Weird Fender tuning issue.

[Matthew Bryson]

I've always felt like the string tree on Fender's and Fender styled basses effects how the D and G strings tune to some extent. Basically I felt like the high strings didn't react to the twisting of the tuners as well as the other two did. I've been doing something lately that seems a bit weird - but maybe not. Lets say my D or G string is a little flat. I find that when I turn the tuning key just a bit, then recheck my tuning, usually the pitch hasn't changed at all. Now I take my thumb and press on the string between the nut and the string tree. I recheck the string and it is now closer to being in tune. I turn the tuning key again, check the string again and the pitch is unchanged. I press the string between the nut and the string tree again, and now I'm in tune.
I think that when I turn the tuning key to tighten the string, the string is not moving freely under the string tree so I'm mostly tightening between the tree and the tuning post. (EDIT - and/or tightening the wraps of string on the tuning post) When I press down between the nut and the tree I'm allowing the string tension to equalize along the length of the string.
Has anybody else experienced this, or am I just crazy? FWIW - I don't have to do this, if I just crank on the tuner enough and don't push on the string, it will come up to pitch. I'm thinking that my way is easier and maybe it will stay in tune better. Does anybody else do anything like this? Would a different type of string retainer eliminate this "problem"?

[lilboo77]

Stewart McDonald has a roller string tree for basses...........I have never used one, so I can't comment on how they work.

Does your bass have the old round style retainer or the one like on the new 5 strings (bar type)?

[Matthew Bryson]

It's a stock Geddy Lee Jazz bass, so it has the round button style string tree - if anything it would be probably be a 70's styled string retainer? (if there is such a thing) or just a stock fender string tree. Also, I'm using pretty heavy round wound strings.
I'm seriously considering going to the bar type string retainers. My thinking is that it would help this issue and maybe help beef up the tone of my open A string. The roller type that you mentioned sounds interesting.

[lilboo77]

The roller type they have looks like you would just replace the round style with it. The body looks like a composite material and the rollers are metal. Only thing is you may loose some sustain if it is a good bit lighter than the stock Fender piece.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware..._For_Bass.html

[Matthew Bryson]

Thanks for the link. I see that it "helps eliminate tuning problems" which at least lets me know that I'm not crazy or imagining a tuning problem. Unfortunately, IMO, that thing is ugly as sin and I'd rather keep doing what I'm doing. Does anybody know a source for the bar type that holds all 4 strings and also if they have similar issues?

[Trevorus]

You may also check and see if your nut is holding on to the string too much. Maybe loosen the string and run the string back and forth in the nut slot and open up the slot a bit. I have never had this problem with my jazz.