shift the neck in the body joint to realign its angle for better or worse)

 

[Riff Ranger]

If it’s having the chorusy effect of pickups that are too high, it’s likely the pickups are too high. Regardless of what the specs say. Specs aren’t gospel. They’re a typical starting point. Each instrument will require some tweaking.

Apart from the pickup being too close to the strings it also could be faulty or twisted string. Try reintalling it, make sure to set correct witness points.

Could be a combination of factors-

As others have mentioned, a short-scale bass behaves different when tuned to the same pitch as a long-scale and with similar strings. Low strings in particular suffer with a loss of definition on many short-scales due to the physics of tension, stiffness and pickup mechanics. What specific strings have you used?

A Mustang that strings through the body can make it quite easy to twist a string during installation since it is difficult to slack out any twisting you cause once the string is anchored by being wedged into the through-body joint (a top loaded bridge can avoid this since the string doesn't bind at the bridge end until the string is nearly tightened). This can result in a chorusing sound, and again often is most commonly done on low strings. Try taking the E string off the tuning peg and pushing the ball-end out the back of the body and restringing with a focus on not twisting the string between the tuner and bridge while retightening.

After trying the above, also make sure there is a strong "witness point" where the E string goes over the saddle, easiest to firmly press the string down right in front of the saddle to ensure that the contact point is solid. Also ensure that the E string saddle isn't slanted on its height screws.

Ignore the Fender pickup height specs, and play around with different heights to see if there is any change in response. String construction, specific pickup, setup, etc will all change how the pickup reacts.

All of this. I strongly suspected a twisted string as soon as I read “chorus” in the original post. Fortunately, it’s an easy and inexpensive fix in that case.