Fender MIM problem

[Son of Wobble]

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) ...

Great low budget tips from the trenches here! Another I can add, which was laid on me by Eric of Eric's Guitars in LA, a highly respected repair and setup shop, is to use a razor to shave pencil lead into the slots of your nut so as to help lubricate the strings. Eric feels this method works better than commercial lubricants which cost incalculably more.

Sometimes low budget solutions are best -- and some times low budget guitars are best. I love my MIM fretless jazz neck, which now lives on a p/j body. The whole MIM jazz was/is indeed solid.

 

[tjh]

... 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)...

... just something else of note here ... that Copper Metallic Burst was a limited edition color Fender used in 2011 ... so that 'brand new' bass had probably been hanging on their wall and gettting torqued on for over 3 years before they let you leave the store with a ski jump neck and stripped out truss rod nut ...

 

[fjadams]

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.

WHAT? If somebody ever told me they'd fix my bass by adding superglue to the nut I'd pack up and leave immediately. That's just crazy.

Think he'd be better off at his previous job of selling iPhone cases at Best Buy.

 

[Iridescentone]

WHAT? If somebody ever told me they'd fix my bass by adding superglue to the nut I'd pack up and leave immediately. That's just crazy.

Think he'd be better off at his previous job of selling iPhone cases at Best Buy.

Actually super glue with baking soda is a time honored way to build up a nut slot that is cut too deep. Works great and most savvy techs know when to use it. Also, super glue with rosewood sawdust makes a virtually undetectable repair on some damaged fretboards. Finish cracks, filling dings on necks, etc. The stuff is indispensable for guitar techs.

 

[fjadams]

Actually super glue with baking soda is a time honored way to build up a nut slot that is cut too deep. Works great and most savvy techs know when to use it. Also, super glue with rosewood sawdust makes a virtually undetectable repair on some damaged fretboards. Finish cracks, filling dings on necks, etc. The stuff is indispensable for guitar techs.

I knew about using for fixing things, like mixing with sawdust, etc. Never used it on a nut, I've always just replaced them. Guess it makes sense, just never had it done. Or maybe I did and didn't know it but paid for new nut and repair anyway.

 

[thorstiborsti]

Thanks again for all of your replies guys! So when I came home, I checked out my tuning peg. Plenty of string on the peg, with the string coming off the bottom of the peg to go to the nut. Strumming the empty a-string, I put pressure on it right after the nut and voila, the noise is gone. Tried taking tension off the string and re-tuned but it didn't help. Then I tried tjh's paper fix and the noise went away., so I guess I will be looking into filling in the nut now...

 

[tjh]

Thanks again for all of your replies guys! So when I came home, I checked out my tuning peg. Plenty of string on the peg, with the string coming off the bottom of the peg to go to the nut. Strumming the empty a-string, I put pressure on it right after the nut and voila, the noise is gone. Tried taking tension off the string and re-tuned but it didn't help. Then I tried tjh's paper fix and the noise went away., so I guess I will be looking into filling in the nut now...

... FWIW, I have a bass that has had a thin piece of paper in the slot for almost a year ...no sense rushing into things here ... just cut the paper so that it isn't real visible and call it good for now ... if you are contemplating any kind of string change anytime soon, you may end up going to a thicker gauge A string down the road, and it will probably be fine as is ... kind of depends on if the slot is cut too low or too wide ..

 

[thorstiborsti]

Good point. I think I'll leave the paper in and go a size up on my strings next time I change them. Thank you tjh!

 

[Steve Dallman]

Baking soda and superglue catalyze into a substance harder than the nut and works well for permanent repairs to low nut slots.