Strange........

[bossrhino44]

I recently made the switch to flats on my P bass! Went from hybrid slinkys to roto 77 LD. Wow did i have to move the bridge saddles forward a mile!(was flat on all strings) Is this normal? Used the same gauge .045-.105. Really like the feel and tone of them though, but another problem...... The open E string sounds really funky! Not clear at all, almost like an overtone thing. I did lower the pickup, didnt help. Also, i noticed that the silk and winding was a little longer on the E string and the winding seemed to be contacting the saddle. I trimmed the silk back, then trimmed the winding back some so it wasnt contacting the saddle and still sounds like ass! Any ideas guys? Thx

 

[deliciouspesto]

how is the neck?

 

[bossrhino44]

neck is fine, had to tighten the truss rod a hair. very little relief. it plays nicely!

 

[MIJ-VI]

Large intonation adjustments to accommodate a different string type? Normal.

To me the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] flats sound like roundwounds with a flat outer wrap. The ones I've used in the past sounded good & balanced across all four strings though.

Perhaps your E string is buzzing on the other side of the nut?

Does it buzz on all the notes?

 

[bossrhino44]

Only open, but i wouldn't call it a buzz. Ty

 

[bossrhino44]

wow, thought i would get some answers here guys! thx anyway

 

[MIJ-VI]

Only open, but i wouldn't call it a buzz. Ty

Hi bossrhino44.

Only when played open? Then try holding the string length between the nut and tuning machine to hear if the noise goes away (please do this for the other strings as well).

If it does, then the the string may have insufficient downward pressure in the nut slot. If this turns out to be the case, please make sure that the string is wound down to, and coming off the bottom of the tuning machine's capstan.

If holding the string length between the nut and tuning machine dosen't stop the noise, then de-tune the string a half step and test for the noise (you may have to do this a few times).

If the noise persists, then the string may be bad (or buzzing/rattling at the bridge).

If the noise stops, then something on your bass is resonating in sympathy with the initial played note (pick-guard, wires, brass sheilding plates, loose pots or output jack etc).

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My MIJ Fender VI was making weird noises on certain notes which for months I was convinced were coming from the truss rod or somewhere on the body.

It turned out to be sympathetic vibration from the string lengths between the string tree and tuner capstans.

Solid body basses are surprisingly resonant instruments which makes troubleshooting unwanted artifacts exasperating.

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If you can't find and remedy the noise source, can you post an audio clip so that we could hear it?

Thank you.

Gary

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EDIT:

Whenever I've installed new bass strings, the thick, stiff E string tends to arch through the nut slightly (due in part to the shallow break angle) instead of exiting cleanly from the bottom of its slot.

Eventually, the tension of the E string being tuned to pitch would straighten it out.

However, being somewhat impatient, I choose to accelerate this straightening out process by gripping the string on either side of the nut and pressing down gently but firmly a few times.

If the E on your bass isn't exiting its nut slot cleanly, then this could be the source of the noise that you're hearing only when the E string is played open.

 

[bossrhino44]

TYVM Gary! I will try that.

 

[bossrhino44]

Gary, It was the break angle over the nut! pressed firmly a few times and all is good now! I cant believe i did'nt think of this. Thanks again for your help!

 

[MIJ-VI]

BOOM!!!
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