Weird problem?

[iamzeroedin]

Hello everyone, first post here. I have a question about my new/used bass. I recently put new Ernie Ball strings on my Deluxe Jazz Bass and for some odd reason, the A string continues to pop out of place on the neck. I have been playing for almost ten years now and have never had this problem. Did I maybe cut the string too short? Thanks in advance!

[251]

Originally Posted by iamzeroedin

Hello everyone, first post here. I have a question about my new/used bass. I recently put new Ernie Ball strings on my Deluxe Jazz Bass and for some odd reason, the A string continues to pop out of place on the neck. I have been playing for almost ten years now and have never had this problem. Did I maybe cut the string too short? Thanks in advance!

I am guessing you changed to larger diameter strings & the grooves in the nut are not wide enough for the string to hold in place. Modifying the nut is one of the more challenging bass guitar repairs. It needs special files & an eye for fine detail.

I see several choices; Go back to the original string gauge with new strings, find a Luthier to modify the existing nut or have a luthier make a new nut. The bass likely needs a set up to make the most of the new strings, too.

Good luck

[202dy]

Maybe.

There are a couple of things to remember when installing strings. The first, and hopefully most obvious, is that the string winds onto the tuner from the right side of the shaft on a right handed guitar given that the tuners are Fender style four in line on one side. Otherwise, the strings install to the side of the shaft toward the center of the head stock. The second is that the string should be cut long enough to allow for downward wraps so that the string leaves the shaft from near the headstock. That will provide for a proper down angle and witness point.

[timmy1953]

My first guess would be that you did cut the string too short. With Fender basses, the E and A strings need a few turns around the peg to get a slight down angle. This will hold the strings on the nut. Happens to everybody.

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by 202dy

Maybe.

There are a couple of things to remember when installing strings. The first, and hopefully most obvious, is that the string winds onto the tuner from the right side of the shaft on a right handed guitar given that the tuners are Fender style four in line on one side. Otherwise, the strings install to the side of the shaft toward the center of the head stock. The second is that the string should be cut long enough to allow for downward wraps so that the string leaves the shaft from near the headstock. That will provide for a proper down angle and witness point.

This +1million