String alignment: Is this normal?

[Magic Ownz]

Good day,

Well, my Squier bass has a problem that has been bothering me for a while. The E string is too far from the edge of the neck and the G string too close. What causes this? The nut? Maybe the neck is warped or something? Maybe the bridge screw holes aren't drilled well? I've bought this bass 3 years ago and I think the strings weren't like that at the beginning , but since that time the bass was been though a lot of beating. I'll leave some pics here as well.
Thanks you all and sorry for the bad English.

[PaulNYC]

probably the bridge is off center. However, you might not like the sound if you fix it.

[Simon Langley]

You can change the bridge for one with multi-slotted or adjustable saddles. This will allow to change string spacing without having to re-drill mounting holes. Hipshot now makes direct replacement bridges with string width adjustments.

[lowendblues]

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

[JustOpenYourMind]

It can be a lot of things,

Do you have the same problem at the nut?

If not,

It might be that your neck has moved in the neck pocket and that it's now misaligned,

Simply loosen the strings, then loosen the neck screws, align the neck correctly using the strings as a guide, re-tighten everything, re-tune and voilà! it should get rid of the problem.

[JustOpenYourMind]

Lowendblues beat me to it!

[southshoreconor]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

+1 especially since it looks fine around the nut and first fret.

[wmheilma]

Unless you are having issues with the G string slipping off the fretboard, I'd leave it like that. The E string has more travel when you pluck it than the G string does, so that set up is not uncommon. My old Music Man was like that from the factory back in the 80's.

BTW LowEnd Blues has the right suggestion if you need a slight adjustment for a bolt on. On a neck-through or glue-on neck would be much harder!

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

+1, perfectly stated

Welcome to the world of bolt-neck guitars and basses. The vast majority of my bolt-necks require this simple adjustment at least once in it's life.

[fretwear]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

+1 Plain to see from the pic, the neck is out of alignment.

[lunarpollen]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

My Burns Barracuda had the same issue when I got it. Wasn't sure why it was misaligned, took it to my guitar tech, he took a look at it, loosened the neck bolts, gave the neck a good tug, tightened the bolts, and it was fine!

[DrSmaggs]

Check the neck pocket out and check the bridge alignment.

If you're unsure, have a pro look it over

[JLS]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

Yup. +4 0r 5, by now...

Second glance: your D & G strings look like they're well aligned over the polepieces, the E & A, not as much. Old-school Fender saddles, made from threaded rod, would allow you to space your E & A strings correctly.

[DrSmaggs]

I second that, JLS. Get that bridge and fix your alignment that way. Your bass is clearly worth saving

[Magic Ownz]

Wow thanks for all the answers, I'll try first what lowendblues said but if that doesn't work I'll need a new bridge right? What are the best bridges for this problem then? Please say something specific like brand and model.

This web forum is simply amazing Thank you all!

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Magic Ownz

Wow thanks for all the answers, I'll try first what lowendblues said but if that doesn't work I'll need a new bridge right? What are the best bridges for this problem then? Please say something specific like brand and model.

This web forum is simply amazing Thank you all!

I'm thinking that you should be able to replace the saddles with the old school Fender style.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

THIS^ The neck is misaligned. It's an easy fix.

IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BRIDGE.

[FunkMetalBass]

I wouldn't doubt that re-aligning the neck would solve some of your pickup alignment issues as well.

[TwinBass]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

I had the same problem. It's an easy fix.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Take the tension off the neck, loosen the neck bolts and give the neck a yank toward the "E" string side to re-align the neck, then crank the neck bolts back down, re-tune and your in business.

A common bolt on problem.

This! Ignore everything else in this thread