B on my e string is dead

[clmjlg]

So ive noticed that when i play songs and use the A string to play a B the sound coming out of my amp is great. However when i use the E sting to play a B and really up from there to the 12th fret sounds dead. I've been playing a long time but i dont really know much about set up and stuff like that. I feel i should also say that its really not noticable when im playing through a non-tube amp. My ampeg svt-cl is really where i notice the difference in the two notes, im sure being a tube amp has somthing to do with it. Since that is my gigging amp i would love to fix this. Ive wondered if it could be my strings, i use DR black beauties and have never noticed the difference till now so of course i will try to get new strings first before touching the actual bass.

 

[Moose308]

Get ready for the tsunami of replies telling you that your bass should really be strung up with Ernie Ball Slinkies.

To me, it sounds like your current string(s) may just be old. Getting a new set on there is a good start.

PS: I just put a new set of Coated EB Slinkies on my Stingray. Bright, twangy, growly. Very nice.

 

[clmjlg]

Well i understand people have different preferences for strings but i hope this thread doesnt come down to how i need to buy eb strings. I will probably look into them though since its time to for me to try new ones anyway. So any other ideas would be welcome.

 

[projectapollo]

Ive wondered if it could be my strings, i use DR black beauties and have never noticed the difference till now so of course i will try to get new strings first before touching the actual bass.

I use DR Black Beauties to great effect on my Bongo. They work just fine on your MM bass. Even tone across the fretboard. But if they are old, that may be a different story.

On the other hand, I just acquired another Bongo that has some inconsistent levels here and there. It looks like a basic set-up issue to me which I'm working on as we speak (type).

 

[clmjlg]

Well if you find something that works let me know.

 

[rhythmCity944]

LIke mentioned, I would check the set up on the bass first and secondly new strings wouldn't hurt either.

 

[tkarter]

Neck is too flat. put some relief.
tk

 

[Stephen]

clmjlg, did you by any chance just move your gigging rig into, say, your living room? (Emphasis on move). I have noticed something similar with my practice combo in different rooms - my main practice room is "tuned" to F#, it seems, and produces an indifferent but boomy sound when an F# (or G, but less obvious) is played.

Long Story short: Amps react to their environment, and just don't sound right in some.

If this can be ruled out, my bet would be a dying string and maybe the need to look after the setup, in that order. Setup issues should be minor though when everything was fine not long ago.

 

[clmjlg]

As to the movement of my amp: i have used it in the same room for years and the place doesnt effect the sound ever. But that is a good point with amps being and sounds of rooms.

So I think ive gathered that the most likly problem is the adjustment of the neck, so i will look up how to do it correctly after i buy a new set of strings.

 

[Musicman Nut]

So ive noticed that when i play songs and use the A string to play a B the sound coming out of my amp is great. However when i use the E sting to play a B and really up from there to the 12th fret sounds dead. I've been playing a long time but i dont really know much about set up and stuff like that. I feel i should also say that its really not noticable when im playing through a non-tube amp. My ampeg svt-cl is really where i notice the difference in the two notes, im sure being a tube amp has somthing to do with it. Since that is my gigging amp i would love to fix this. Ive wondered if it could be my strings, i use DR black beauties and have never noticed the difference till now so of course i will try to get new strings first before touching the actual bass.

I once had a 59 P Bass that I really Loved but the G Note on the E string was DEAD, that's a Bad note not to use. So this Chinese Guy I knew at a Violin repair shop in Toronto said he could fix it and Man he did. What he did was pulled the neck and cut a piece of Graphite the shape of the heal of the neck pocket and the dead note was gone and you could not even see the shim. It was like a shim that only covered the neck Pocket.

 

[oli@bass]

I once had a 59 P Bass that I really Loved but the G Note on the E string was DEAD, that's a Bad note not to use. So this Chinese Guy I knew at a Violin repair shop in Toronto said he could fix it and Man he did. What he did was pulled the neck and cut a piece of Graphite the shape of the heal of the neck pocket and the dead note was gone and you could not even see the shim. It was like a shim that only covered the neck Pocket.

That's a very interesting piece of information and a completely different approach to (re)moving a dead spot.