Worried about my headstock (images applied)

[Sigge]

I just bought new strings and normally I cut them down a bit before I attach them to the tuning pegs but I didn't for whatever reason this time and the thing near the bottom near the neck got bent (sorry, don't know what it's called in english)

I've always found it to be a bit too close and I believe it has been the reason why the B string is so hard to tune, I don't really know what it's there for. My other basses goes directly to the tuning pegs. My questions are:

Should I turn it in to repair to be changed?
What is its use? Is it necessary?
Can it be changed to a different mechanic?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Um..., the B and G strings are supposed to go under the retainer bar (that's what it's called) at the outer ends, on the outside of the screws. That will solve your problem.

You should also learn to do a neater job wrapping the strings on the tuner posts. The strings should wrap 3-5 turns around the post, not overlapping. Neat, side-by-side turns, like a spring or a screw thread. That will also help your tuning stability.

 

[Sigge]

Um..., the B and G strings are supposed to go under the retainer bar (that's what it's called) at the outer ends, on the outside of the screws. That will solve your problem.

You should also learn to do a neater job wrapping the strings on the tuner posts. The strings should wrap 3-5 turns around the post, not overlapping. Neat, side-by-side turns, like a spring or a screw thread. That will also help your tuning stability.

Thank you! I'll redo the entire thing then
No ones ever taught me how to do any of it really, the struggles of being selftaught.. Thank god for this forum

 

[friedlbug]

I don't have a Fender 5-string to compare it to, but are those screws missing some bushings?

 

[Sigge]

I don't have a Fender 5-string to compare it to, but are those screws missing some bushings?

Sorry, not my first language, what are bushings?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Sorry, not my first language, what are bushings?

The screws are put through them to set the retainer at a stable height.

 

[C_Becker]

The string retainer looks too low to me, creating too much pressure at the nut.
Also, the stringing is a mess. 2 or 3 turns around the tuner are enough, and every turn should be below the last one.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

The string retainer could be low. One thing I've done when adding or switching a retainer like that is to neatly string up the B, or E on a four string, without the retainer and then match that angle on the other strings by screwing it in until they're the same.

 

[Sigge]

The string retainer looks too low to me, creating too much pressure at the nut.
Also, the stringing is a mess. 2 or 3 turns around the tuner are enough, and every turn should be below the last one.

Will do! What do you suggest doing about the retainer?

 

[C_Becker]

Me personally, I'd just leave it off and just use one of the classic, round ones for the D&G string.

But you can try not screwing it down so much first. And the B and G string need to be outside the screws.

 

[Sigge]

View attachment 1136947The screws are put through them to set the retainer at a stable height.

I don't have a Fender 5-string to compare it to, but are those screws missing some bushings?

Nothing have gone off since i bought it two years ago, are you saying I should change the screws?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Nothing have gone off since i bought it two years ago, are you saying I should change the screws?

You first need to find bushings that are the right height.
Then remove the retainer and screws.
Put the bushings over the holes that the screws were in.
Put the retainer and screws through the bushings and into the holes in the headstock.

Also make sure the B and G strings pass under the outside of the screws of the retainer.

 

[Pilgrim]

Good notes above.

More good news - you have more string length than you need, so you can correct the strings easily.

Take them off, cut each string about four finger-widths past the matching tuner.

Bend about 3/8" of the string end 90 degrees and insert that end into the hollow core of the tuner.

Turn the tuner and wrap the strings downward, preferably getting one wrap over the string where it exits the tuner slot, then downward so that the string comes off the bottom of each tuner. This gives you a better string angle where it contacts the nut, and will reduce strain on the string retainer (which looks like it's a bit too close to the headstock.)

When you do this, if in doubt, leave the string a bit longer (maybe one extra finger width) the first time. You don't want to do this many times, but leaving yourself room for one re-do isn't bad.

As my dad used to say, "No matter how many times you cut if off, it's still too short."

 

[sissy kathy]

You have a bad witness point on the B string too. A better witness point will help with tuning/intonation. There needs to be a sharp angle where the string passes over the nut (and saddle.)

 

[dtripoli]

That looks like my bass the first time I changed the strings....which was in the second half of the last century.
No one told me to trim the string end and insert it into the hole in the middle of the tuner then start winding.
Couldn't figure out why all my strings kept going flat or came unstrung.

 

[bolophonic]

Nothing have gone off since i bought it two years ago, are you saying I should change the screws?

Just get the strings lined up and wrapped correctly and don't worry about replacing anything on the retainer.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Will do! What do you suggest doing about the retainer?

I would leave it off until after you redo the strings, and then let's reassess whether you want to continue using it or replace it. It does look bent.

 

[C_Becker]

 

[HeavyDuty]

That should really be a forum sticky. And now it is. Thanks for digging it up!

 

[C_Becker]

You are welcome. While you are at it, I found those helpful as well: