Problems with my G string

[yourwhathurts69]

on my bass, that is. it keeps slipping off! i've had several musicman stingray 5 bass, and i've played even more. with everyone, i always seem to have the same problem with the G string slipping off the edge of the bass, especially with pull-offs or when playing in the 5th-9th fret area.

i've adjusted my playing to make it work (because MM basses rock!), but it annoys the heck out of me. i have not had this problem on any other musicman stingray or sterling bass - just on the stingray 5s. it seems like SR5s just don't have a lot of space between the string and the edge of the fretboard. also, it seems like the frets are angled a lot longer than on some other basses (kind of like a long incline instead of a cliff - the long incline takes up a lot more of what could be a level surface).

so, what can i do? should i have the nut replaced to shift the strings away from the G string edge, or maybe just have the string spacing at the nut a little tighter? maybe i could have the middle frets changed so the incline doesn't extend so far towards the center of the fretboard (giving me a bit more of a flat surface where the string and the frets touch). maybe i just need to learn how to play the bass correctly. are there others who have this same problem???

i hope this all makes sense. i'll try to post some photos later to give a better view of what i mean. I love the Stingray 5, but i just can't get past this problem.

thanks

[Bloodfist]

Your pulling the string the wrong way. I don't play 5'ers, but I can do the same thing with my G on the 4 string, as well as the E string. If it happens on pulloffs, your doing them way to hard. On bends, Bend up not down. If it's happening when your just playing regularly, I would say you need to look at your style, and correct it. I'm sorry to say it, but I have a hard time believing the bass has a flaw in design, it has to be in your playing style.

[RobertB]

I'd have to agree with bloodfist. It happens to you consistently on multiple SR5's + It doesn't happen to anyone else that I know of (and there are quite a number of SR5 players here, including myself in the past) = your technique is the cultprit.

This takes into account the purely hypothetical possibility that some sr5-specific difference may explain why, as you said, this doesn't happen to you on other EBMM basses. That possibility doesn't negate the final conclusion, however, which, to state more specifically, would be that your technique in some cases is such that this happens to you on sr5's, and not on other EBMM basses.

Edit: I totally forgot: Welcome to the forum, fellow EBMM player.

[maddog]

I was hoping you meant the style of underwear and pictures were involved.

Try working on your technique. Maybe get a bass lesson to get an experienced teacher to look at what your doing. I've never experienced this issue myself so otherwise, don't know what to recommend.

[bovinehost]

Originally Posted by yourwhathurts69

on my bass, that is. it keeps slipping off! i've had several musicman stingray 5 bass, and i've played even more. with everyone, i always seem to have the same problem with the G string slipping off the edge of the bass, especially with pull-offs or when playing in the 5th-9th fret area.

I think your question has really been answered already but I'll add this and then hopefully you'll have enough information to go forward.

The Stingray 5 has a rather narrow neck for a fiver, making it very comfortable to play for those of us who grew up on four-bangers. That also means the G string is closer to the edge (the B, too) than on some other fivers. If you tend to pull down on the G string, you might not have noticed it on other basses.

You'll be more likely to notice it on the SR5.

I had no idea I was pulling on the G until I got my first SR5, at which point it became clear that this is exactly what I was doing. I had to pay attention! I had to think about not yanking the G! And within a month or so, the "problem" had disappeared. Didn't even have to think about it anymore.

I've played my Stingray 5s steadily for well over a decade, and other than that first month or so, I have never pulled the G off the board.

So I wouldn't modify the nut if I were you. I mean, that might work, but so will my method and you won't have to modify anything except your brain, which is way easier than modifying your nut.

Ahem.



Jack

[sjb]

Originally Posted by yourwhathurts69

on my bass, that is. it keeps slipping off! i've had several musicman stingray 5 bass, and i've played even more. with everyone, i always seem to have the same problem with the G string slipping off the edge of the bass, especially with pull-offs or when playing in the 5th-9th fret area.

i've adjusted my playing to make it work (because MM basses rock!), but it annoys the heck out of me. i have not had this problem on any other musicman stingray or sterling bass - just on the stingray 5s. it seems like SR5s just don't have a lot of space between the string and the edge of the fretboard. also, it seems like the frets are angled a lot longer than on some other basses (kind of like a long incline instead of a cliff - the long incline takes up a lot more of what could be a level surface).

so, what can i do? should i have the nut replaced to shift the strings away from the G string edge, or maybe just have the string spacing at the nut a little tighter? maybe i could have the middle frets changed so the incline doesn't extend so far towards the center of the fretboard (giving me a bit more of a flat surface where the string and the frets touch). maybe i just need to learn how to play the bass correctly. are there others who have this same problem???

i hope this all makes sense. i'll try to post some photos later to give a better view of what i mean. I love the Stingray 5, but i just can't get past this problem.

thanks

What you're describing is the over-beveling of the ends of the frets. EBMM 5 string basses already have a fingerboard that couldn't be any narrower and the way the ends of the frets are finished essentially makes the width of the fingerboard even narrower. In my opinion it's not a flaw in your technique that's the problem.

DISCLAIMER FOR ALL OF THE EBMM FAITHFUL: I LOVE THE TONE, FEEL (34" SCALE LENGTH) AND LOOKS OF MUSICMAN 5 STRINGS. I JUST BOUGHT A STERLING 5H. THERE ARE NO SIMILAR MUSICMAN STYLE INSTRUMENTS THAT I LIKE, THAT'S WHY I STICK WITH EBMM.

