Weak E string?

[bassment_zombie]

I have an early 2006 4003, and absolutely love it. When played unplugged, the E string and body are very resonant. However as I've been gigging and rehearsing with the bass now (still only a handful of times), I can't seem to ignore that it seems the E string is a bit anemic compared to the others.

I assume this has something to do with the pickup height(s)/adjustment, setup, etc. The stock strings are still installed. Any advice or suggestions how to get rid of my E string anemia?

Thanks in advance.

(I tried searching the archives for this topic, but couldn't find it. I apologize if this is redundant - please point me in the right direction, if so.)

[rikk]

Have you tried raising the Pickup on the E side?

[bassment_zombie]

Hey there Rikk,

I haven't yet. I figured I'd ask 'round here first. Which pickup? Both? Or just the neck? Also, I wasn't sure about adjusting it - I figured that if I raise the E side of the neck pickup, that it would also raise the output of the A string.

[cheyenne]

This has been a huge problem for a long time. Hopefully the new "adjustable" polepiece highgains will take care of this problem.?

[bassment_zombie]

Hey Scott, my 4003 was made in March of this year, I believe. Should mine have the adjustable pole pieces? This is my first Ric, but it appears the pole pieces on the neck pickup have varying/adjustable heights? If so, how do I adjust the individual pole pieces? (The pickup cover is installed over the bridge pickup, so I can't be sure about it)

[Hey Rikk - I see in the Boston thread that you live in the Boston area. Whereabouts? I do, too. I lived in Somerville from 2000 until this summer, when I moved up to the North Shore. Are you gigging these days?]

[cheyenne]

The new higains Im refering to have "hex" ?adjustable pole pieces.

I havent seen them personally,,,but others here on the forum have.

A very new item.

[bassment_zombie]

Scott - do you know when the 4003 models began including the hex adjustable pickups? I just did a search on the forum for a discussion about this, but can't seem to find that information. My 4003 was made in March of this year.

[rictified]

Another thing that works many times is to tweak the truss rods, maybe turn them an 1/8 or less of a turn, they sometimes resonate and dampen certain notes. Set up can completely change the sound and balance of your bass many times also.

[zoomduck]

Hipshot bridge and more EQ . 120 HZ on down .

[johnallg]

Drew, another suggestion is to back off the tension on the E string enough to make sure it is not twisted from the tailpiece hole to where it is going onto the adjusting key. You do not want it to have a twist end to end, across the bridge and nut. It can't vibrate as freely if twisted.

[geddeeee]

Nice one John. Great piece of advice. A slightly twisted string can be a cause for 'dull' sound.

[jwr2]

my favorite way to make the E string resonate better on any bass is to add a 5th string (low B) the additional tension on the neck makes the whole bass resonate better ...

[johnallg]

snore.... snore....

[bassment_zombie]

Interesting points, all. I'm scheduling an appointment with Jim Mouradian to have him take a look and see what he thinks.

Acoustically, the E string is anything but anemic. Its strong, punchy, and the result is very resonant. Its simply amplified that the E is anemic. The Ric received a full setup from the factory from a good dealer everyone here is familiar with.

[gothbin]

Let us know how it turned out after the new setup....