Do I Need a New Nut?

[FrenchAK]

So-
The other day, I noticed changed strings on my Squier Jazz bass, from whatever was on there when I bought it (used) to some Ernie Ball Slinkys (.100 gauge). As soon as I tuned it up and plugged it in, I noticed an incredible buzz coming from the headstock area whenever the A string was played (open).

I've noticed some things that can hopefully narrow down possible problems. Whenever the open A is plucked, the sting continues to resonate past the nut - up into the tuner shaft area. None of the other strings vibrate as much past the nut. The A string also slips out of the nut extremely easily, the other strings won't budge without considerable force that I'm unwilling to apply. As stated before, the buzz/rattle only happens when the *open* A string is played, fretted notes don't buzz at all.

Now, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but the volume of the string decreases to almost inaudible (in a band setting). I guess I could re-work my fingerings to avoid open A, but I've got a couple gigs coming up this month and I'd rather not.

Almighty Bass Gods, lend me your knowledge: Is the nut the cause of my troubles? How much would I expect to have to pay to get a new nut installed (or could I just do it myself)?

Thanks!

[Jimbob Jones]

It sounds like the nut slot is either too wide or too shallow (or both)

If your nut is properly set up, then you will need a new one, as there won't be enough spare material to deepen the slot and fix the problem.

If the A string is quite high off the fretboard, then you may be able to deepen the slot slightly with a small file, which should fix the problem. If you go to deep you will get serious fret buzz though!

[madmatt]

I had that problem once on my MIJ P. It has the older tuning pegs with the big barrel posts.
The reason my A string buzzed was because the angle of the string was not sharp enough as it went over the nut. I fixed it by wrapping the entire string around the post so that the string sat lower, all the way down to the bottom of the barrel/post (whatever you wanna call it).
No more buzz.

[Slowgypsy]

As already mentioned, it sounds like the string is not sitting as low as possible (as closed to the headstock as possible) on the tuning peg.

[sleepytime]

As a general rule of thumb, if you work on something and a new problem crops up, the problem usually lies with your work, not some mysterious new issue with the equipment.

[SamanthaCay]

It’s most likely that the string is not sitting low enough on the tuning post as this is a very common issue with this type of headstock.
Try loosening it up and see if you can get it to sit lower.
If that doesn’t work, pull it off and cut the end of the string that goes in the whole a bit shorter so that it will for sure sit lower.

[FrenchAK]

Originally Posted by sleepytime

As a general rule of thumb, if you work on something and a new problem crops up, the problem usually lies with your work, not some mysterious new issue with the equipment.

I knew it would somehow come down to this, either by me doing something to break the nut or otherwise.

And as for the tuning peg idea: I had a fleeting feeling that the wrapping on the tuning peg might be the issue, but now that I think about it that makes a whole lotta sense.

Thanks for the quick replies and I'll check it out tonight.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by FrenchAK

So-
The other day, I noticed changed strings on my Squier Jazz bass, from whatever was on there when I bought it (used) to some Ernie Ball Slinkys (.100 gauge). As soon as I tuned it up and plugged it in, I noticed an incredible buzz coming from the headstock area whenever the A string was played (open).

I've noticed some things that can hopefully narrow down possible problems. Whenever the open A is plucked, the sting continues to resonate past the nut - up into the tuner shaft area. None of the other strings vibrate as much past the nut. The A string also slips out of the nut extremely easily, the other strings won't budge without considerable force that I'm unwilling to apply. As stated before, the buzz/rattle only happens when the *open* A string is played, fretted notes don't buzz at all.

Now, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but the volume of the string decreases to almost inaudible (in a band setting). I guess I could re-work my fingerings to avoid open A, but I've got a couple gigs coming up this month and I'd rather not.

Almighty Bass Gods, lend me your knowledge: Is the nut the cause of my troubles? How much would I expect to have to pay to get a new nut installed (or could I just do it myself)?

Thanks!

Not enough wraps on the tuner post, a classic Fender headstock/A string problem. You are wrapping the string downwards, correct?

[FrenchAK]

Originally Posted by JLS

Not enough wraps on the tuner post, a classic Fender headstock/A string problem. You are wrapping the string downwards, correct?

I *think* I normally do...
But if that's the cause, and it very well may be - I didn't even think about how I was wrapping the strings other than not putting too many windings on the post - then it's a very easy fix.

I'll take a look when I get home.

EDIT:
I re-wrapped the tuning post and it worked like a charm. Thanks for the quick responses, guys - lots of support for a noobtastic question!