High E - very low volume

[joakims]

Hi,
I've just installed an element active system and have a problem with the high E being very low. All the other strings sound great. The hole is coming in from the high E side but a like one cm from the string. Have checked that it seem to have good contact there too. Any clues?
Many thanks,
Joakim

[Caleb_Elling]

Hello joakims,
The first thing that I would check is the hole that was drilled for the pickup. If there is any debris or wood remains in or around the hole, it could cause the saddle to not sit flat on the pickup or in the slot.

Of course, making sure that the bottom of the saddle is flat is also very important.

[nasha]

Same? Here.

Hi Caleb, Joakim,

Here's another one with sort of the same problem.

A while ago, I've asked the same question.
At first I thought the element under the saddle was dead, but after setting the amp to a high distortion, high volume setting, I can confirm the output is just very low.
The high E's output is very low on my Ibanez S520X.

Here the thing though. Since this is a Japanese made, factory default guitar, there should not be any debris between or around the saddle and the pickup.
Softly tapping the B through low E string results in knocking sounds over the amp - as expected. Holding my finger on the high E, there's a distinct buzz - like grabbing the tip of the jack cable that goes in your guitar.

I'm thinking of either a ground loop or some short circuit going on before the summing board.

@Joakim, can you confirm that there's no buzz like in my axe?
@Caleb, I'm I right to assume that the pickup isn't damaged, but the wiring in the bridge cavity isn't in working order?

Cheers,

Daniel

[Caleb_Elling]

Hi Caleb, Joakim,

Here's another one with sort of the same problem.

A while ago, I've asked the same question.
At first I thought the element under the saddle was dead, but after setting the amp to a high distortion, high volume setting, I can confirm the output is just very low.
The high E's output is very low on my Ibanez S520X.

Daniel

The Element and the Ibanez systems are VERY different from eachother. So string balance issues will not come from the same place. On a Piezo bridge pickup like the Ibanez, there are individual sensors fort each string. On the Element, there is only one sensor. So the Element balance issues typically have to do with the saddle/installation, and not any other part of the circuit.