"A" String problem on HWY 1 Bass

[brianf]

Picked up a new Hwy 1 about a month ago and a small problem just developed.

I'm not getting enough downward pressure at the nut on my A string. The string is rattling at the nut. If I put even the slightest pressure on the string behind the nut the rattle goes away.

How do you solve this? It's not like on a guitar where and extra couple of wraps on the post will do the trick. Do I have to add a second string tree??? I've never seen a second tree on a 4 string Bass.

Thanks for any help.

brianf

[Rhian Batson]

Hmm ... well, make sure the bass string is wound correctly first. I mean the string should have 3 wounds around the peg (more wraps around the peg does not equal better contact at the nut), with the final wind leaving the string as close to the headstock as possible creating adequate nut contact pressure. The string should have a downward decent/angle from the nut towards the headstock. If the string continues straight towards the tuning machine peg without any and/or sufficient break/angle starting at the nut and ending at the peg, their will be insufficient contact at the nut, thus you'll get a buzz.

[brianf]

Hi Rhian:

I have 3 wraps on it now. They are decending. I just need a touch more tension. Any idea why this just started tonight???

Thanks
brianf

[Rhian Batson]

Bad string is my first thought. Try a different A string and see if that helps.

[brianf]

For now I put a very thin piece of paper in the slot and it worked.

brianf

[Rhian Batson]

If that is the case, it sounds like the nutslot for the A string was not cut correctly - too deep. You can buy a replacement nut for Jazz basses IIRC which should fix the problem or if the bass is under warranty, you could go that route if you dont feel comfortable working on your guitars.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a different A string? Strings fatigue and albiet quite rare, even some new strings are bad from the get go. Anyhow, good luck.

:)