Dull Low E on '70s Telecaster

[Dog Shape Cloud]

Hello all,

I've recently (re)gained possession of an early '70s Telecaster (CBS, I know), with the four bolt F-plate. Everything original as far as I know.

I've played this guitar off and on for many years and never liked it much, because the low E always sounds "dead" (plugged and unplugged, fretted or open, so I think it can't be the pickups or the nut). Now, doing a bunch of Googling, it seems this is a fairly common issue with '70s Fenders. I'm hoping that means there is a possible fix, because everything else about this guitar is pretty great.

From my reading it seems there are a few schools of thought on this:

1) Saddle burr or tight saddle. The saddle looks smooth, even under a magnifying glass, and doesn't seem tight, though I'm not sure what to check for.

2) "Bad neck" or truss dampening one string?

3) Saddle screw placement. The strings should form a slight arc, following the fretboard radius, no? Action seems about right.

4) Bridge plate screws?

I know very little about electric guitars, but this is what I've found online. Any other thoughts/experiences, or anything else I may have missed?

[jonfields45]

Does it intonate properly? Might the bridge pickup be too close to the string?

[Bax Burgess]

Originally Posted by Dog Shape Cloud

1) Saddle burr or tight saddle. The saddle looks smooth, even under a magnifying glass, and doesn't seem tight, though I'm not sure what to check for.

Saddle slot too thin, the string suspended by its sides as opposed to being thoroughly seated? If there's a thinner gauge #6 string handy, swap it in, otherwise a needle file can broaden the slot.

[mr. beaumont]

Replace the E/A saddle, see what happens.