Schaller Stringretainer Bar C

I needed a better string retainer for my 4-string Fender basses. Fender still won't install a string retainer on the A-string (except on expensive Ultra series) and that A-string really needs more pressure over the nut.

It's not just about buzzing. You can normally avoid buzz by cutting the string longer and use more windings on the tuning peg of the A-string. But there's still not enough pressure to make the open A-string on Fender basses sound great.

Take any stock Fender P or J bass and compare the sound of the open string. Chances are the A-string will sound slightly less tight and powerful than the others. It will have a kinda hollow, thrashy tone with some weird overtones. It subtle but it's nearly always there on Fender basses that doesn't have a string retainer for the A-string.

This string retainer from Schaller isn't really intended for bass but it works great on Fender basses and I personally think it looks nicer than installing two of the Fender "coin"-style retainers. Depending on the model this Schaller retainer may have to be angled slightly for the best fit but that's no big deal. The original single "coin"-retainer will of course have to be removed when installing the Schaller.

The A-string will be slightly fiddly to install with this retainer installed but again: not a big deal and definitely worth the hassle to get the improvement in tone.

This is perhaps THE best mod you can do to your Fender bass. It's cheap, relatively easy and will massively improve the tone of your open A.

It will also MASSIVELY improve a clanky, hollow sounding Bass VI. Why Fender ship these basses with only a retainer for the B+E strings is beyond me.

Highly recommended!

(And of course it works great for guitars too!)