SisterAbdullahX Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Been annoying me for a while now. G string on my otherwise gorgeous Fender CIJ Jazz Bass keeps going flat. Doesn't happen on the other three strings, can't be down to a duff string as it happened with last set as well. I always tune up to pitch, not down. Can the tuner be turned by the tension of the string? Tried tightening the screw on the back of the tuner but it's as tight as I can get it. I don't bend the G string or do any manic slapping. What gives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Maybe the tuner is duff & is slipping. Perhaps try swapping it with one of the others, then if the G holds it's tuning & the string that now has that tuner keeps going flat you'll know the tuner is defective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 The nature of the worm gear used on tuners is that they can only be rotated by the tuning button and not by the string post. If the tuner was slipping it would be either because the gears were worn or because the brackets holding the gears in place were allowing too much play in the gears causing them to un-mesh. In either case the result would be very obvious to see and feel. It could be that both G strings are faulty. I would suggest that the string isn't properly anchored in the tuning post and slipping out, causing it to go flat. How many turns of the string do you have around the post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 (edited) How do you play? Finger style? Pick? Slap and pop? What make of string? Edited May 17, 2016 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Because of all the dollar bills stuffed into it? 😉 (sorry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SisterAbdullahX Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 [quote name='therealting' timestamp='1463512368' post='3052013'] Because of all the dollar bills stuffed into it? 😉 (sorry) If I do wear a G string from time to time it's strictly a comfort thing... [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SisterAbdullahX Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1463512059' post='3052005'] How many turns of the string do you have around the post? [/quote] Four turns, DR Nickel Low Riders, so not cheapies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 [quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1463520544' post='3052085'] Four turns, DR Nickel Low Riders, so not cheapies! [/quote] I stopped using DRs a while ago as I got fed up with the amount of duff strings I was getting. Just sayin'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 It'll be the string binding in the nut slot. It's too tight, so get a tech to file it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 [quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1463520544' post='3052085'] Four turns, DR Nickel Low Riders, so not cheapies! [/quote] Unfortunately price is no indication of how good a string is. You are stretching your strings out when you fit them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1463524715' post='3052113'] It'll be the string binding in the nut slot. It's too tight, so get a tech to file it. [/quote] Or at the string retainer. I had exactly this problem with a Squier VMJ - the string windings would catch against the edge of the string retainer which meant that it was impossible to get the G string in tune since it would click into the next position either slightly flat or slightly sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 My Musicman SUB I recently acquired was doing this too, just restrung it with plenty of winds round the post and it's been fine since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SisterAbdullahX Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1463521293' post='3052089'] I stopped using DRs a while ago as I got fed up with the amount of duff strings I was getting. Just sayin'... [/quote] I love 'em. They seem to be lasting forever. And as I stated in post, the G on the last set (D'Addarios I think) had the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SisterAbdullahX Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1463524715' post='3052113'] It'll be the string binding in the nut slot. It's too tight, so get a tech to file it. [/quote] Yes, that could be worth a look, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Does it live in a case or bag? If so maybe the tuner is being moved when going in or out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 [quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1463509928' post='3051968'] Been annoying me for a while now. G string on my otherwise gorgeous Fender CIJ Jazz Bass keeps going flat. Doesn't happen on the other three strings, can't be down to a duff string as it happened with last set as well. I always tune up to pitch, not down. Can the tuner be turned by the tension of the string? Tried tightening the screw on the back of the tuner but it's as tight as I can get it. I don't bend the G string or do any manic slapping. What gives? [/quote] How many turns around the post? If you have many turns and there's a little slack between the turns... you'll go flat over a period of time until the slack is gone. How do you anchor the string on the post? The thinner string is more prone to not anchoring well if you're not paying attention... sharply bend the string so that it anchors in the post. I generally only use 1-2 turns[*], and provided it's well anchored the tuning is solid. Does the G-string nut slot stick a bit? If if does... it can cause the same issue. Similarly with string trees at times. [*] except E A strings on Fender type headstocks without a string tree, where you rely on several turns to ensure the string exits from the bottom and thus providing enough breaking angle over the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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