• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why is my E string quiet??

D

dixie1983

Jul 12, 2009
55
1
england
www.jokeronline.co.uk
#1
Hi all, I usually use active basses but recently bought a Fender Jazz (passive), the problem is that the E string is noticeably quieter than the rest and in live instances just doesnt cut it! I have tried putting a DBX266XL compressor first in the chain and its still the same!! Would it be a case of just finding a good compressor? Or has anyone else had a similar issue? I'm not saying its like it because its passive, just seems odd lol.

Thanks in advance
 
#2
dixie1983 said:
Hi all, I usually use active basses but recently bought a Fender Jazz (passive), the problem is that the E string is noticeably quieter than the rest and in live instances just doesnt cut it! I have tried putting a DBX266XL compressor first in the chain and its still the same!! Would it be a case of just finding a good compressor? Or has anyone else had a similar issue? I'm not saying its like it because its passive, just seems odd lol.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I know it is a stupid question but have you tried foam under the pup raising the pole pieces closer to the E string?
 
#7
First check the pickup height & bridge setup
Click to expand...
It's not unusual for the E string to lack some of the fundamental tone that you'd find on the A string. Why, exactly, I think is a combination of factors. Definitely, make an adjustment to boost the E string side of your pickup closer to the string (probably the biggest improvement). Making sure the E string is not too high off the fretboard helps in the same way. Adjusting your EQ so the lowest frequency gets a boost will help too (open E string is 40-42hz). Bad (dead) E strings are another culprit. But make sure your E string is intonated correctly before you decide it's the string's fault. Bad intonation can make a good string sound bad.
 
#8
I would say if you are having level issues that turning to a compressor is putting the cart before the horse....first get the best sound naturally out of your axe before trying to "fix it in the mix."

I've noticed that making sure the tension rod in the neck is properly adjusted has a lot to do with a bass's sound as well....not only does the rod counteract the tendency for the neck to bow under pressure from the stings but it seems at a certain point that when those forces are countered that the whole instrument "sings" better....
 
#9
Rafael said:
I would say if you are having level issues that turning to a compressor is putting the cart before the horse....first get the best sound naturally out of your axe before trying to "fix it in the mix."

I've noticed that making sure the tension rod in the neck is properly adjusted has a lot to do with a bass's sound as well....not only does the rod counteract the tendency for the neck to bow under pressure from the stings but it seems at a certain point that when those forces are countered that the whole instrument "sings" better....
Click to expand...

Yea... Check the truss rod too..

(Truss rod, bridge, pickup height and 'good' strings)

I agree not to rely on compressor (or EQ) to fix this problem.
 
#10
String spacing & left/right position over the pole pieces can affect this too & if you have an adjustable bridge you could tweak it. If your string spacing is set really wide and the E string is closer to the edge of the fingerboard, it's possible the string is hovering over the edge of the magnet. (As the string swings back & forth in one direction it's moving away from the magnetic field.) Moving the string a millimeter or two back towards the center could fix it.

Check the G string distance from the edge of the fingerboard & see if it matches the E string. You might even be able to keep the same string spacing by moving all the strings if all the strings seem slightly towards the E string side.
 
#11
Thanks for all the reply's, to be honest I did think that it would probably be a set-up issue with pick-up height etc, but just thought it should be fine as it came straight from fender. As a reply to 'low sound love' I use a Marshall VBA400 with a slight mid and treb boost (the amp seems to be best when everything is fairly flat) guitar is pretty well balanced as well with both pickups evenly mixed, and I use GHS Boomers strings. TBH I like it all fairly flat as its the guitar and amp that match really well tone wise, it just lacks that bottom end punch and tone, but I really do think its as you guys are saying that its a set-up issue. I have a bit of the evening left so will have a mess around.

Thanks again for all your help
 
#15
cassius987 said:
On the other hand I have had better success lowering the pickup further away from the other strings. Pickup too close = weird, less musical tone, in my experience.
Click to expand...

+1 I've seen that a few times too.

To the OP - the first thing I would suspect is the strings. It probably came with the Fender factory strings which can be problematic. I've had a couple of brand new Fenders that changing the "new" factory strings made all the difference.
 
#17
KingRazor said:
For instance, if you have a .045 G string, you should have a .110 E string, if not heavier.
Click to expand...

That's too extreme. .105'' is a better fit, not only because it should be closer in the area of tension, but also because it will have fewer wraps over the core. Going too big to compensate for tension will lead to strings with too many wraps, choking overtones and doing more harm than good.
 
#18
cassius987 said:
That's too extreme. .105'' is a better fit, not only because it should be closer in the area of tension, but also because it will have fewer wraps over the core. Going too big to compensate for tension will lead to strings with too many wraps, choking overtones and doing more harm than good.
Click to expand...

A .045 gauge G string will have about 42 pounds of tension.

A .065 gauge D string (the standard size for a D in a .105-.045 set) will have about 51 pounds of tension.

Meanwhile, a .105 E string will only have 40 pounds of tension. Now, that's not too bad compared to a .100 E, which would only have 36 pounds of tension, but, if you go up to 110, you get an E with 46 pounds. Right inbetween the D and G strings.

I prefer my lower strings to have more tension than my high strings, personally.

.110 is not that huge for an E. If you went over .120 that would probably be too much, but .110 isn't that big.

Where did you hear that they use a larger number of wraps on a .110 string than a .105 string? I know Circle K doesn't.
 
#19
KingRazor said:
I recommend to most people to get a nice heavy E string. Most sets have an E string that's too skinny compared to the other strings for the note it's tuned to.

For instance, if you have a .045 G string, you should have a .110 E string, if not heavier.

IMO/IME/YMMV
Click to expand...

Perhaps that's the reason I like my LaBella Jamerson set... Don't know... It' has 110 E....I just love the sound... And the balance
 
#20
KingRazor said:
Where did you hear that they use a larger number of wraps on a .110 string than a .105 string? I know Circle K doesn't.
Click to expand...

It's extremely common practice. The people at CKS can tell you the same thing. They make a very good point of reducing the number of wraps but just look at the back of a package of DR Sunbeams to get an idea what I'm talking about. Bigger string=much more likely to have lots of wraps on it, compared to a smaller one.

You can't quote tension values as absolute to a gauge either. Typically if you're going to go with gauges rounded off to .005'', I say 45-60-80-105 is one of the most consistent gaugings, bar none. A 110 E would probably be a little too tight and choke the harmonics. Circle K may be able to pull it off because they consistently use fewer wraps per string even in large gauges. This is quite an accomplishment.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back