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Bass Case

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Jun 19, 2009
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Greetings from Bass Case, the new guy on the block. A couple of months ago I purchased my first EB bass. It's the StingRay 5HH in true gold with a maple fretboard. I have noticed twice,when bass is aggressively attacked,that one or two of the strings will slip out of tune. Could this be the tuners, and does anyone else have this problem? I don't see any way to tighten the tuners. The tuners on my Ibanez can be adjusted.
 

EBMM7181

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Only thing i can think of is that the strings are not installed properly. How many winds do you have on each string? What brand strings are on the bass?

And also, just how aggressively are you attacking the bass?
 

mynan

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Feb 25, 2007
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Spring Lake, MI
If the tuner slipped, the tuning key would move. Does it move? My 2 cents says it's not the tuner slipping.
 

Bass Case

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slipping tuning keys

The strings were measured with original factory string length.
 

Bass Case

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Jun 19, 2009
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slipping tuners

Forgot to mention I used Ernie Ball strings like the ones that came on the bass.
 

Bass Case

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Jun 19, 2009
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slipping tuners

Thanks guys for your input, it could simply be slipping strings. I'll keep a watch on it. This is my first maple neck and it sure seems finicky about staying where I want it. The temperature will fluctuate somewhat,in the building where I use it,and I do have to work more to keep it adjusted. I suppose this is a common reaction for an unfinished neck.
 

spideyjg

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Jan 10, 2009
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Never had a Schaller tuner slip on me but have had a few times the string slipped on the post.

Next string change make sure the tuning post is clean and has no lubricant of any kind on it. I always apply a little graphite dust to the nut slot and make sure it doesn't get elsewhere.

Agree on the 3 winds. Typically that is achieved cutting 4" of string past the post

Jim
 

adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
A wise man once advised me to never overlook the obvious.

You do have the end of the string going through the slot and tucked down into the hole, right?

I've seen some pretty wacky stuff when it comes to the way strings are wound around tuning machine posts.
 

Steamthief

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Oct 14, 2006
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Mentone Beach
I've found putting strings on all the EBMM basses I've had harder than my Fenders. The strings seem to work their way down the posts during the winding process really quickly, so I have to be really careful by the time I get to third wrap that they don't overlap what's already wound on the post.

The sound is worth it, though.
 

TSanders

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Jun 9, 2004
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Columbus, GA
Sounds liek a technique problem, not a tuner problem, IMO.

I could hit baseballs with my EBMMs and they still be in tune.......
 

spideyjg

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The strings seem to work their way down the posts during the winding process really quickly, so I have to be really careful by the time I get to third wrap that they don't overlap what's already wound on the post.

Kinda the whole idea of the tapered post. No ifs and or buts you end up with a good break angle over the nut. 3 winds is about all that will fit.

Got very spoiled on the tapered post and straight posts on other makes bug me when stringing.

It is just a better dang idea that Leo and the crew put on the very early MM and has continued.

Jim
 

oli@bass

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Jul 23, 2007
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Switzerland
If you hit pretty hard, it's more likely that on new strings you actually stretch the string.

I always stretch the strings pretty hard when installing them, that way there are no glitches afterwards. Learned that from a Billy Sheehan video...
 
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