Dull Bottom E String on Acoustic! Why?

Question

I had ordered in and bought a great new Sigma 000R-28V guitar and have only had a (pathetic) shop setup done, so this may be a simple fix with a good setup by a luthier. However I'm a very logical minded handyperson from an engineering background and would like to understand why this is.
Firstly the (12-53 gage) A through top E strings are very lively and sound phenomenal. Plenty of top wood presence, sustain, clarity and overtones though this one darn low E is driving me crazy as it has none of those things.
Heres what I've done:
I've changed the strings a few times (different brands too) thinking i had a dud as i have before. Nope!
I've sanded the saddle flat underneath as it was on an angle from back to front and convex lengthways (not even touching under the E string) from the crappy shop setup. Ahhhh that must be it?? :).. Nope! :(
So then i did a complete setup taking it from 3.5mm at the 12th fret to 2.5, giving it a bit of back bow relief when depressed at 1st and 14th frets by the truss rod and brought the saddle down to the correct height to suit.
There is no buzz anywhere, plays beautifully but that low E is still sounding like a flatwound with no sustain. Its got mushy bass but no clarity or definition no matter fretted anywhere up the neck or open. Bit like a really old string.
The string looks good where it sits across the nut and saddle so i just don't know what it could be so if someone has any ideas that would be great!!!!
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Your description of your attempts to set up the action makes no sense - if you don't know how to set up a guitar, take it to a tech. It's not something you can deduce on the spot from first principles, although reading a few books on the subject might help. At this point, though, the instrument probably needs to go to the tech for a proper setup.

You certainly shouldn't be introducing backbow, and you're trying to measure things in some nonstandard way.



However, the action is unrelated to your original problem, unless it's much lower on the low E and quite high on the other strings, or unless you're actually experiencing a buzz of some sort. As I understand it, though, you're just saying that string sounds kind of dead. If the bottom of the saddle wasn't contacting the bottom of the slot firmly, that could definitely cause problems. Have your tech check the fit of the saddle thoroughly - it needs to be a reasonably tight fit everywhere, and if the bottom of the saddle is flat, the bottom of the slot must be also. I see that model has a bone saddle already, otherwise I'd suggest one. A problem with the nut slot or saddle top might also contribute if conditions were just right (although a buzz would be far more typical), and your tech can double check this too. If the nut were the only problem, though, you wouldn't have the issue on fretted notes.



Otherwise, I think a hands-on inspection by an experienced tech is needed. Sigma is not a highly regarded brand, and quite likely you just got a cranky one due to some aspect of the wood or construction, but there's no way to tell without ruling out all other possibilities. Things like this are why it is best not to buy a guitar sight unseen. I suspect returning it won't be an option now that you've tried to work on it though.



You might also have the intonation checked while you're at it - usually people describe a guitar with an intonation issue as sounding more and more out of tune as you go up the neck, but occasionally it is experienced as muddy tone (not exactly what you describe, but close enough to make me want to check. Can't hurt anyway). The cure for an intonation issue on an acoustic would be a custom compensated saddle.

Answer 2

jcr gave you very good advice. I am no expert on acoustic guitar, but have a friend who makes his living playing steel string and classical acoustic guitar. One thing he told me that always stuck in my head is that when looking for an acoustic, among other things, always see how the high e string sounds. I can only assume by that statement he means a dull sounding high e is a trait some guitars just have. Again, not speaking from experience, but rather repeating what a very experienced player said to me.



I'd say take it to your local shop, explain your issue with the first string and see what they can do. Never hurts to get a good setup on a new guitar and it could be something as simple as the nut being cut wrong.

Answer 3

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