Fender Jackson high e string problem.

[tylermorris]

Hi, I have a new soloist and the high e string keeps slipping off the fretboard. My guitar tech shaved the fret down so it wouldn't catch but he says there is no way to fix the high e string and that's how they set it up from the factory so there's not a way to fix it. I heard a rumor that the Fender Jacksons have this problem is that true?

[Newc]

Some do. Some of the older ones had it as well. Gibson USAs have it. Fender USAs have it. USA-made PRSs have it. Every guitar ever made or that ever will be made will have at least one that does it.

Does the nut sit to one side more than the other? That could be an easy fix.

Assuming it's actually a build issue (Floyd mount holes drilled off-center), see about exchanging it. Or you could look into having someone fill and redrill the Floyd holes, and reshape the Floyd slot, and the recess.

[tylermorris]

I asked my guitar tech if he could fix the neck so it wouldn't happen and he said there wasn't anything that he could do with the neck that would fix it.

[Devotee]

Newc asked about the nut, not the neck.

[MetalDaze]

Something like this is always worth a second opinion. Just because one guy hasn't thought of a good solution for it doesn't mean that someone else wouldn't be able to think of something clever.

[Predator1]

I had an SL2H Mah that had this problem and sent it back. I have also had a CS Charvel with the same problem and that was a bolt on. It too was sent back. You are correct that this seems to be a common problem. One of the first things I check now before purchasing a guitar is proper string alignment. I have owned and played many Gibson's and never experienced this with them.

[BigE13]

Step 1 find out which nut you have on your Jackson. There are different sizes and string spacings. You might solve this by simply changing the nut out (not expensive). There is nothing you can do to the neck itself to fix this problem as there is no way to add the width you need. See below for Floyd nut sizes... Is your neck bound? That requires a narrower nut than an unbound neck. If you have an R4 nut you can swap it out for the R3 and that might solve your issue. As stated in previous posts, make sure the screw holes are aligned right so that the nut is not slightly off...you would be suprised how big a difference a small adjustment can make! Good luck!

R1: narrow: Width: 1-9/16" (39.7mm); Height: .235"; E to E Width: 1.309; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2398”

R2: standard: Width: 1-5/8" (41.30mm); Height: .230"; E to E Width: 1.371; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2505”

R3: wide: Width: 1-11/16" (42.90mm); Height: .278"; E to E Width: 1.4155"; Radius: 12"; String Spacing: .2591” (narrower string spacing for bound necks)

R4: wide: Width: 1-11/16" (42.90mm); Height: .278"; E to E Width: 1.4355; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2631” (wider string spacing, not bound necks)

R5: extra wide. Width: 1-3/4" (44.45mm); Height: .280"; E to E Width: 1.491; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2736”

R6: R1 with bullet nut relief. Width: 1-9/16" (39.70mm); Height: .235"; E to E Width: 1.309; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2398”

R7: R2 with bullet nut relief. Width: 1-5/8" (41.30mm); Height: .230"; E to E Width: 1.371; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2502”

R8: R4 with flatter radius. Width: 1-11/16" (42.90mm); Height: .225"; E to E Width: 1.4355"; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2631”

[tylermorris]

Step 1 find out which nut you have on your Jackson. There are different sizes and string spacings. You might solve this by simply changing the nut out (not expensive). There is nothing you can do to the neck itself to fix this problem as there is no way to add the width you need. See below for Floyd nut sizes... Is your neck bound? That requires a narrower nut than an unbound neck. If you have an R4 nut you can swap it out for the R3 and that might solve your issue. As stated in previous posts, make sure the screw holes are aligned right so that the nut is not slightly off...you would be suprised how big a difference a small adjustment can make! Good luck!

R1: narrow: Width: 1-9/16" (39.7mm); Height: .235"; E to E Width: 1.309; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2398”

R2: standard: Width: 1-5/8" (41.30mm); Height: .230"; E to E Width: 1.371; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2505”

R3: wide: Width: 1-11/16" (42.90mm); Height: .278"; E to E Width: 1.4155"; Radius: 12"; String Spacing: .2591” (narrower string spacing for bound necks)

R4: wide: Width: 1-11/16" (42.90mm); Height: .278"; E to E Width: 1.4355; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2631” (wider string spacing, not bound necks)

R5: extra wide. Width: 1-3/4" (44.45mm); Height: .280"; E to E Width: 1.491; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2736”

R6: R1 with bullet nut relief. Width: 1-9/16" (39.70mm); Height: .235"; E to E Width: 1.309; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2398”

R7: R2 with bullet nut relief. Width: 1-5/8" (41.30mm); Height: .230"; E to E Width: 1.371; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2502”

R8: R4 with flatter radius. Width: 1-11/16" (42.90mm); Height: .225"; E to E Width: 1.4355"; Radius: 10"; String Spacing: .2631”

How do I make sure the screw holes are aligned correctly?

[BigE13]

How do I make sure the screw holes are aligned correctly?

The nut will not hang over either side of the neck but should fit perfectly even with each edge. If that is how it looks they are aligned correctly. If not, you can loosen the screws, apply pressure to move the nut over, hold in place and screw back down tight. If they are really badly aligned you may have to fill the screw holes and retap them...i would have someone experienced do this for you. Hope this helps! "E"