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Post subject: Squier Bass VI low "E" string sounds weird
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 5:14 pm
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I just picked up a Squier Bass VI because I've always wanted a Fender VI and the $350 price was just too good to pass up. I used to have a Danelectro U-2 6-String Bass but I never liked the look of it. Now for $350 price I wasn't expecting amazing playability and perfect intonation but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. The playability was actually pretty good and the sound was "Fendery" enough to do the job.

I set up the action to keep the buzzing on the lower strings to a minimum and the intonation was close enough for rock 'n' roll. However, after plugging it in to test it out I noticed that the low "E" string had a strange "clipped" or muted tone completely different from the rest of the strings. When I picked it hard I could hear a strange harmonic and it didn't ring smoothly like the other strings. I fooled around with the bridge for a while testing back and forth but the best I could do was minimize it, and only slightly.

Does this sound like a bum string, a lousy bridge, a poorly cut nut or just the result of an inexpensive compromised design?


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Post subject: Re: Squier Bass VI low "E" string sounds weird
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:13 pm
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Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
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It is very difficult to diagnose something like that on a forum. I would think it could be a fret issue. Maybe have a pro check it out and get some estimates (granted changing the string first might be a good idea to eliminate it as the culprit). One clue could be offered if you pick it all the way at the last fret on the low E does it still do it? A way to check the nut is put something under the string at the nut (a piece of match book cover etc.) to raise the string and test to see if it improved.

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Post subject: Re: Squier Bass VI low "E" string sounds weird
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:10 am
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:idea: :arrow: Buy a new set of strings and take them to your luthier with Bass VI in hand. Get a pro set-up which will include fine nut tweaks, and maybe frets leveled if needed. That will save you a lot of time; effort, headache & heartburn. So what if it costs $100+? You got it cheap enough.

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Post subject: Re: Squier Bass VI low "E" string sounds weird
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:08 pm
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Check the pickup height. When one string starts acting up often the pickup pole is too close to the string effectively dampening it some. Lower the pickup using the pickup adjusting screws. Or it could be a bum string. The advice to get a professional setup was solid.


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