Please God, make it stop

[FitzFitz]

Since I first got this bass a few months ago, I noticed that when the A string is played open, it buzzed pretty badly. Didn't think much of it. Ajusted the neck and it was barely noticeable.

But it came back.

Now I realized it wasnt caused by frets, but that it actually seems to come from the nut. The A string lifts out of the nut almost effortlessly. (The E does as well, but no buzz)

I just put on a new bridge and nut, for upgrading purposes, but I also hoped this would eliminate the problem.

It got worse.

I have no idea. The strings on the machine head seem pretty high up, and there isnt much of a slant at the nut, so maybe there isnt enough pressure on it? The problem is Ive tried lowering it on the machine head, and it just. wont. budge. I'm lost.

 

[JustForSport]

You need enough winds on the tuners to wind the strings down to the bottom (3-4 usually)- that gives you a good 'break angle' over the nut and will keep them tight to the bottom of the slots when in tune.

 

[96tbird]

Yeah the A string needs to be wound down to the deck on a straight headstock. Four or more wraps. I never trim my A or E strings and get five wraps. Never a problem. I bought a Squier P bass with barely two wraps in the A and it buzzed; new strings, five wraps and problem solved.

You can slide it down and use a nylon wire tie to hold it there until you put new strings on.

Lotsa wraps looks cool to my eyes.

 

[FitzFitz]

But its supposed to wind upwards, isnt it?

 

[FitzFitz]

.......Im so mad at myself. I just trimmed the string thinking itd solve the problem. My logic was "If its shorter, it wont go as high up the head." But it did, and now it only wraps around once, and based off what you guys are saying, I basically screwed myself.

 

[FitzFitz]

I KNEW THIS!

What am I talking about, this was the first question I asked on tb. Downward. Fantastic.

 

[Oren Hudson]

I basically screwed myself.

Pretty much. General rule is go approximately twice the distance from one pole to the other for distance and cut. Then wind down to the bottom of the pole.

 

[BazzTard]

youtube is your friend for such things.

i learnt how to re-seat taps and replace toilet cisterns via youtube.

And how to set up basses.

Put up with the buzzing til you need new strings,or, buy single string replacements from bassstringsonline.com

 

[quickfix]

I KNEW THIS!

What am I talking about, this was the first question I asked on tb. Downward. Fantastic.

Easy mate. Don't beat yourself up. Just go buy ONE (1) new string and install it.

Don't you wish all life's problems were so easily solved?

 

[oysteivi]

On the upside, now that you've experienced why you want the winds to go down towards the base of the tuning post, you will never make this mistake again.

 

[96tbird]

One new string. Fixed. Relax. It's only a string. (Cue John Cleese)

 

[iiipopes]

Have Jason @ bassstringsonline.com mail you an A string, which you can purchase separately, and purchase a spare set from him to have on hand.

Oh - and that is EVENLY winding the wraps down to just barely clearing the bushing. Don't overlap or kink the winds.

Don't worry about cutting strings to short. I looked wrong, the ball wrap got stuck in the bridge, and I almost cut my G string too short just a month ago, after playing for many, many years.

 

[wisconsindead]

I had a friend help me with my very first string install and the first thing he did was cut the E string too short. It was barely enough to get it in tune with half a wrap. Thats the last time I let him touch my bass. The way I see it, get as many wraps as you can to maximize the break angle and cut the string if need be. Its a pain to wind so many times but if you play flats its a once a year-decade kind of deal.

 

[joebar]

the nut slot could be to wide as well.

 

[Robus]

Common annoyance. I thought I had my A string wound down pretty well but it still rattles. Could be the nut slot is a bit too wide from moving to a lighter gauge string. But it would have to be a bigger problem to make it worth it to me to fix that. Fender makes a cool product called the Steath Bass String Retainer, comes standard on the Deluxe line. But Fender doesn't have any for sale--part of their product line differentiation strategy is my guess.

If I ever find the string retainer for sale, I'll buy it. If I ever change the strings on this bass, I'll cut the new ones a little longer (but I expect to keep these strings for a long time.

So for now it's this:

One of my wife's hair bands. Secured on the opposite side with a small piece of thread. No more rattle.

 

[wvbass]

Common annoyance. I thought I had my A string wound down pretty well but it still rattles. Could be the nut slot is a bit too wide from moving to a lighter gauge string. But it would have to be a bigger problem to make it worth it to me to fix that. Fender makes a cool product called the Steath Bass String Retainer, comes standard on the Deluxe line. But Fender doesn't have any for sale--part of their product line differentiation strategy is my guess.

If I ever find the string retainer for sale, I'll buy it. If I ever change the strings on this bass, I'll cut the new ones a little longer (but I expect to keep these strings for a long time.

So for now it's this:

One of my wife's hair bands. Secured on the opposite side with a small piece of thread. No more rattle.

Hopefully, it won't be too much longer until you can buy a stealth retainer:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Robert Spencer]

use a capo above the nut to hold strings down in their slots if needed.

 

[JustForSport]

Or use a bar, like on a Strat- there are some made for string spacing on a 4-string. Avail on the 'bay.

Edit:
Something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bass-String...084?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item462d50494c

 

[Nic.]

Common annoyance. I thought I had my A string wound down pretty well but it still rattles. Could be the nut slot is a bit too wide from moving to a lighter gauge string. But it would have to be a bigger problem to make it worth it to me to fix that. Fender makes a cool product called the Steath Bass String Retainer, comes standard on the Deluxe line. But Fender doesn't have any for sale--part of their product line differentiation strategy is my guess.

If I ever find the string retainer for sale, I'll buy it. If I ever change the strings on this bass, I'll cut the new ones a little longer (but I expect to keep these strings for a long time.

So for now it's this:

One of my wife's hair bands. Secured on the opposite side with a small piece of thread. No more rattle.

I like your solution.

Does it work if you put it over all the strings instead? If it does, then it can also double as an open-string-mute if you need.

 

[Oren Hudson]

...but I expect to keep these strings for a long time.

So for now it's this:

Do me a favor Robus. Tell me what brand, size and where you got those strings. That color string binding looks identical (or nearly so) to the original strings that came on my 1966 Fender Precision that I bought new. I'd love to have that original color binding look back on the almost 49 year old thumper. Thanks!