My bass makes the E string die faster than the others... no matter what brand the strings are!!

[InstantEctobass]

Hi there folks!

I have a big issue with my Cort GB34A bass (my first bass)... I thought it was normal at first then I used to like changing my strings every week (like Steve Harris does), and I went from Dunlop strings to different Ernie Ball sets to finally discover Elixir, Rotosound...

But then, on my last set of strings, which is rather "fresh" (a month approximately), which is a set of stainless steel 45-100 gauge uncoated strings... and the first set with my brand new bone nut (made by a luthier, a bit disappointed with the overall shape of the thing... he didn't rounded the edges enough to my sight and taste)... and then it happened again.

The E string died prematurely, when the 3 other strings are perfectly sounding bright and alive.
I'm joining a very easy sample to download here : CatUpload - Hébergeur de fichiers gratuit, envoi de fichiers sans incription, transfert de fichiers | E-DEAD.mp3

You can clearly hear than the notes played on the E string are sounding dead... But I'm rather concerned because 'even with Elixir strings', that are meant to last longer (and they does on my Music Man copy bass! sounding right like I want on such a bass), it does happen. Always, the, E, string. Rotosound, Dunlop, Ernie Ball Slinky... nickel or stainless steel (but all roundwound)... it's always the same.

Every set sound perfect when freshly installed, but after some time, the E string dies in a blink of an eye, leaving a bitter taste to the rest of the set... But I have no clue what could cause that. I don't use a pick, it doesn't happen on other of my basses... the action is well set, and anyway when strings are new, it doesn't happen. The fingerboard is rosewood, but I don't think that's the issue.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY IDEA? I just put 50 euros to replace the nut because I didn't want to risk doing it myself (no tool...) and that bass is not expensive, I don't want to make other upgrades, I just love it cause it's my firsty... you know what I mean? <3

Thanks a lot!

 

[Sam Dingle]

Do you play on the E string more than others?

 

[Yahboy]

Somes say "widthness point" could help......

 

[InstantEctobass]

Do you play on the E string more than others?

Maybe be a little but playing on other basses won't have that effect... quick researches told me that it could be a too light bass body that would not make the string resonate well after a bit of aging... other posts point out the bridge. Any idea?

Somes say "widthness point" could help......

I'm not sure to understand! Could you please explain more on the matter? Thanks !

 

[Linnin]

It is the gauge of the string. Larger in diameter strings loose their initial timbre more quickly than smaller strings. So the E (or B) goes dead first followed by the rest string-by-string with your highest pitch string being last. Something about physics or so I've been told.

 

[InstantEctobass]

It is the gauge of the string. Larger in diameter strings loose their initial timbre more quickly than smaller strings. So the E (or B) goes dead first followed by the rest string-by-string with your highest pitch string being last. Something about physics or so I've been told.

That would be a great reason... but I had set where I continued to play weeks and weeks and weeks and the 3 others string would never reach that lost in timbre and harmonics... Right now I put 40-95 nickel set from Thomann (4,90 €)..; time will tell !

 

[Linnin]

That would be a great reason... but I had set where I continued to play weeks and weeks and weeks and the 3 others string would never reach that lost in timbre and harmonics... Right now I put 40-95 nickel set from Thomann (4,90 €)..; time will tell !

Try month after month for a year. It'll happen.

 

[InstantEctobass]

Try month after month for a year. It'll happen.

I tend to disagree too.. my Elixir set that I made the sound sample with, is 2 years old. The ADG strings sound very well, the E is completely dead...

I smash all of them.

 

[HoboCop]

I've always had that problem a little bit myself, some of it was I tended to tune to drop D and back up a lot which seems to make a difference, and some of it was that I played that string more than others, and some of it was that I was a smoker and apparently the residue on your fingers kills strings like crazy. Didn't realize until I quit and noticed that my strings started lasting way longer.

 

[Element Zero]

Could be how you’re installing the string. When installing, try bending the end 4-6 inches past the tuning machine at least a 90 degree angle and cut JUST AFTER the bend. Sometimes, if you just cut the string to length, the core of the string could slip. Or it could be slipping after you’ve installed it which would explain how it dies after a bit of playing. Not as big of a risk with hex core strings but a good practice for round core. It only happened a few times for me over my first 10 years of playing but for the last 14 years I’ve never had a string die on me. If I didn’t explain it well, there are a plethora of videos on YouTube explaining this technique.

 

[InstantEctobass]

Could be how you’re installing the string. When installing, try bending the end 4-6 inches past the tuning machine at least a 90 degree angle and cut JUST AFTER the bend. Sometimes, if you just cut the string to length, the core of the string could slip. Or it could be slipping after you’ve installed it which would explain how it dies after a bit of playing. Not as big of a risk with hex core strings but a good practice for round core. It only happened a few times for me over my first 10 years of playing but for the last 14 years I’ve never had a string die on me. If I didn’t explain it well, there are a plethora of videos on YouTube explaining this technique.

No worries, I know about the trick to install the strings! I bend them and cut after the bend all the time. But that's a good reminder!

Also some people hearing is so bad that they CAN'T tell the difference between a dead string and a living string.

You know what... my last set was cheap, had nothing to lose. Boiling them for 15 minutes, let them dry in soaking paper. Put them back... voila, it sounds great again. Incredible!! Wouldn't try on Elixir or other coated strings though!