"Dead" E String

Your Question:  

Hi,
I have been pulling my hair out over a non-ringing E string.
No matter what brand, the string will not ring out when picked or bowed. It sounds like something is stopping it but it is not digging into the bridge or the nut. Any comments will be appreciated.

Violin E String

My Answer: 
There could be several possible problems such as:

The notch in the nut is too deep or too low and the E string hits the fingerboard.

The notch in the bridge is too deep and deadens the E string.

Does your bridge have a parchment or leather under the E string or do you use the tube that comes with the E string (used to keep the E from cutting into the bridge)?

The bridge is not centered on the instrument or straight.

The soundpost may not be in the best position for your E string to ring.

Your violin might have open seam(s).

Perhaps there is a problem with your fine tuner (most all violins have a fine tuner on the E string).  Is your fine tuner making contact with the top of the violin, or does your tailpiece make contact with the top of the violin?

Also, are you using wound, gold plated or steel E string?  Because that too can make a difference.

There are so many things that could be wrong.  Your best bet is to take it to a reputable (knowledgeable) violin shop and see if they can sort it out.

I hope this helps.

Sheila Graves, Violin Dealer