Musicman Stingray tuner problem

[JLW]

I've had nothing but problems with this bass and it's really starting to tick me off. It plays and sounds great but oh my god it's like a high maintenance woman and I'm tired of it.

Another problem with this bass.

Decided to put some new strings on my Musicman Stingray. All is well. They are stock tuners. Put on the E string, A string, and D string with no problem.

I get to the G string and all of a sudden all hell breaks loose (so easy to make jokes here, but try to hold it in )

Whenever I try to wrap the string around the tuner, the part of the string that goes into the hole of the tuner gradually comes out. So as I'm tightening the G string with the tuning peg, the string gradually is coming out of the hole, thus disallowing me to actually tighten the string onto the bass at all. It's very irritating. Seems like I've tried everything, (wrapping some around beforehand, making sure the string is all the way in the hole, wrapping the string from the bottom up, wrapping the string from the top down, everything)

It doesn't seem like the tuner is broken, though. But the string keeps unwinding out of the little hole that you put it in.

by the way im using Ernie ball super slinkys if that matters. I don't think they're short scale or anything like that, cuz if they were, none of the other strings would have worked. I could go back and look on the box though. Looks like they fit fine though.

I figured I'd ask you guys before I sent it to a repair guy.

[JLW]

I'm going to try a different set of string tomorrow. its a possibility I cut the string too short

[The Craw]

You do realize that you need to wrap the string counterclockwise around the G tuner, don't you? Otherwise, when you tighten it (in the opposite direction of the E, A and D) the string won't stay put.

I've always used Super Slinkys on my MM basses without any issues, ever. They're definitely long scale; they're the OEM strings on the bass.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by JLW

I'm going to try a different set of string tomorrow. its a possibility I cut the string too short

Definitely can be a problem if you cur the string too short. You want to make sure that you have about 3 complete windings around the post.

Before you put the string into the hole that runs vertically down the tuner post, crimp the string at right angles using a pair of pliers. Then stick the string in the hole, and where it starts to wrap around the post, make a good sharp right angle crimp in the string.

If you've totally messed it up, you might be able to salvage the string by running the first loop on the tuner over the starting point and the rest under - if you get my drift. First loop going up the post, next and subsequent loops going down the post. It might help.

[Baleen]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

If you've totally messed it up, you might be able to salvage the string by running the first loop on the tuner over the starting point and the rest under - if you get my drift. First loop going up the post, next and subsequent loops going down the post. It might help.

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

I always do this (with 3 wraps, as was also mentioned) and I have no problems, on my MM or others. The only time I don't do this now is on the A string of my Fenders to get the string as low on the tuner as possible so there's enough pressure over the nut.

[JLW]

Yea I tried a different string (a string from my other bass) and it works fine. So its not a problem with the tuner. I just cut it too short.

Darn I'm stupid. Waste of $20.

[Bayou_Brawler]

are you really having all sorts of problems? mine is a rock...

[JLW]

I'm not having problems really. I only had one when it was shipped to me (buzzing on higher frets, simple truss rod adjustment fixed that).

But just last week the pickup was having a chorus effect on it. I lowered the pickup and that was fixed.

And then I thought the tuner was broken and I was absolutely ticked off beyond belief. Turns out it was just me cutting the string too short.

By the way guys, I fixed the string problem. I used pliers to get the string nice and bent and it actually worked.

Now I know to leave a lot of extra length for stock Musicman tuners. I usually leave about 1 1/2" extra length but from now on I'll do about 2" just in case.

[The Craw]

Originally Posted by JLW

Now I know to leave a lot of extra length for stock Musicman tuners. I usually leave about 1 1/2" extra length but from now on I'll do about 2" just in case.

1 1/2" or 2"? No wonder! With large post tuners I always leave 4 1/2" inches on the G, 5" on the A and D and 5 1/2" on the E.

YMMV, of course.

[Lindsey]

3 wraps....you shouldn't even need to trim the strings much at all.