What's Up With My Nut?

[BarkSlayer]

Having played bass for less than a week now, I just put a new set of strings on my MIM P-Bass and discovered the A string is dead. With the guitar in tune, I can lift it completely out of the nut. Is that normal? What did I do wrong here?

 

[frozilla]

youre nut might be cracked. bring it to a guitar shop and have them check it out.

 

[Grayson C.]

The exact same thing happened to my MIM p-bass.

Only it was the E and A strings and it caused both of them to rattle when played open.

I notice you've put something red over the string and nut - I did the same with two small pieces of gum and my bass wroked alright. I believe it's a probably with the nut itself, perhaps the spacing has worn a bit and made the gap wider than it should be.

 

[mike1762]

I busted a nut one time...

 

[funkyfretless]

damn....you "beat" me to it!

 

[ia02]

I too was having this problem when I first bought a used p bass. Mine was a very loose string caused by a WIDE nut slot. I ended up cutting a new bone nut from scratch, keeping the nut slots the EXACT right width for the strings. This is done using a good set of nut files for best results. It doesn't look like you need that though....

In your case it looks like the string is wound wrong. You should shove the end of the string into the tuner (down into the hole) and wrap DOWN from there. You need to have as much "break angle" over the nut as possible to avoid buzz/rattles. In my experience (on basses with straight headstocks, like your fender) you need to have the string literally touching the tuner bushing as it leaves the stringpost on all strings not under a string tree (E and A in your case). That will give the string maximum break angle. If you don't know what break angle is do a google search, you'll find out. It is very important for tone and sustain...

 

[BarkSlayer]

I notice you've put something red over the string and nut - I did the same with two small pieces of gum and my bass wroked alright.

I put the red thing on there in PhotoShop just to draw attention to the spot I was talking about. I'll try rewinding for a better break angle, as it appears I've done it upside down, with as little break angle as possible.

 

[EagleMoon]

It definitely looks like you've got the string wound wrong. Try redoing it and see if it helps.

 

[BoopersOwner]

I think you should consult a medical professional about that, not a bass forum In all seriousness though:

I too was having this problem when I first bought a used p bass. Mine was a very loose string caused by a WIDE nut slot. I ended up cutting a new bone nut from scratch, keeping the nut slots the EXACT right width for the strings. This is done using a good set of nut files for best results. It doesn't look like you need that though....

In your case it looks like the string is wound wrong. You should shove the end of the string into the tuner (down into the hole) and wrap DOWN from there. You need to have as much "break angle" over the nut as possible to avoid buzz/rattles. In my experience (on basses with straight headstocks, like your fender) you need to have the string literally touching the tuner bushing as it leaves the stringpost on all strings not under a string tree (E and A in your case). That will give the string maximum break angle. If you don't know what break angle is do a google search, you'll find out. It is very important for tone and sustain...

+1, Ia02 hit the nail on the head it looks like. Hope that helps, and welcome to the wonderful world of low-end!

-Joe P.

 

[anyonefortennis]

Check this out on how to string at the peg correctly

 

[JZQuantum]

I try to make sure I get at least 3-4 wraps on the peg. You gotta make sure you get at least this much on the A string because there is no string tree to put pressure on the nut. The wraps do this. Without the correct wrapping, you get a dead bass.

And as the other folks have said, put the end of the string in the hole first, and gently bend it to be 90 degrees until you can start turning the tuning peg. You should also invest in a string winder. This makes the job much easier. Should be 4-5 bucks.

I just saw a YT vid that showed a guy who installed a second round string retainer button over the E and A. Never tried this, but give it a thought.