Strings don't FULLY fit into the nut.

[EAdanikDG]

Hi, I just got some Rotosound Trubass 88s, and the don't fully fit into the nut slots. The E and A strings go about two thirds of the way into the slot, which is ok. The D string only goes about one third of the way in and the G string only goes one quarter of the way in. I feel it may be ok, as I pulled the G string tight over the nut slot and plucked it and it didn't pop out but i'm still worried that there might be some problems.

I can return them, but I was really keen to try these strings, and I got them half price. I don't want to file the nut, because then other strings might rattle etc. If I cut them to size and/or coil them around the tuning peg I won't be able to return them. Are there any problems with leaving them just a quarter of the way into the slot? Thanks

[Marton]

Don't do it. The strings will be really too high at the nut, and they'll just probably get caught in the nut and break.

[Chris K]

Strings should better not 'hang' in their nut slots. You might choose to not deepen the slots, but only widen them a little.

[EAdanikDG]

Caught in the nut?

[EAdanikDG]

I took a chance and put them on. The result? Absolute bliss! Just the sound I was going for, a bit of clanky Rickenbacker 4001 sound in there too, which I like. When I tuned them they stretched a bit, hence fit better into the nut slots. The E and A strings go all the way in, the D string is two thirds in, and the G string is a bit over half in, absolutely no problems though. Thanks for all your help guys.

[TheMutt]

The Tru Bass strings are much beefier than your standard gauge set of strings. Unlike most "medium" gauge sets that run (comparing most standard 4 string sets)

.045 .065 .085 .105

or

.045 .065 .080 .100

these strings (Tru Bass 88's) are

.065 .075 .100 .115

You should really consider widening the nut on your bass a bit to accomodate these strings, or move to a different brand of tapewounds like:

Fender 9120M's
.058 .072 .092 .110

or

GHS 3060's
.050 .070 .090 .105

These two brands would fit into the nut a lot easier. This way, you won't eventually wear down the nut when you fret the strings and do bends. You also won't have action that is too high because of the nut.

That being said, the Tru Bass 88's are my absolute favorite strings for my fretless. Super tasty upright-like tones to be had, and plenty of mwah.

[Ric5]

I prefer to widen the nut slots to slightly wider than the string. I don't like a tight fit. I think a loose fit works better. It makes it easier to tune the bass and it makes it easied to try different string gauges.

[mech]

Widen the slots.
If the nut is plastic there's a large probability the nut will break or crack due to the string acting like a wedge. If the bottom of the slots are properly formed, slightly smaller strings will not rattle. I have several 4 strings that I occasionally change from BEAD (.130-.070) to EADG (.110-.050) with no problems.

mech

[walterw]

get the slots widened, or here's your likely future:

broke my nut, suggestions?