Fender Bass Buzz on open A String

[MarkWtbyCT]

Just went to lower gauge strings on Fender Precision American Special. Now open A buzzes like crazy. I heard a solution is to cut up some bone material and super glue it in the nut slot, let it dry then recut the slot using a nut file. Is this correct?

 

[Abaroa]

Not an expert, but I have read here that with that kind of problem it often works to make sure the string is properly warped around the tuner, pushing it down on the nut.. good luck!

 

[scotch]

First thing to try is to get more break angle over the nut, more wraps around the tuning post is ideal or try to seat what wraps you have lower on the post.

Side to side rattle can be helped by reconstituting and re-slotting the nut slot.

9 times out of 10 it's the break angle on a Fender A string.

 

[Lownote38]

Wrap that string as low around the post as possible (more wraps for it are probably necessary). This definitely sounds like a break angle issue on that string.

 

[SasquatchDude]

+1 on the break angle.

I had the same thing on my Am Special Jazz... went away as soon as I replaced the string, cutting the new one longer to allow more wraps around the tuning post.

 

[MarkWtbyCT]

Actually the original A string was 0.085. The new set of strings (Ernie Ball) had an A string of 0.080. Went out and bought a set of Fender 7250M strings 0.045 0.065 0.085 0.105 and now all is well. That 0.005 can make a world of difference. So the moral of the story is the nut MUST be cut for the gauges of strings you will use.

 

[Stone Soup]

Actually the original A string was 0.085. The new set of strings (Ernie Ball) had an A string of 0.080. Went out and bought a set of Fender 7250M strings 0.045 0.065 0.085 0.105 and now all is well. That 0.005 can make a world of difference. So the moral of the story is the nut MUST be cut for the gauges of strings you will use.

Not normally. The angle across the nut is much more important. Having to wrap the A string further down on the post, on Fender style headstocks, has been a thing forever. I think you're fooling yourself.

 

[MarkWtbyCT]

Actually with the 0.080 the A string had 4 wraps around the post holding the string down all the way. Even while holding a finger on the A string midway between the tuner and the nut did not stop the buzz. Holding a finger right at the nut on the string would however. I'm happy. The bass has what the Fender website lists as the original strings it came with and all is well.

 

[Stone Soup]

Actually with the 0.080 the A string had 4 wraps around the post holding the string down all the way. Even while holding a finger on the A string midway between the tuner and the nut did not stop the buzz. Holding a finger right at the nut on the string would however. I'm happy. The bass has what the Fender website lists as the original strings it came with and all is well.

If string tension isn't enough to stop the string from buzzing in the nut, there could be an issue with the slot. Crooked slots or improper break angle... Have you filed the slots at all?