Anyhow, you have a few options:

1. Take the bass for a fret job. Specify that you want the ends of the new frets
to be finished with a subtle round-over, rather than a steep bevel.

2. If there's a gap in your neck pocket you can re-set the neck:

-Remove the neck.
-Plug the mounting holes with maple dowels and carpenters glue.
-Set the neck back in the neck pocket and re-drill the screw holes with the neck
in a position that puts the G string away from the edge of the fingerboard.

3. Sell your current bass and find a new (or used) one that has the neck set
in a way that places the G string further away from the edge of the
fingerboard and plays more to your liking.

The relationship of the G string to the edge of the fingerboard and the way that the edges of the frets are finished, are the first things that I check out when I play a EBMM 5 that I'm considering purchasing. These things do vary, somewhat, from bass to bass.

Good Luck.

[bovinehost]

Originally Posted by sjb

What you're describing is the over-beveling of the ends of the frets. EBMM 5 string basses already have a fingerboard that couldn't be any narrower and the way the ends of the frets are finished essentially makes the width of the fingerboard even narrower. In my opinion it's not a flaw in your technique that's the problem.

Well, I've been voted Least Likely To Flay and Eat Those With Differing Opinions, so let's stipulate that we both like these basses and be done with that. So stipulated? Word.

Okay.

Let's not call it a "flaw" in technique, because anyone besides me might get a little jumpy about flawed technique. Let's call it an adjustment.

Otherwise, I can't explain how I (o he of little to no real technique) initially pulled the G string off my SR5 but then adapted - figured out that I really was pulling down on the string rather than fretting it cleanly - and haven't had "the problem" since the first few weeks I had the bass.

If it were an intrinsic design problem, how could I overcome it so easily? We all agree that the SR5 neck is on the narrow side, which of course is a "feature", not a flaw, and helped many of us transition from fours to fivers.

The frets? Look, I'd be the first to tell you I'm a hacker, but the amount of space we're talking about here is infinitesimal. Yes, I suppose one could go about doing all the things you're talking about, but wouldn't it be just....easier to adjust and play on?

And again, if I can do it, I can't imagine it to be that difficult.

I'm not saying your way won't work, by the way.

Just that my method works for the lazy.

Jack

[r goldsmith]

I've owned 2 SR5's and had no issue with my first one. However, I had similar issues to you with my second, and upon inspection noted that the space between the G string and the D was slightly wider compared to the gaps between other strings. I guess there are minor differences between them. In any event, I got my luthier to fill that slot and recut it slightly closer to the D (ie farther away from the neck edge) so that they were evenly spaced. From then onwards, the problem disappeared. Whether this was a problem with the bass or me, it didn't matter to me because it was fixed from my perspective.

[sjb]

I didn't say (or imply) that ANYONE had flawed technique. Sorry if you misunderstood me.

[Jimmyb]

I have flawed technique.

Hope that helps?

[ronnyG]

So the analogy is...my car can't handle sharp turns so I need to learn to adjust my driving technique?...or should I adjust/modify the suspension so the car performs like it's supposed to? Or both? Or it depends?

Ok just jokin around. But glad I don't have that problem with my SR4..or my car

[Mu5icM@n]

My SR5 has the same characteristic (note "characteristic" vs. "problem"). My SR4 definitely doesn't have it and neither does my SR5 fretless

My SR4's frets are very rough at the ends--it looks like they were hardly rounded or beveled at the factory. I like it because it's great for hard slapping and pull-offs and it lets me get away with being a little sloppy in my technique in those cases. It's not good because I've actually cut the inside edge of my fingers once or twice on the rougher fret ends.

The SR5 is a little different--I have to be more careful with my technique, esp. playing the G string. I haven't had any real problems with sliding the G-string off the neck recently, but I sure did when I first got it because I was so used to my more forgiving SR4. I do have to be aware of the difference. If I ever get the SR5 re-fretted I'll ask for the frets to not be bevelled as much.

[oli@bass]

Originally Posted by Mu5icM@n

My SR4's frets are very rough at the ends--it looks like they were hardly rounded or beveled at the factory. I like it because it's great for hard slapping and pull-offs and it lets me get away with being a little sloppy in my technique in those cases. It's not good because I've actually cut the inside edge of my fingers once or twice on the rougher fret ends.

A bit off topic... That sounds like fret sprout. I'm pretty sure your 'Ray didn't leave the factory like that, but the wood shrinked over time and the frets start to stick out a tiny bit. I'd check that with a good luthier or call EBMM CS.

[Mu5icM@n]

Hm. I bought the bass new in '94--it's got a maple neck/maple fretboard and it's been like that since the day I bought it. I'm used to it now, so I probably won't do anything about it until I get other fret work done--but thanks for the tip. What you describe is what the frets look like, though.

[ronnyG]

Originally Posted by Mu5icM@n

My SR5 has the same characteristic (note "characteristic" vs. "problem"). My SR4 definitely doesn't have it and neither does my SR5 fretless

.

The string slipping of the fretboard is not a problem? You sure?

How does the note sound when the string slps off? Any particular characteristic to it?