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A string jumping out of nut

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by Slap_N_Slide, Mar 31, 2014.


  1. Mar 31, 2014 #1
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    I have just tried a slightly lighter set of strings on my fender jaguar, for a test. And adjusted neck relief, action and intonation.

    The A string was jumping out of the nut, I shortened the string a little so there are only 2 winds round the peg, and the string is lower on the peg....the extra downward pressure is holding it in ok just now.

    When I inspected the nut slot for the A string it is in the form of a V, and although I am an engineer to trade and not a luthier, this does not look correct to me and seems to be why it is jumping out when struck hard, or under bend.

    Could I be looking at a new nut due to heavier strings wearing a larger groove that the string is jumping out of. The old e string I think was an 85 and the new is 80.

    Or....Could I get away with filing the nut slots?

    if so what distance should the string be away from the fret board at the nut? And what profile should I form it to?

    Regards
     
  5. Mar 31, 2014 #2
    96tbird

    96tbird PLEASE STAND BY

    Dec 13, 2010
    Turn left at the gopher.
    Should be rounded and slanted toward the tuner so that the string only touches the nut in a small point at the fret side.

    String height. 1) Fret 1st fret and look at clearance over the second fret.

    2) Then, fret third fret and look at clearance over the first fret. Make the clearance here at least as low as step 1). Should be about the thickness of a piece of paper.
     
  9. Apr 1, 2014 #3
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    Ok great thanks, need to get a wee set of files now.

    Should these checks and adjustments be done with neck relief set in playing position. Ie as fender recommend

    Or should i straighten the neck again before performing this?
     
  13. Apr 1, 2014 #4
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    I would. Set your relief and tune to pitch, then do your nut tweaks. I remove and address one string at a time. This maintains the neck at near-normal compression and allows you to re-assess "real world" parameters including string > 1st fret gap (.003-.005").

    Riis
     
  18. Apr 1, 2014 #5
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
    Sounds to me like you are winding the string from the bottom up, which is incorrect. Top down, and leave it as long as possible.
     
  22. Apr 1, 2014 #6
    96tbird

    96tbird PLEASE STAND BY

    Dec 13, 2010
    Turn left at the gopher.

    This occurred to me as well. I had to read his explanation a couple of times and decided to reject that possibility.

    YES! Do not go up tuner, go down. :D
     
  26. Apr 1, 2014 #7
    jumbodbassman

    jumbodbassman

    Dec 28, 2009
    Stuck in traffic -NY & CT
    Born Again Tubey
    +1000. leave at least 3 inches past tuner if it if big enough to hold it.
     
  30. Apr 2, 2014 #8
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    Hmm, so stick the string in the hole down through the middle of the tuning peg, and then wind the string underneath it?

    Have i been doing it wrong then?

    I was always shown to wind over the top of it and this stops it from jumping out while tightening.
     
  34. Apr 2, 2014 #9
    lz4005

    lz4005

    Oct 22, 2013
    One wrap over the top to lock it in, the rest down so you get some down force at the nut.
     
  38. Apr 2, 2014 #10
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    So the string crosses over itself once?

    One over the top then cross over to underneath for the remaining?
     
  42. Apr 2, 2014 #11
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
  47. Apr 2, 2014 #12
    lz4005

    lz4005

    Oct 22, 2013
    Yes.

    It's a little overkill for fender-style bass tuners, but it works.
     
  51. Apr 4, 2014 #13
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    Yip, every day is indeed a school day

    Restringed again today when I swapped the bridge winding down this time, not up, and is much better. No jumping out of the nut.

    Thanks for the lesson folks :)

    Wont make that mistake again!
     
  55. Apr 4, 2014 #14
    walterw

    walterw Supportive Fender Commercial User

    Feb 20, 2009
    alpha-music.com
    shorten?

    the procedure with fenders (because this is an inherent thing with all of them) is to use more string on the A, not less, so that the wraps go all the way down the post to the peghead face.
     
  59. Apr 5, 2014 #15
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    Yeah, noticed that the A string definately needs a bit extra over the other 3. And winding down the peg instead of up helps :eek:

    As I said, every day is a school day

    Worked ok all this time for my other bass winding this way, but it is 2l 2r configuration.

    Live and learn :D
     
  63. Apr 5, 2014 #16
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
     
  67. Apr 5, 2014 #17
    96tbird

    96tbird PLEASE STAND BY

    Dec 13, 2010
    Turn left at the gopher.
    Wind down always, even on your 2+2 bass. I think now you can see that it doesn't make sense to wind up when you take physics into account.
     
  71. Apr 5, 2014 #18
    Slap_N_Slide

    Slap_N_Slide

    Jan 2, 2013
    Yeah, a bit of a stupid mistake. Makes complete sense now when i think about it....DOH!

    Wont do that again, im amazed that ive been restringing wrong all this time and its only just caused a problem now.

    Handy info about the A string, always wondered why it rides a bit higher than the rest.

    Thanks again folks for the lesson :)
     

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