Can anyone decipher what my A string problem might be?

[dusty miller]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1BwM8bEV-lo
This mandolin has been in the case the last couple months, when I strike the top A string it just gives a dead sound. I can fret notes and it sounds okay, open it sounds awful. Any ideas on what might be causing this?

[Nevin]

The string may be pinched at the nut.

[dusty miller]

Thanks, I'll check that.

[Marty Jacobson]

Definitely a nut problem. Slot too deep, probably. Easy to fix with the right tools. Whew, glad this wasn't the mandolin I made. :-)

[dusty miller]

Definitely a nut problem. Slot too deep, probably. Easy to fix with the right tools. Whew, glad this wasn't the mandolin I made. :-)

No, the new Jacobson is awesome, so much so that I been playing it so much the strings are totally shot. I just needed to play a back up until my new strings arrive. I'll check the nut on my Kentucky, thanks.

[Ron Cox]

You didn't, by chance, leave a pick between the strings? I did once and forgot about it until I brought it out to play. Might seem stupid, but stranger things have been known to happen.

[allenhopkins]

Sound on the vid seems to include a rattle, as if the open string were hitting the first fret. How high (or low) is the action on the mandolin? I hear a bit of a rattle at the first fret as well, perhaps a bit on the E string open.

Might try raising the action by cranking up the bridge adjustment a half-turn or so, and see if the problem persists. High fret(s), or a back-bend in the neck…could be...

[dusty miller]

Sound on the vid seems to include a rattle, as if the open string were hitting the first fret. How high (or low) is the action on the mandolin? I hear a bit of a rattle at the first fret as well, perhaps a bit on the E string open.

Might try raising the action by cranking up the bridge adjustment a half-turn or so, and see if the problem persists. High fret(s), or a back-bend in the neck…could be...

It seems the action is pretty high but like you said it sounds like the strings are hitting the frets or something. If I hold it like I'm playing it and look along the fretboard I can't see any places where the strings are touching anywhere but it sounds horrible. I had some service done to it like the end of the fretboard being cut off so my pick doesn't click and it played fine when I picked it up and before I put it away a couple months. I'll have to give the bridge and nut a closer inspection. Thanks.

[Nevin]

Check the relief and to see if you have a high fret.