Does nut height scale with saddle height and relief?

[Naxn]

Hello folks,

I'm setting up my bass for the first time and was wondering if the nut height scales with saddle height and neck relief? What I mean by that is- if the nut height is relatively high, does that mean that lowest possible action without buzzing will also be relatively high?

I haven't made the leap to adjusting the nut as I'm awaiting the proper tools to arrive. I've read conflicting advice on what nut height actually affects. I haven't been able to get near anyone's recommended string height so I'm inclined to think that it does scale.

I play a 34" bass, tuned to drop C with 55-110 strings if that helps any. I can post current setup specs later, but I was asking in general.

[john grey]

You will have independent variables such as fret height, neck & bridge design.
55-110 is a bit heavy on the D & G, therefore touch not thy nut until you have tuned thy Bass and played with relief of neck in order to one's liking.

Basses of generally moderate quality do not need nut alteration unless string size has changed substantially and then do so very conservatively at the SIDES of the cuts before even considering lowering the nut cut depth. "Jumbo" frets may demand a nut of a height that appears tall but is significant to maintain a clear note. Basses of high quality should not be altered until all ramifications affecting string height are weighed and re-evaluated more than once. Too many decent instruments have demanded extra work due to too quick a hand and file.

[bigalbass]

Almost all new basses come from the factory with a comprise set up. Seeing that you use alternate tuning, I know that your bass is not set up the way it could be. Inexperienced nut work has sent many a bass for a new nut. My advice is to find the local repair "Fonzie" and let him give your bass a good basic setup. You can go to making your own minor adjustments from there after the bass has been set up properly.

[Turnaround]

There's one nut height that is optimum, regardless of the rest of the settings of the bass. Assuming the frets are level, the optimum height will give the same clearance at the first fret with an open string as you would get at the second fret when you fret at the first. Any less and it may buzz on the open string but not when fretted. Any more is pointless and will only make it stiffer at the first fret and even a bit sharp when fretted there.

[mongo2]

I check the depth of the nut slots by pressing down at the third fret and checking to see if there is a bit of light showing under between the string and first fret. I then file as necessary using my nut files. I don't measure anymore, just using the ol' Mark Is to set it.