Dead E on SR4

[hamder]

Hey

Recently decided to try out EB Super Slinky on my Stringray 4 (after having tried a SR 5 in a musicstore with factory settings ).

The first set I got contained two A strings so I had to go back to the shop to swap the two with the correct A and D sizes. (dont know if they were swapped by shop or factory).

Then after strapping the set on I noticed that the E string did not have the same "ring" as the other strings and as you would expect with brand new strings, it sounded more like a 3 months old string. Went back to the shop with my bass where the clerk agreed with me and gave me a new E string from another package. Unfortunately after strapping this on it was pretty much the same deal, there is no life in that string at all compared to the others, sounds old.......

The scary part is that the excact same happened with the previous set of strings i bought(same shop), Rotosounds where I also had to swap the E which were even more dead compared to the EB, however in that case the swapped string actually sounded brand new as one would expect.

This however raises the question if something could be wrong with my Bass or could I really be this unlucky when buying new strings ?

There are absolutely no visible damage to my bass, bridge, nut or anything else.

The string height over neck and over PU has been adjusted to EB spec.

None of the strings i got from the store had any trace of being wound up before.

I noticed that the E string outher wrappings does not make it all the way up to the tuner, it comes over the nut though, I expect this to be normal ?

Buy another brand, attempt a new set, go back to the shop again (they'll think I'm crazy)....any advice ?

regards
hamder

 

[Rocket Robin]

I've had basses where the odd note might not have full punch, but never a whole string.
IMO, you should have a tech check it out at your LMS. Chances are it's an issue with how you're winding your strings.

 

[hamder]

Robin

Most basses I have had had dead spots, particulary the JB I had where the C on G string was unplayable have to say that my Musicman is very good in this area and have the dead spot more spread on the G string, but barely noticable if at all.

Was thinking about the winding my self but I'm pretty careful when changing strings and try to make the windings as even as possible while at the same time making sure there's enough angle towards the nut, e.g. on the E string have the last winding close to the bottom to give angle.

Besides, the E string is just as dead fretted or unfretted, a fretted note should cancel out winding ?

I use a tuner when changing strings to make sure I don't over-wind, none of these strings has been tuned higher than E.....

thanks
hamder

 

[Bassplyr]

I agreee with Rocket Robin. have a tech check out the set up. It may jsut need a quick adjustment.

 

[hamder]

Went for rehersal today and swapped E strings with a Squier which I had previously fitted with old boiled roto's and that was much better, while the EB stayed dead on the squier as well.

It was the string afterall, that's 3 sets out of 4 with a dead E...
(wonder what the h... the shop is doing to them)

The other 3 EB's sounded great though

hamder