Ferrules too small ???

I recently purchased a used VM Pre TB "Tele" bass with the mudbucker. It is string through back. I bought a new set of GHS Boomers and when I tried to remove the unknown strings that were on it I had to pry them out of the ferrules with a pair of needle nose pliers! When I installed the boomers I had the same problem. The balls, while tightening the strings suddenly snap into the bottom of the ferrules. They seem to be too small. When I checked an MIA the ferrules were much larger. Anyone know what's going on here? I can't imagine Fender would make such a big mistake? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Overseas Fenders have smaller hardware than the US & MIM Fenders.

Overseas Fenders have smaller hardware than the US & MIM Fenders.

So what type of strings have smaller ball ends or am I supposed to leave them on forever? :shock: I am certainly not arguing your point and agree the ferrules are much smaller than the MIA's but I am totally perplexed by this. I would think that all strings have the same size ball ends and why would Fender approve such a "mistake" when they "design and back" the instrument, (written on the back of the headstock)? I sent them an email and got no reply! I must be missing something but I have no idea what it is!

Try Fender strings maybe that will work.

Why not buy some new ferrules and drill out the holes to suit. Fairly cheap and easy to do.

*small hijack*
How big were the original ferrules, and how big are Fender's current Standard ferrules. I have a set at home that I plan to install, but I've seen pics of 50's basses where they look huge.

If you got your ferrules from Stew-Mac, don't worry. I used them in my VM Jazz and they're just fine.

Fender didn't make a mistake. These basses come with Fender Super Bass nickel rounds. They fit.

AFAIK all bass strings use the same size ball end. If the holes on this bass are a little small, then you might have a problem with strings that have silk winding just above the the ball end. I've run into this problem occasionally even with top loading bridges. If the extra diameter of the silk is what's causing the tightness, there are plenty of strings without it.