Hope I'm not too late to the party. Grab your nut slot files and cut the A string slots just the next bit wider. It "sounds" like the slots were cut for a lighter gauge string than you have on. Also, get some sandpaper and a sanding block and sand down the top of the nut to eliminate the "Grand Canyon." Ideally the tops of the strings should protrude just a bit above the nut.
Hope this helps!
Rob
So I got the powdered teflon, loosened up the A strings on my Morris, moved them aside, and put some in. I have to say, I have had no more problems with the A strings. Here's what I used: LaBelle 3-134: "the slickest substance known to man." Paid less than 8 bucks.
I still have the "Grand Canyon" effect though. I'm going up to the Wildwood Flower on another errand soon, so Jake will have a look at it. I'm pretty confident I could modify it myself, but it will be alot less painful and time consuming to have a pro address it. Especially with a brandy new mandolin.
I had my mandolin in for fret dressing. I even supplied the strings. When I got it back, while tuning E string broke. hmmm. Put new one on and while tuning other E string broke. I replaced and havent had problem but "A" would keep going out of tune...getting sharp and it didnt tune down smoothly. I figured something in nut catching when pressing down on string causing it to stay sharp. I changed strings and used some graphite and it seems to be good. Never had issue before. Maybe he actually didnt use strings I supplied.. or stuff happens.
I have that problem with all strings ! Think it's my playing ?
Bookmarks