Maark Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 So... I go to tune my big pile of bass tonight. And as I tune the A string, anytime I move the machine head there's like a little mechanical squeaking sound, like nng-nng-nng as if it's protesting. What can I do? I've only owned this bass 3 weeks now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZPQ Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Hard to say with out seeing it. but I've had similar noises and so long as the machinehead is actually turning I have'nt worried about it - just the mechanical parts under strain. If you don't know someone with more playing time under their belt to get a 2nd opinion you could take it into a local shop and ask what they think? Did you buy it local - ask the seller about it. Sorry to be vague but perhaps we have a contributor from Weymouth who could have a look at it for you? Good luck - hope it turns out ok John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maark Posted September 23, 2007 Author Share Posted September 23, 2007 I bought it in Dorchester. I'll ask Ben in my WoW guild, he's a five minute drive away, he'll probably know. But the head turns ok, it just sounds a bit hacked off. Maybe it needs some lube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Difficult to diagnose sight unseen, but a few things to check off the top of my head: is it catching in the nut? - if so run a soft pencil in the nut slots to lubricate. Check the screws in the machinehead are tight - the one holding the main gear for fender-type open tuners or the one at the top of the button for Gotoh-type enclosed ones. These can possibly loosen with time, although this is rare in my experience. The A string wouldn't be going under a string tree, so it won't be that, but if it was a D or G string it could be. I'd also take the strings off and put them back on winding tidily onto the machinehead capstans, in case they was originally wound on haphazardly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maark Posted September 24, 2007 Author Share Posted September 24, 2007 Sorry to sound like a plonk, but how would one go about changing strings? I have to admit, I failed to ask that when I bought it. *feels silly* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 [quote name='Maark' post='64650' date='Sep 24 2007, 10:40 AM']Sorry to sound like a plonk, but how would one go about changing strings? I have to admit, I failed to ask that when I bought it. *feels silly*[/quote] Everybody has to start sometime. Try these links for info [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_string_change/"]tunemybass.com[/url] [url="http://www.learnlicks.com/watchVideo.cfm?lickID=301"]learnlicks.com (video !)[/url] [url="http://www.warwickbass.com/basssurvival101/lesson_2string.htm"]Warwickbass.com[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 You sure it is the actual mechanics of the machine head? Also, if the nut is a bit tight on the string it may force the string to resist pulling through the nut slot, so putting a little more tension on the machine head. Sometimes a bit of pencil led which is graphite, "pencilled" into the nut slot by sharpening to a point an ordinary pencil, will help to provide a smoother passage for the string over/through the nut slot. [quote name='Maark' post='64559' date='Sep 23 2007, 11:38 PM']So... I go to tune my big pile of bass tonight. And as I tune the A string, anytime I move the machine head there's like a little mechanical squeaking sound, like nng-nng-nng as if it's protesting. What can I do? I've only owned this bass 3 weeks now.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul, the Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 If you got the bass in Harmony, I'd give them a ring tomorrow. If they want repeat business ([i]they want repeat business[/i]), they'll sort it out. Taking the string off and putting it back on wouldn't be a bad idea, checking for anything funny along the way. If you want any help with that, just let me know. paul. ---- full moon's out -- shpooky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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