Hey everyone, sorry if I'm duplicating- I thought I saw this question recently and can't find it now. The first string MIM strat just doesn't sing out like the other strings do. It seems noticeably quieter than even the B string. I don't notice it while chording but while soloing going to the e string I find myself picking it harder to try and get the note to equal volume as whatever string I just left. Even with a "snapping" upstroke with the pad of a finger doesn't quite get it there. Sorry again if this is re-hash but I will really appreciate your input! Thanks so much, Mark

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First I would check the height of your pickups a good stating point is 5/64" on bass side and 4/64" on treble side from the bottom of the string to the top of the pickup and make sure you press the string down when you do it. This is where I would start first.

Press the two E strings down at the highest fret and measure from the top of the pole piece to the bottom of the string.

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Bill

Maybe just a bad string.

Cheers,
Robin

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Hi markross, if the above suggestions don't work, you should give us some more info. e.g. How long have you owned the guitar? Have you had this problem from the start? Is the guitar set up properly? What strings do you use? How old are they? Have you tried other brands? etc. etc.

More info: bought it new in '04. Strings are never more than a few weeks old- 10-46 gauge, no extreme fret wear or buzz, maple neck, 235x16" all terrain tires- oh, sorry. I keep it set up pretty well. At least I think so! Also CS 57 pups, Callaham block, neither of those changed the way the 1st string behaves. I know it's a subtle problem and I'm starting to think it's just the nature of things

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I had the same problem with my Lonestar strat. I discovered that the high e is not directly over the pole pieces of a Texas Special. Its part of the problem with the nut and bridge being slighly narrower that the American counterpart Strats. You can balance out the single coils or invest into a different type of single coil such as Lace Sensor or EMG active coils.

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Hey, now that I look at it the pole pieces under the first string on the mid and neck pups are outside the string. The rear pup is centered though. I'm kind of leery about getting the pups too close too the string but I'll try raising them some to see if it helps. The rear is pretty close already to balance out with the other two so I don't know. I'll holler if it helps.

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I had a similiar issue. The nut slot was not cut properly. It was too tight. I used some real fine sandpaper. Folded it and sanded the string slot very gently and with out too much pressure. It solved the problem.

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It does sound like the string vibration is being impeded in some way. Maybe in the nut, or maybe the break angle over the nut is not quite sufficient.

If it's a mis-aligned pickup pole piece issue, I have a solution which is a bit unorthodox but has worked for me before. Make the pole piece under the relevant string bigger. Put a small, very thin metal washer onto the pickup pole piece. The magnet will hold it there. Sounds mad, but it really does work..

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