Fretless Jazz Nut

[GBag]

Can anyone tell me the factory stock string height for the nut on a fretless jazz bass. I picked up a b stock item & it looks like the fool tried to do his own nut & screwed it up. It's cut so low that it looks like the strings are touching the fret board.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by GBag

Can anyone tell me the factory stock string height for the nut on a fretless jazz bass. I picked up a b stock item & it looks like the fool tried to do his own nut & screwed it up. It's cut so low that it looks like the strings are touching the fret board.

They should be almost touching the fingerboard. The ideal height is just as low as you can get it without the open string 'choking' from striking the fingerboard.

[GBag]

Originally Posted by pkr2

They should be almost touching the fingerboard. The ideal height is just as low as you can get it without the open string 'choking' from striking the fingerboard.

Thanks for the reply. Sorry I called the dude a fool but he managed to strike the fretboard with the file. Fortunately it's close enough to the nut that it doesn't affect tone or playability. I 'll likely be able to remove it with a light sand 800 grit to 1600 should fix that.

Final Question. What amount of relief would be reasonable to see on a fretless neck then? There is a llot of info around on fretted stuff but very little on fretless.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by GBag

Thanks for the reply. Sorry I called the dude a fool but he managed to strike the fretboard with the file. Fortunately it's close enough to the nut that it doesn't affect tone or playability. I 'll likely be able to remove it with a light sand 800 grit to 1600 should fix that.

Final Question. What amount of relief would be reasonable to see on a fretless neck then? There is a llot of info around on fretted stuff but very little on fretless.

Technically, nut height on a fretless needs to be no more than enough to establish a witness point for the string. Probably could get by with as little as .005"

The ideal amount of nut height is the minimum amount that allows playing without fingerboard interference. Actually, this also applies to the perfect amount of relief.

If the nut is cut is cut dead level with the fingerboard, I would be concerned about the nuts witness point being positioned right. A business card thickness shim under the nut should correct the miscut. You could also build up the nutslots.