Tuning Issues

[Geri O]

G'morning, ya'll.

I've been having some tuning issues with this particular and otherwise positively gorgeous and awesome bass since I bought it in January. They are pretty minor and I can deal with them, but lately, I've wanted to see if I can solve the problem.

The B, E, and A stings tune fine and are stable. The D and G strings are difficult to stabilize. I tune them and I find a little later that the tuning has wandered by a few cents. Nothing that most anyone would notice. I find that if I tune the strings, then "pop" the strings against the fingerboard, the tuning moves slightly sharp. That would tell be that the strings are binding somewhere in the string length. I've included some pics of the two strings and the path past the nut to the tuners. Note that I put two small washers under the string tree (much against my better judgement to second-guess the builders of this wonderful bass), thinking that the tree was sitting pretty low and might be the source of the binding. But it's still binding somewhere (and there can't be that many places to bind).

I'm about to head out of town for a gig, but when I return, I will get some graphite and lube the nut grooves and the string tree.

Any other ideas? This is something I can live with, if need be. The bass is certainly worth the trouble. As always, thanx in advance!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Hate those durn things. Do they make a graphite "T" (...or similar) for basses?

Riis

 

[vanderbe]

Try using the Ernie Ball instructions below to help get the tuning firm and set.

 

[Turnaround]

If you “pop” the strings and they go sharp, the strings are most likely binding at the nut. You may need to get the nut adjusted for the strings you are using.

 

[Geri O]

If you “pop” the strings and they go sharp, the strings are most likely binding at the nut. You may need to get the nut adjusted for the strings you are using.

Yeah, I’m using Power Slinkies which are a little heavier gauge than usual.

I’m pretty faint-hearted when it comes to messing with the frets or the nut. There’s a local guy I feel pretty good about looking at this.

Thanx for the suggestion.

 

[Geri O]

I believe I have this issue wrapped up.

I called that fellow that I trust implicitly, but stays so very busy with repairs and now building an apparently very fine acoustic guitar that the local players are raving about and all but standing in line for.

He's agreed have me bring in the bass on Thursday (the 29th of August 2019) and slightly widen the nut grooves to hopefully alleviate the tuning issue. He believes, as Turnaround does, that the nut slots need widening a little to accommodate my slightly bigger strings. He's the only guy around that I trust to do this work and not screw up the action, which is positively heavenly at the moment.

I'll report back with the outcome afterwards.

Thanx!

 

[Geri O]

If anyone is still following this post, I had the nut slots slightly filed to accommodate the slightly bigger strings I use.

No more tuning problems. The strings tune and stay there with no binding in the nut slot. I should have done this a long time ago.

I’m sure some pencil graphite helped.