String Tree Pinging - what have I done here?

Fuengi

Really happy with this partscaster Tele except for an issue with the B & high E strings which "ping" above the nut when I bend them.

I'm assuming it's a combination of my nut cut and the string tree placement/ height? 

What have I done to create this and how can I remedy it? 

paulnb57

First tune it without the string under the tree, if it still pings, its not the tree, if its ok, then you could either try raising the tree with a longer spacer or try a roller tree, if it still pings then its likely a nut issue, (gut feeling its a nut issue as the b and e are smooth strings and should glide under the tree, fairly friction free) can the b and e move sideways in the nut slot? Possibly the nut slot is too wide and a bit rough where the string makes contact?

tone1

I always put nut source under the string tree..and I have seen small nylon upstand/spacer under some trees to raise the height a tad

Funkfingers

Pinging means that the offending strings are snagging somewhere. 

The obvious friction points are the nut slots and the edges of the string guides. Rounding off edges minimises snagging.

Strings can also snag in the nut when they are old and, heaven forfend, greasy or corroded. 

ICBM

The string tree placement and height look perfect.

What did you use to cut the nut grooves? This can happen when there's a small ridge in the middle of the bottom, so the string pings from side to side when you bend it.

If you don't have the correct rounded profile nut file, you can usually fix this by very carefully scraping the bottom of the slots from side to side with a sharp craft knife blade, making sure not to deepen them too much on the fingerboard side.

Fuengi

It was the nut, my ham-fisted filing must have been the culprit. I used my set of Hosco nut files but obviously have still managed to create some grooves.

I have had a very gentle fettle, added some White Lithium Grease and some pencil lead shavings to the nut slots and given the Bigsby some welly, that seems to have done the trick. 

I like the craft knife clean out idea, I'll do that next time I cut a nut or if the ping comes back on this. 

steamabacus

Another option that will polish out any inconsistencies left after using the nut file is to wrap a piece of fine wet and dry paper around a piece of old guitar string of the appropriate gauge for the slot. Pull it back and forth in the slot and it should get rid of any tiny ridges.