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Post subject: Rattling E String
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 4:42 pm
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So I recently replaced the strings on my Sting Model p-bass. I used medium gauge (.105 for the E) D'addario long scale strings (as far as I recall--that they were long scale is the important part). My E string has been buzzing/rattling since, so when I looked at the nut/saddle, the E string doesn't seem to sit in the saddle correctly, as the string kind of chokes down to a narrower width as it approaches the part of the string that goes around the peg. So instead of the big fat E string sitting snuggly about half way into the saddle, there is this significantly narrower part of the string lying in the saddle with space on either side. I can only assume that this is the cause of the buzz/rattle (which wasn't there with my previous strings, and I didn't change anything in the bridge).

The specs on the bass claim it has a scale of 34". I measured it and it seems more like 35". Long scale strings claim to work up to a scale of 36". The strings didn't, like, go into the bass incorrectly, so there isn't any reason that the long scale strings shouldn't be long enough. Any ideas on what went wrong? And does the most likely solution seem to be just get a new set of strings (possibly super long?) and replace them?


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 9:11 pm
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I think I'm confused but it sounds like you know what is wrong with your bass so.... it shouldn't be to hard to fix. :D


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:21 am
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stroker vance wrote:
I think I'm confused but it sounds like you know what is wrong with your bass so.... it shouldn't be to hard to fix. :D


Well, that is my hope :-)

In any case, in an attempt to clarify--the D'addario long scale E string I put on my bass gets thinner near the end you attach to the winding peg; the main part of the string is .105 wide (medium), but up at the top (i.e. the last 8 inches or so), it is like half as wide as that. It seems like, for whatever reason, the string isn't .105 wide at the point where it goes into the saddle on the nut. Which seems like it is the result of the string being too short, which is weird, as they were long scale strings, which should work on fender p-basses. But the string seems to be, like, an inch too short. Which, again, is weird.

I'm pretty sure that is the problem, and have some new super long strings on the way to replace the short one. Mostly I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this particular issue :-)


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:33 am
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I'd say the strings were incorrectly marked and were short scale-- long scale is what you want. I'd go with Rotosound and never have that problem again but that's just me. Now you did not say if you string thru the back of the guitar body. If you do you need extra long strings-- and still Rotos have that.


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:17 am
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stroker vance wrote:
I'd say the strings were incorrectly marked and were short scale-- long scale is what you want. I'd go with Rotosound and never have that problem again but that's just me. Now you did not say if you string thru the back of the guitar body. If you do you need extra long strings-- and still Rotos have that.


Yeah, the strings do go through the body. So possibly between that and maybe mismarked strings, that would explain things.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:40 pm
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you need extra long strings for string thru. I haven't used other strings but I know if I string thru the body I have to have EX Rotos to do the job. I imagine there are some companies that have all eX type strings.


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:46 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
you need extra long strings for string thru. I haven't used other strings but I know if I string thru the body I have to have EX Rotos to do the job. I imagine there are some companies that have all eX type strings.


Ok, that seems reasonable. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:33 pm
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Correct. you need extra length for body-through setups.


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Post subject: Re: Rattling E String
Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 5:36 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
Correct. you need extra length for body-through setups.


So yeah, the answer was that I needed super long scale strings. A new super long scale E string fixed everything.

Which is weird, as I have certainly changed strings on this bass before (although not that often, as I tend to keep a single set for years :-), and don't recall ever specifically getting super long scale strings. And it was only the E string that wasn't long enough. Although this is the first time I ever used D'addario strings before. So maybe they just are kooky that way.

In any case, thanks for the input everyone!


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