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What are common causes of a weak E string?

Phantasm

Phantasm

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
Sep 16, 2002
710
29
50
New Orleans, LA
www.facebook.com
#1
I have collected quite a few basses over the years and I've noticed that specifically two of them (a MIA Fender Jazz and a Gibson Victory) have weak, unfocused, flabby sound on the E string vs. the A, D and G strings.

While the other strings are focused and tight, the E string just isn't cutting it. I can hear this acoustically too when I play and it makes me tend to favor the A, D and G strings when playing on those basses.

I change my strings frequently and I've tried different brands and gauges to no avail. I did try to search but had trouble finding relevant results.

Any suggestions of tricks, ideas to tighten up the E string?
 
#2
What strings do you use? Are you using the same brand strings on all basses? By their nature (being thicker than the other strings) E's don't vibrate the same. However, I can honestly say that in more than 40 years of playing, I don't think I've ever had an E string that was so far removed from the others that anyone would notice. Using TI Jazz Flats On my Lakland 55-94, the strings are absolutely even in response all the way up the neck. You could of course go with a heavier gauge E, which would improve tension. The book "101 Bass Tips" suggests using PC board spacers on the ball end of the string before putting it through the bridge end to lengthen the string and add tension. Never tried it myself.
 
#6
I'm pretty sure my ADJ suffered from the same problem. Any note on the E string sounded like it wasn't vibrating properly and therefore the note didn't ring out quite right, like it was miffled. The thing that seems to have cured it for me...a badass 3 bridge. I guess there's something to the more mass thing becuase now I can put a new set of rotosounds on it and the E string has no problems at all.
 
#8
I don't get it because there's a huge music community here, and there are really no amp techs or guitar techs.

If your amp breaks here, pretty much you just buy a new one because you know that there won't be anyone who can fix it properly and in a short amount of time.

So anyone out there who's a good amp/guitar tech, you can make a lot of money if you relocate here!
 
#9
One thing I've found makes a huge difference for me at least... especially with larger diameter E or B strings...

Push the string down firmly where it makes it's break over the bridge. I actually do that now to all my strings after I restring a bass, but I've definitely see it make a difference on E and B strings.
 
#10
stflbn said:
One thing I've found makes a huge difference for me at least... especially with larger diameter E or B strings...

Push the string down firmly where it makes it's break over the bridge. I actually do that now to all my strings after I restring a bass, but I've definitely see it make a difference on E and B strings.
Click to expand...

I totally agree on this as well. Makes a huge difference. I suppose the string will eventually bend over and fall into place but it sure helps to help it out.
 
#11
Making sure there's a crisp break at the nut might help - so would making sure that the string is wound on the tuner from the top down, making the break angle as acute as possible.

Also a good idea to make sure the string is fully seated in the nut. If you had a narrow slot for the E and had a large gauge string that was wide enough that it didn't bottom out in the slot, that might affect the sound.
 
#13
There's been a lot of focus on the actual strings here and that can be an issue, but often (unfortunately) it can just be the way the bass responds. The weak E response is a common problem on both electrics and uprights. Sometimes it's only certain "dead spots" -- G or Ab are common problem notes, but F, F# and A can also be problematic.

The reasons for this don't have a simple explanation. Dead spots are often the results of resonant frequencies between the neck and body that cause notes to "cancel". The individual pieces of wood, their weight, their relationship to each other, the finish, etc. can contribute to this. Sometimes the whole lower register can be weak. Individual basses have their own "feng shui" so to speak, some resonate and speak well, some are more choked and problematic. Take a hundred of the same model P or J bass and you'll find a LOT of differences.

This is one reason that it's chancey to buy a bass without actually playing it, it may look good on paper but..... :( Try to always check how a bass responds throughout the whole range before buying it.
 
#15
Huh...

I had the reverse problem when I restrung my black SX Jazz...

The Rotosound 66's are all fantastic as far as sound, but while the A-D-G strings were great, the E boomed like thunder compared to the rest...

So either I have an E string on Steroids, or the other 3 are on crack.....

I solved the issue, for the most part, by dropping the pups on the E side and raising the strings a bit. I will be a changing these strings soon and will prolly go with D'Addario half rounds to retain a good bit of the clang.....

(As an aside -I love my Rotosound 77 flats, but dislike the 66's as far as feel....I'm sure my technique needs the most work, but still...)

Try raising the pup(s) on the E side, or just go get a setup done. In N'orleans there has to be at least one Luthier or tech that can do a good job!
 
#16
I am assuming you have tried heavier string gauges with proper wind-down on the E-string tuner shaft (to make the string seat in the nut and speak clearly), and have tried basic bridge/pickup adjustment. Here are the steps I would take (YMMV):

1. Professional Set-up and fret crowning--be certain to indicate the problem and how you want the action to be set.
2. Replace the nut with a good quality one that is hand filed.
3. BA bridge (luthier installed).
4. Outboard Pre-amp
5. Sell it or new neck.

PS Swap in PUPS from another bass for a test?
 
#17
As mentioned, check the break angle from nut to tuner. If it is'nt sharp enough you may get a "hollow" or weak open string sound. Also check that the string is fully seated in the nut slot.

If your bass has those idiotic tapered tuner posts, some extra wraps around them may help, or maybe even add a string retainer.

Or....maybe you have a neck and body that simply refuse to resonate well together? Good luck.
 
#18
If this is primarily a volume issue than it can be as simple as adjusting the pickup height. If it is a floppy E-string the sugestions about the tension over the nut can be helpful, but as was mentioned if the tuning posts are tapered this can be difficult. This is one reason I have replaced all my tunes with straight post models. I know that the MIM Jazz has them but I'm not sure about the Gibson. If this repair is not successful another possible fix may be to place a shim under the butt end of the neck. This will force you to raise the bridge saddles and may force you to adjust intonation, but the increased angle will tighten up all the strings. You will notice it more on the e string which is what you are hoping for. Be aware, any adjustment is a compromise. It is unlikely you will increase the tension on the E string without increasing it on the others also, so play with it til you get what feels best to you.
 
#20
Phantasm said:
Yep, it's there acoustically. It's more of a flabby sounding problem, the notes are not focused and there seems to be more schluuuuub around the note.
Click to expand...
Time for a good set up w/ a good repairman. At least that way you will find out what is or isn't possible for your bass. I've seen a lot of basses that just weren't anything, come back special after being tweaked the right way. At least you know not to drop in pickups or a preamp. A Badass bridge may indeed help.
 

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