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Fender MIM problem

thorstiborsti

thorstiborsti

Aug 22, 2014
411
379
Lakeland, FL
#1
Hi everyone!

I’m having a problem with my MIM Fender basses.

About a month ago I went to my local Guitar Center and bought a brand new MIM P-bass (my first ever P-bass) in copper burst (beautiful color btw). After playing it for about 2 weeks, I noticed a ‘ringing’ sound coming from the neck when playing the ‘a’ string empty with a pick. I couldn’t locate the source of the noise so I took it back to GC to have them look at it. First thing their guy said was ‘wow you have a pretty bad bow in your neck’. I told him that this is how the bass was set up when I bought it and I didn’t make any adjustments myself. Then he said that the truss rod adjustment bolt was worn out like someone has been trying to adjust it. However he was able to fit a tool in there but still couldn’t adjust the truss rod because ‘it’s frozen and un-adjustable’. Long story short, they promised to take care of the problem and I got a replacement bass last week. However while I was there to have my P-bass looked at, I bought a brand new MIM Jazz bass (also my first ever J-bass). They made sure it was setup properly before I left there with it. But wouldn’t you know it, after playing it for about a week, I’m starting to hear the same ringing sound again… What’s going on? I’m just playing them at home, mainly with my fingers but sometimes with a pick.

Thank you guys!
 
#2
I had a similar issue with my A string on my MIM P bass, what it turned out to be for mine was a combination of the nut going out, and my tuner on that string was loosening itself and would cause a nasty rattle.
Tightened up the tuner and had a new bone nut carved for it and it plays like a dream now.
 
#8
1. A string needs better break angle behind the nut. Lowering string on post may work.

2. Never, ever, under any circumstances let GC touch an instrument of yours again. Buy gear from there all you want - sometimes they're the only option in town. But I wouldn't be surprised if your original bass had zero truss rod issues whatsoever. Find a good local music store. A really good one is worth the extra drive. Develop a relationship with the setup guy. I wouldn't take a Rogue to GC for a spit and shine, let alone a setup.
 
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#9
I would go back to the original store and have the issue either fixed or the bass exchanged for another. With brand new gear I am very hesitant to try to fix (or get someone other than the original store to fix) any problems... 1. there shouldn't be any problems that you even have to deal with, and 2. your attempt to fix something may in fact void the warranty and prevent you from being able to return it.
 
#10
Thank you Lethgar. I'll try and see if more pressure on the nut helps. I have to say that I started questioning the techs competence when he said he was going to add some superglue to the nut to raise up the a string to get rid of the noise. I stopped him because the bass was still under warranty and shouldn't be messed with. Sounds like you have your own experience with GC techs... I'll try to find a local setup guy. I read in an article that Jeff Berlin uses a guy in St. Pete. I might check him out.
 
#11
Likely putting pressure on the string behind the nut will cure the noise. This is a very common problem, wind string as far down on the tuning post as you can and that should fix it. You could also install a string bar to replace the string tree and hold down the A,D,and G strings.
 
#12
also recommend watching all the you tube videos you can on setting up your own instruments. John Caruthers has a series that shows how to do a complete set up. It is really not that difficult, and nobody knows how you like your bass set up better than you!
 
#13
thorstiborsti said:
I have to say that I started questioning the techs competence when he said he was going to add some superglue to the nut to raise up the a string to get rid of the noise.
Click to expand...

Almost lost my coffee. A 5 dollar string retainer almost always solves the problem. But I suppose arbitrarily adding glue to a nut slot could work too. :eyebrow:

You are on the right track in finding a local shop, good sir :) And all of this aside, congratulations on your new basses. MIMs can be a wonderful workhorse companion.
 
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#15
The ringing does not indicate anything wrong with your bass. What you are hearing is the string vibrating between the nut and the tuning peg.

As others have said, it comes from not enough down force on the string at the nut. The string retainer prevents this happening on the D and G strings, but it can still happen on the E and (especially) A strings. If you don't hear it through your amp, it's only a problem if it bugs you (it does bug me). If so, you can usually fix it by making sure you have enough string winds around the peg so that the winds are holding down the part of the string that runs toward the nut with sufficient force to dampen any ringing. (If that explanation isn't clear, have someone show you). Usually just loosening and re-tightening the string helps for me. If that isn't doing it, you can lower the peg. Or, make sure your nut is cut just right for the gauge of string you are using. If the notch is too large, it could let the string move around against the nut (too small and the string will bind, causing tuning problems).

This is a minor issue that is easily fixed. It's absolutely no reason to take back the bass that you like. Now, if you had a truss rod problem, that's another matter entirely.
 
#16
Lethgar said:
1. A string needs better break angle behind the nut. Lowering string on post may work.

2. Never, ever, under any circumstances let GC touch an instrument of yours again. Buy gear from there all you want - sometimes they're the only option in town. But I wouldn't be surprised if your original bass had zero truss rod issues whatsoever. Find a good local music store. A really good one is worth the extra drive. Develop a relationship with the setup guy. I wouldn't take a Rogue to GC for a spit and shine, let alone a setup.
Click to expand...

This is so true!
 
#17
First of all, thank you guys for all your replies. Reading through them, it really sounds like a string-tension-on-the-nut issue and I will check it out tonight.

@ unclebass: It being a common problem makes me feel better about MIM basses. I really thought I got 2 lemons... I definitely will check out the youtube videos as I want to become more familiar with setting up my basses

@ lethgar: Thank you. I'm really enjoying the p and j-bass

@ robus: Thank you for your reply. I will check the string position on the tuning peg and see if it can be improved. The sloit in the nut appears to be the right width, but thanks for the tip. I guess the truss-rod being bad was just discovered due to the ringing but that was the first thing that came to mind when my j-bass started doing it.
 
#18
The problem with rewinding the string so that it 'sits lower' on the tuning machine post, is that the posts are bevelled, and if the string is not cut with sufficient length to wind the string lower, it can just slip back up the beveled post ... it is a good idea when installing the A string to leave extra lenth to afford that extra winding to the bottom of the post and off the bevelled portion ... temporary fixes for this, if the string is cut too short, is to put a 'zip tie' (or two) around the middle of the bevel, and then wind the string below it .. if that solves the problem, when you change strings, allow for extra winds ...

also, a nut slot can appear fine, but if even cut a hair wide, it can lead to a buzzing as well .. another temp fix here to try to isolate the issue is a thin piece of paper placed in the slot to ever so slightly take up the space around the string in the slot yet still allowing it to slide free ... a couple 'MacGyver' 'fixes' that can help to isolate and determine the issue(s) ...
 
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