• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Buzzing after replacing strings

I just put on a new set of daddadrio roundwound steel strings on a Fender P-bass. I notice the "A" string is now buzzing when I pluck the string. It only buzzes if I play the open string. If I fret any of the notes, there is no buzzing...If I hold down the string behind the nut there is no buzzing either. Any idea how to solve this?
 
For a short term fix, you can try to improvise a string tree by putting a guitar capo behind the nut. You could even try installing a second string tree on the headstock like you have for the D/G strings although that requires drilling. But the real solution as you may have guessed is to pick up another A string and get at least 3 wraps on the post.
 
For a short term fix, you can try to improvise a string tree by putting a guitar capo behind the nut. You could even try installing a second string tree on the headstock like you have for the D/G strings although that requires drilling. But the real solution as you may have guessed is to pick up another A string and get at least 3 wraps on the post.

Yup, going to the music store first thing tomorrow and getting a fresh set. Would have been nice if Fender put a string tree on the E/A strings, oh well.
 
Yup, going to the music store first thing tomorrow and getting a fresh set. Would have been nice if Fender put a string tree on the E/A strings, oh well.

It would have been even nicer if they had fixed the problem in the design that has been there since nineteen-fifty-frikin-one....

:rollno:

They're still putting out re-issue basses with the truss rod adjuster buried under the pickguard...you have to take the strings AND the neck off and guess...that's just stupidity, in the guise of 'historical' accuracy....

Cameron
 
I'm not sure if I saw this on a Fender 5-string, but they did add a special string tree that had an extension that went over the A string on some basses. But yes, an annoying problem. The best solution is to leave a good 4 1/2 inches of extra string past the A post, cut, dunk and wrap so the string has significant downward angle behind the nut.

A simple fix I've used is a twist tie from a bread bag. Just twist it enough to put a bit of tension on the A and E strings about 3/4 of an inch behind the nut and snip the ends. That lasted me for a couple of months until I decided on a set of 9050M's to get some relief in my neck. Added bonus was that the A string rattle went away.
 
It would have been even nicer if they had fixed the problem in the design that has been there since nineteen-fifty-frikin-one....

:rollno:

They're still putting out re-issue basses with the truss rod adjuster buried under the pickguard...you have to take the strings AND the neck off and guess...that's just stupidity, in the guise of 'historical' accuracy....

Cameron

This is EXACTLy why I would be reluctant to get a re-issue bass like that. They might be teriffic basses otherwise, but that would be a deal-killer for me.
 
For a simple fix on this and allow you to utilize the string that you have if it is still alive to your liking, is to wrap a simple plastic tie wrap TIGHTLY around the center of the post, and then wrap the string below it ... if the post is beveled, the wrap will slip upward .. you can also trim the excess of the tie wrap nice and close, and nobody will even know it is there ...