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Circle K strings...

#847
KingRazor said:
Ok so something has been bugging me about the G on my bass.

When I pluck the string a certain way, I hear this weird, harsh overtone that can be heard very clearly acoustically.

I have a recording that I EQ'd to emphasize the sound, since it's hard to hear recorded/amplified: Download Gstringsound.mp3 - Kiwi6.com Mp3 Upload

Any idea what may be causing that?
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It's the nut. The string is rattling in the groove.
 
#849
Loosen the string enough to pull it away from the nut; from your description of what helped there is something to the angle of the string as it is sitting in the slot so check it. Perhaps the part of the string that is resting on the nut is on the side of the nut furthest away from the fretboard, instead of vice versa (due to the string tree). Ideally, the string should vibrate from the side where the nut contacts the fretboard.

I'm no expert though, you may want to post over in the luthier's forum. Perhaps the windings on the string are also loose and may aggravate the condition, who knows. Best of luck.
 
#850
KingRazor said:
Any fixes for it other than replacing the nut?
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Maybe. The slot may have been poorly cut, such that the end facing the fingerboard is flared out. Or that end of the slot may have a dip in it, such that the string is not supported at the fingerboard side. If the slot isn't already cut to its correct, maximum depth, it's probably salvageable, in the hands of a setup guy who knows what's what.
If not, a new nut isn't a big deal. If you want to go the ghetto route, wrap a tiny piece of paper around the string at the nut, and press it back into the slot.
 
#851
ixlramp said:
Well there are others here whose experience is that CKs feel very loose for their gauge due to their extreme flexibility, so it's a good idea to choose the next heavier set to the one suggested by the gauges. But hey Skip at CKS will be happy to help you find the right set, he's the expert :)
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When I ordered my strings, their website said they were at NAMM but I wrote several emails to them before that and haven't heard anything. Can someone tell me their experience with time to receive email replies and time to receive strings ordered? thanks.
 
#852
ericjschroeder said:
When I ordered my strings, their website said they were at NAMM but I wrote several emails to them before that and haven't heard anything. Can someone tell me their experience with time to receive email replies and time to receive strings ordered? thanks.
Click to expand...

How long ago before that? Most companies have to spend a week or two prepping and setting up for the show.

In any case, other than some email issues a while back (mostly due to the email servers and moving shop), I haven't heard any email complaints.

What are your questions, though? Many of us can probably help you.
 
#853
Here's a couple of pics of my nut, perhaps they'll reveal something?

Photo044.jpg


Photo045.jpg
 
#854
FunkMetalBass said:
How long ago before that? Most companies have to spend a week or two prepping and setting up for the show.

In any case, other than some email issues a while back (mostly due to the email servers and moving shop), I haven't heard any email complaints.

What are your questions, though? Many of us can probably help you.
Click to expand...

My questions are: Have you ordered strings from them? How long did it take to get them? I'd like a reply to my emails but the questions were about the strings so I ordered anyway without a reply and I'd rather have the strings but haven't had any response about my order either. If you can help about that, great.
 
#856
ericjschroeder said:
My questions are: Have you ordered strings from them? How long did it take to get them? I'd like a reply to my emails but the questions were about the strings so I ordered anyway without a reply and I'd rather have the strings but haven't had any response about my order either. If you can help about that, great.
Click to expand...

I have ordered strings from them, on multiple occasions. Every time, I got them within a week.

I'm in the US, and CKS ships priority mail. Typically, that means 3-5 business days ship time from one side of the country to the other.

In extenuating circumstances (CKS is at NAMM, they're out of a particular string gauge, etc.), the order will take longer, but I believe CKS would contact you about your order if it's going to be delayed. Their customer service is pretty good.

cassius987 said:
Hey KingRazor, you need to put the string under the wrap on the tuning post, not above it, to get a better break angle over the nut. This won't fix your G string as I assume it's under the string tree but still, it will help the A and E at least.
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This. The string should extend from the nut to the bottom of the string post and then coil up from there. In essence, when you wind, you wind from the top down.
 
#858
KingRazor said:
Really? Weird. That's how they wound them up at the shop I took the bass to.
Click to expand...

The idea is to increase the break angle over the nut to hold the string down in the groove. This helps to stop the string from vibrating in the nut slots.

Why the shop did it that way baffles me. If you take anything there again, you might want to specify that you want them to wind it the other way, though. There's no reason to do it the way they did.
 
#860
Well, to be honest I wasn't impressed when I got my bass back from their shop.

The open E string would rattle against the frets when played firmly, even though the A, D and G strings would not when I played that firmly on them.

I think I'm going to do my own setup work from now on.
 

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