Strange sounding E string on P bass

[recreate.me]

Hey,
I know its says string in the title, but i dont think this is string related because its happened on 3 different sets of strings. I think its bass related....sigh

So the bass is MIM body, Gotoh 201 bridge, and a Mighty Mite neck with just some no name tuners. The strings are mostly D'addario Super brights Prosteel, and its happened with GHS Boomers. 105-45 i think

The bass seems to be fine normally but every so often the E string will change from the constant sound, to almost like a Wah noise, like the note is fluctuating, or ramping up to the E note..

This only occurs when the E is played open, when a note is fretted its far less noticeable.

I should upload the sound, but i dont have my bass amp at home its in the practice space. Its a very distinct sound, a bassist would remember. Its not a steady flux, like a wave, but sounds more the way a bend sounds where its an off note the eventually lands on the open E.

It only happens with that string, none of the others have ever done this. It stays in tune, the intonation is as good as it gets with a Boss tuner, string height is great no fret noise... just all of a sudden i tune up and BAM its there...

Is it possible that the core of the strings are breaking but not unraveling ? or that the string is rubbing on the bridge spring causing it to vibrate strangely ?

I need some help here, its my main show bass i wanna keep it out of the shop.

 

[SurferJoe46]

Maybe just a twisted string? I read that somewhere.

I've also known of that possibility for over 24 hours now. I'm a quick learner.

It's the memory that is suspect at my age.

Say - what was the question again?

 

[Scottgun]

Pickup too close to the string?

 

[recreate.me]

Thanks, i going to check for that twist now, and lower the pickup.. Its not that high really but just in case i guess.... right ? haha

 

[EagleMoon]

Twisted string was my first guess, then maybe bad pickup coil? Is the string going out of tune at all? Could be a slipping tuner.

 

[recreate.me]

Its not going out of tune any more then the rest of the strings.... i took it off and put on a different string and tried to make sure it wasnt twisted, it sounds better... maybe it was a twisted string.. i will buy a new set tomorrow before our show and hope it works out!

thanks

 

[EagleMoon]

Good luck! I can't tell you how many basses I've gotten over the years in trade, or bought outright and the strings were twisted. It's easy to do so you have to be careful when you put them on. Don't just wrap the string around the post, but put the string in the tuner and then hold it straight while you tune the string up to pitch.Make sure the ball end of the string doesn't get caught up in the bridge until the very end.

 

[KeithAlanK]

I cut the E string at the D tuning peg's top, then insert it in the hole.
Like EagleMoon said, turn the tuner to wind it up, don't wrap it around the peg.

If it's still bad, check the nut.
A poorly angled groove can destroy the sound.
Since it mostly happens on open notes, this is my theory.
Also, are you winding the strings top-down, so they end up closer to the wood before heading to the nut?
If a string gets wound from the wood up, there isn't enough downward pressure on the nut.

 

[ehque]

As mentioned above, its either a bad string or the pickup's too high.