Why does my nut keep breaking?

[agent77]

I started on bass about 2 1/2 years ago. I purschased a used MIM Fender P that had a broken nut, half the nut was missing from the G string to the end, but it did not affect playibility or sound. I purschased a new nut from Musician's Friend and took it to the local music store to have it installed. About 6 months later the A string started to rattle, and I noticed the nut was worn where the A string sits. Back to the local music store where the luithier filled it and it worked OK for about a year. Then the A string started rattling again. Another new nut from MF, installed by the local shop. 9 months later and my A string is rattling again. Does anyone know what's going on here?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Badly done nut.

Sounds a lot like that anyway.

You do have enough wraps on the tuning peg to have steep enough angle over the nut, do you?

Regards
Sam

[grendle]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Badly done nut.

Sounds a lot like that anyway.

You do have enough wraps on the tuning peg to have steep enough angle over the nut, do you?

Regards
Sam

+1 any of the above.
You need 3 full wraps on the tuner when you put strings on. Make sure the string comes off from the bottom of the tuner as well. If not there won't be enough tension on the nut and it will rattle.

[baileyboy]

I hate when that happens....

[john grey]

"V" string cuts, slope nut at tuning peg side, use a quality material: graphite (brass is fine - it just takes a bit longer to file).

[agent77]

Thanks for the comments guys, now to clairify a few things: The A string (I believe) is wound down far enough. It is wrapped around the tuning peg three times, I even had the shop put on new strings when they changed the nut. The strings are Erine Ball Super Slinkeys, and being a Fender, there is no retaining thingee for the A or E strings. Also why is this only happening to the A string? And where can I buy a brass nut?

[stflbn]

Was your nut 'broke' each time? From your post you only mention it being 'broke' when you bought it... each other time all that's happening is the A string rattling.

"Where" is it rattling? Frets near the Nut, or 12th fret or higher?

[agent77]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Was your nut 'broke' each time? From your post you only mention it being 'broke' when you bought it... each other time all that's happening is the A string rattling.

"Where" is it rattling? Frets near the Nut, or 12th fret or higher?

The nut was broken at the G string when I bought the bass. All other times the nut looks as though some filed it down where the A string goes. The rattling has always been on the nut. My action is really high, and I'm sure it is not fret buzz. Also, both times I had the nut replaced it was with a Fender American Standard Precision nut from Musician's Friend.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by agent77

The A string (I believe) is wound down far enough. It is wrapped around the tuning peg three times, ...

Frankly, the most likely cause is that it ISN'T down far enough, betcha. Loosen the string, and push it all the way down to the base of the tuning peg. Hold it there as you tune back up so it stays there once you are back to pitch.

[Slowgypsy]

Is the "A" string rattling when played open, fretted, or both?

[electracoyote]

Yeah, this is not a "broken" nut. As others have said, it is a mis-filed nut or the string break angle is too shallow on the A, or some combination of the two. Both are very common. Make sure you have enough wraps on the A string tuning post to cause a marked downward break angle from the nut to the post. If you still have a buzz, the slot is mis-filed. You need to find someone with the tools and experience to use them correctly to either fill and re-file that slot or start from scratch with a new nut blank.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

I hate when that happens....

I especially hate when it rattles ... ouch, ouch!

[john grey]

I recently cut another nut for a friend and this time I used Nylon (Zytel not some model airplane acrylic plastic) which had some great flex to it. Bone can be a problem as organic materials may have fissures or inconsistent density issues that go un-seen. I used brass before also and like it because it takes longer to make the cuts, giving you a chance to work slower. "U" shaped cuts as opposed to "V" cuts occasionally give grief due to a differing width string pushing out the walls of the cut where as a "V" cut allows differing sizes with very limited strain on the material. I also bevel the nut at a downward angle at the tuning-peg side of the nut so the string has a chance to drop down with a low string tree or multiple windings on the peg.

[agent77]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Is the "A" string rattling when played open, fretted, or both?

fretted

[walterw]

a problem with fretted notes means it's not the nut at all.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by agent77

Also, both times I had the nut replaced it was with a Fender American Standard Precision nut from Musician's Friend.

red flag here;

anybody who could actually do this job right wouldn't need you to bring in another plastic nut you bought off the internet.

they would already have better material to use.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by walterw

a problem with fretted notes means it's not the nut at all.

Exactly. Once the note is fretted, the nut is out of the equation.

OP had better get thee to a GOOD bass tech. Without more information (like where the buzz is specifically coming from) this is hard to diagnose.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by agent77

fretted

Exactly why I asked that question. We're narrowing this down.

Run up the fretboard on the "A" string, starting with the first fret. Is there a particular place you notice the rattling sound more? Or is there a group of notes that have that rattling sound. The point to this is you can locate better where the problem fret, or frets are.

But there is a bottom line here. You still be well served to take your instrument to a real luthier (not Guitar Center) and let that person have a look. Really, if all it needs is a minor fret level for a fret or two or three... no big deal and not expensive.

If it's something other than that, a competent luthier will be able to tell you exactly what needs to be done, then you can decided whether you want to proceed or not. Only way to make your instrument sing.

[grendle]

A loose nut, broken nut, or too little pressure on the nut will / can cause a "back buzz" or rattle even when fretted.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by walterw

a problem with fretted notes means it's not the nut at all.

Not necessarily - I've seen a nut slot that wasn't low enough to cause a buzz on open notes, but was low enough to cause a back buzz when playing around the 5-8 frets...


- georgestrings