Hey, guys. I recently bought two gut strings (G&D) and while I had no problem putting on the G, I've encountered a problem with the D: at first it didn't pass through the peg, so I sanded the wood around it. Now, I think I should have sanded more. I tried copying a violin string knot but ended up with the string stuck. I managed to tune it up to D but decided to take it out as the nut needed to be deeper. I started to tune down and at that moment I could no longer give up, just down. Then, it stuck at F#(1) and now I can't make it move. Any tips?
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Double Bass Stuck Gut D String
- Thread starter pulpo
- Start date
Hey, guys. I recently bought two gut strings (G&D) and while I had no problem putting on the G, I've encountered a problem with the D: at first it didn't pass through the peg, so I sanded the wood around it. Now, I think I should have sanded more. I tried copying a violin string knot but ended up with the string stuck. I managed to tune it up to D but decided to take it out as the nut needed to be deeper. I started to tune down and at that moment I could no longer give up, just down. Then, it stuck at F#(1) and now I can't make it move. Any tips?
Not with your current description which for me is not really understandable (be more precise/correct).
My guess is that the string got clamped either in the nut groove or between the back (or side) of the pegbox and the peg.
The tuner mechanic should be able to turn the peg back. If not you got a real problem. If you can turn it in the downward direction but the string keeps the pitch then it is clamped in the nut slot.
But your string might have been damaged by the friction against the wood of the pegbox back. If this is the case winding some thread below, over that part and above helps to avoid unraveling of the broken guts.
Good luck!
My guess is that the string got clamped either in the nut groove or between the back (or side) of the pegbox and the peg.
The tuner mechanic should be able to turn the peg back. If not you got a real problem. If you can turn it in the downward direction but the string keeps the pitch then it is clamped in the nut slot.
But your string might have been damaged by the friction against the wood of the pegbox back. If this is the case winding some thread below, over that part and above helps to avoid unraveling of the broken guts.
Good luck!
That's right, it's stuck in the pegbox. Since the string is thick, I sanded the slot between the peg and pegbox, but it wasn't deep enough. I'll try to take it out with a thread like you said. Thanks!
If after all this the string is still usable, does anybody know of a way to deepen that place (between peg and pegbox)? I was trying not to take out all 4 strings, but it looks like it's the only way.
If after all this the string is still usable, does anybody know of a way to deepen that place (between peg and pegbox)? I was trying not to take out all 4 strings, but it looks like it's the only way.
Your explanation is difficult to understand, but the pictures tell stories.
1. You installed and tightened the D string the wrong way. The string should come off the peg over the top. In other words, you turned the tuner the wrong way. Look at the A string; it is correct.
2. The nut grooves look bad. Each string should lie at least halfway "proud" of its groove, and there should be no room for the string to move sideways in its grooves. The E, A, and G grooves are way too deep, the E groove is too wide, and the D groove is not deep enough.
3. there is no need for the string to have so many turns around the peg. Put enough of the string through the peg hole so that the string does not rub against the cheek of the peg box when tuned to pitch.
You write "I started to tune down and at that moment I could no longer give up, just down." If you mean that you can't tune the string UP, that's okay, because you shouldn't be trying to do that. You should take the string off and start again - AFTER fixing the nut situation. Buena suerte!
1. You installed and tightened the D string the wrong way. The string should come off the peg over the top. In other words, you turned the tuner the wrong way. Look at the A string; it is correct.
2. The nut grooves look bad. Each string should lie at least halfway "proud" of its groove, and there should be no room for the string to move sideways in its grooves. The E, A, and G grooves are way too deep, the E groove is too wide, and the D groove is not deep enough.
3. there is no need for the string to have so many turns around the peg. Put enough of the string through the peg hole so that the string does not rub against the cheek of the peg box when tuned to pitch.
You write "I started to tune down and at that moment I could no longer give up, just down." If you mean that you can't tune the string UP, that's okay, because you shouldn't be trying to do that. You should take the string off and start again - AFTER fixing the nut situation. Buena suerte!
If the string isn’t changing pitch no matter what you do with the tuning key, you should be able to get the string to release by gently pulling it up and out from the bridge.
And if it's still stuck after all that, unscrew the tuning post.
I always reacquaint myself with this Upton bass instructional video before changing strings. It demonstrates a useful winding technique to prevent strings from rubbing against the pegbox.
Thank you all for your answers! I took it out by first undoing the knot behind the tailpiece. After taking the whole string, I realised the reason the peg didn't turn was because the gear was loose! I replaced the string with a metal spare one and decided to wait until the full gut set arrives and I get my luthier to do a setup (a lot of things need to widen). Thanks!
YES! Lots of setup related things have to change when a DB is moved from thin high tension strings (usually metal) to thick low tension strings (usually synthetics or guts) or vice versa. Glad to hear that you're planning a trip to your luthier, some of those setup related things can require a lot of expertise.
Best of fortune with al this!
Best of fortune with al this!
