Neck Problem

[guitarfeak]

Hi I bought a Musikraft 5150 style headstock neck and no matter which guitar I had it on the high E string would pop out of the nut and be way off to the right of the fretboard and hang off. The neck has a regular nut on it not a locking nut. I was wondering if anyone would possibly know why this is happening. It was an expensive neck for my budget and it sucks that I can't use it so any help would be appreciated.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Neck Problem

Two things maybe;

1) Nut is botched..too shallow on high E. Get a reputable guitar tech to affix a new nut, or fix the existing nut.

2) You are going to need a string tree bar. See the filled holes on the4 headstock close to the nut where the string tree bar once was? Get another one on ebay.

 

[guitarfeak]

Re: Neck Problem

Even when I had the string retainer bar on the high E string still popped out of the nut.

 

[CTN]

Re: Neck Problem

as MM said, you might need the nut re-cut.

But before doing that, I'd try to move the string tree/retainer closer to the nut so the string gets some downward anchoring. It'll increase the string tension a bit, but it will also probably get rid of your problem.

 

[guitarfeak]

Re: Neck Problem

Thanks for the help

 

[Sprinter]

Re: Neck Problem

Even when I had the string retainer bar on the high E string still popped out of the nut.

The string bar was probably to high. Reinstall the bar and get a little more down pressure on the nut. If that doesn't help, then it will probably need a new nut.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Neck Problem

Also, make sure you're winding the string in the right direction around the tuner post. The string should leave the tuner from below (as oriented in the picture) such that clockwise rotation of the post increases string tension. If you wind it in the other direction, the angle at the nut will be exaggerated and could cause the problem you describe.

From the picture, it looks like the string tree is mounted too far toward the high E string side of the headstock, in a straight line to encourage a backwards wind. I'd remove that and install a proper string tree using the two screw holes near the truss rod instead.

Sorry if this is all obvious to you, but you'd be surprised at how many guitars I see with strings wound the wrong way. I saw one recently where the strings were actually rubbing against the adjacent tuner posts because the owner wound them backwards. Made it impossible to tune.

EDIT: Actually, I could be wrong about the correct direction to wind the strings on that headstock. Winding them as I described would probably just make the low E string have that problem. Some headstock designs are better than others at keeping the string angles to a minimum at the nut.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Neck Problem

String tree is in wrong place... it is pulling the E string pretty bad.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Neck Problem

String tree is WAY in the wrong place.

You'd be better off taking the tree off than using the tree where it is.

It looks like there is another screw hole about 1/4" away from where you have it mounted now. Try mounting the tree in that hole. It's also a good idea to put the bar back on.

 

[guitarfeak]

Re: Neck Problem

Im going to reinstall the string bar without the string tree and see if that helps. If not I will put the string tree back in but in the spot its supposed to be in.