Dead E string

[Nellyuk]

I've got a problem with a 4 string Sterling bass. The E string sounds totally dead compared to the other strings. Have tried 4 new strings on it today, raised action, lowered action, changed saddle, adjusted truss rod, changed pickup height. there is sufficient break angle behind the nut.

Any ideas what the problem could be?

 

[maddog]

take it to a tech or luthier.

best advice I can give in this situation.

hard to diagnose without getting any hands on it.

 

[strummer]

it was simply caused by an untapered string.

Sorry boss, not possible. I won't argue that you may have had a problem with a string, but it cartainly was not because of the untaperedness of the string.

 

[strummer]

Yeah, it may have just been the previous string; maybe it was just "bad." All I know is when I changed it, the problem disappeared. And since the change was from untapered to tapered, I thought that maybe that was the reason.

I hear you, totally, I just thought it was important to separate what you experienced from what caused the problem.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Has anyone suggested that the right honourable friend should contact the higly efficient Customer Service yet?

 

[Big Poppa]

this is a customer service thread and please to keep me in a good mood dont use my bandwidth to encourage the purchase of a different brand of strings!!!! thanks

 

[Bloodfist]

This may be a long shot, but I've experienced this a couple of times with my sting ray. When I got it, the E string would go dead quick. I've been a long time user of the EB hybrid strings, and never encountered this as much so I ruled out the strings. Thats not to say that the E string wasn't weak when I bought them, but highly unlikely since it happened 3 packs of strings in a row. I had t set up my bass, and it took my about a week to get it to my liking. During this time, I paid attention to everything I was doing differently with my Ray compared to my other basses. Then it dawned on me, I had been keeping it in it's case instead of hanging it on the wall along my other basses. I changed the strings and started hanging it. I did a little research and found that NEW cases can have chemicals on the cloth inside that can stick to your strings and cause them to go dead. I started wiping off the inside of my case where the strings touch with a damp cloth every other day, and allowing it to dry. Since then it hasn't happened again. Another problem might be with you as it is with me. When playing live, I really like to dig into my E string to give it a Growl/Clank sound. Unfortunately my E strings life doesn't last very long because of this. Also, to prevent my strings from getting anything on them that will speed up the deadening of them, I wash my hands before I touch the bass and wipe down the strings with a dry microfiber cloth before and after I play it. I only use string cleaner after a show that I have sweated me @$$ off on. Try it and let me know how it works for you.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Rule of thumb (damn I hate saying thumb, I miss mine), anyways...

One must always keep the pickup away from the low E side as possible and closer on the G string side. The farther away it is the better the pickup will respond to the natural string vibrations or oscillation if you wish. Try different pickup height settings and "hear" the difference. Do this with a fresh set of strings of course.

Good luck

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Press the string downwards... just forward of the saddle (in direction of neck). My guess is that your string is not seated correctly on the saddle.