Fender P: A string clacking

[BillMason]

I bought a used Fender P, and also have another one that I owned previously. With the latter one, when I play my A string, open or fretted, the string clacks against the first fret between wherever it is fretted and the bridge - for example, when played open, it clacks against the 1st fret, and when I fret the fifth fret it clacks against the sixth fret. I know that my technique is partly responsible - striking the string slightly downward, rather than across, but I don't have this problem with my other P bass, or ones that I have tried in stores, and I've been playing this way for 20 years. I tried to set it up exactly the same as the other one (bridge action, intonation, etc.) but get it no matter of the set up. Any ideas what the difference might be?

[Rota]

Is the nut slot for the A string cut too low?

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by Rota

Is the nut slot for the A string cut too low?

That's what I thought at first but as I play higher up the neck, towards the bridge, the clacking follows my left hand.

[GlennW]

Try raising the saddle and/or adding a little relief.