Help! The E string on my MM stingray 5 has suddenly started to phase, any idea why?

[vernthebass]

All other strings are ok and not phasing - I have had the bass from new in 2005.

 

[tbonesullivan]

what do you mean by "phasing"? does it do it on all notes, or only notes on the higher frets? It's possible that the string needs replacement.

Have you made any adjustments to the neck, action, or pickup height lately?

 

[jlepre]

Call ebmm customer service

 

[vernthebass]

what do you mean by "phasing"? does it do it on all notes, or only notes on the higher frets? It's possible that the string needs replacement.

Have you made any adjustments to the neck, action, or pickup height lately?

All other strings are fine, the phasing is extremely clear when played open, but you can hear it all the way up the neck also.

 

[jlepre]

Call ebmm customer service

+1

 

[tbonesullivan]

All other strings are fine, the phasing is extremely clear when played open, but you can hear it all the way up the neck also.

When is the last time you replaced the strings? For it to effect only one string all the way up would usually indicate that it is a problem with the bridge, the pickup being too close, or the string itself having an issue. How high is your action on the E?

 

[vernthebass]

Thanks for your help Tbone, the strings were last replaced about six weeks ago and the bass has been gigged several times since and played almost every day, the phasing has started suddenly for no apparant reason. it sounds like a chorus pedal but only on the e string, im going to restring the bass today and will let you know what happens, i havent changed the action for years, the bass has functioned perfectly since i purchased it in 2005. its a 2005 ltd edition....this is a great bass

 

[vernthebass]

Wow cant believe it this is now resolved! I'm now a happy slapper once again

The restring did the trick - I must have had a faulty E string!

I have fitted the EB regular slinky 45-130 set and the phasing has gone.... happy days...
Thanks to everyone for help and advice I appreciate it.

 

[tbonesullivan]

that "phasing" is also sometimes called "warbling" Most often causes are either a problem with the string, which is what happened in your case, or that the string is too close to the magnet, which many call "stratitis". Stratitis usually occurs in the upper frets, as the string is closer when playing up there. Since it affected all frets, a bad string is usually the culprit.

I had a phasing issue with my SR4, and it turns out I just had the bridge pickup way too high for the action I was using. Backing off the pickup height made it go away.

 

[vernthebass]

Great advice, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience TBone