I Busted My Nut (no jokes, please)

skypn · #1 04-02-2011, 08:41 PM

This was 'spose to be a happy post

. I was doing my first string change/set up and everything was going fine until...
I did my first tune up, and when I got to the G, just as it was getting close, I heard a pop, and the string went kinda loose, like maybe I had a bad wrap at the post. Oh No, the Nelson factor was in force, I had broke the nut.

Now, I was all for learning to set it up, but I think maybe I should take it to "the Man" to replace the nut.

What do you guys think? Am I a wuss, or is this beyond a newbie?

I have a ~87 MIJ Fender Jazz, and the strings I was putting on were EB Power Slinky 55, 75, 90, 110.

TIA

BTW, I changed the pick guard to pearl, and I had to "tweak" it to fit, in which I am proud of. I will post pix once everything is ok.

countrybass007 · #2 04-02-2011, 08:53 PM

I'd go to a pro to properly replace the nut. I would say the nut was already cracked, as a simple change of strings wouldn't cause a nut to break.

**f64** · #3 04-02-2011, 09:18 PM

Unless, of course, you were tightening it an octave above where it should be. If you had an extremely strong core in the string and didn't know where to stop you could theatrically break the nut. I doubt this was the case thou. Sounds more like it could already have been weakened from a fall. The nut is the high point if it falls on its face and usually hits with the highest velocity.

fenderphil · #4 04-02-2011, 09:38 PM

thats a pretty heavy string gauge. the nut was probably cut for a .045

amos · #5 04-02-2011, 09:40 PM

I have advice, but it involves a joke.

Ric5 · #6 04-02-2011, 09:44 PM

The good news is the nut is one of the most inexpensive parts on your bass.

skypn · #7 04-03-2011, 05:48 AM

I doubt the bass has ever fallen, although I haven't had it long. I also doubt I could have gotten it an octave too high or my whole bass is too high. There is just enough of a pocket to hold the string. It only sounds crappy open, any fretting and you wouldn't know it was broken (I have only played ~12 notes on that string since it happened).

I bought that gauge set on someones' advise, and I guess My Mileage Varied

I would hate to have to off a set of strings that were only minutes old, but c'est la vie.

I do have to admit, she was sounding great

Thanks for the help.

mdogs · #8 04-03-2011, 05:56 AM

First off, dump the EB strings when you get you new nut implanted. Second, get it to a pro!

Turnaround · #9 04-03-2011, 06:08 AM

Have the nut replaced by a competent tech, and have him/her slot it for the guage of strings you intend to use. If you intend to go to a higher gauge string later on, be sure to get the slots recut to the proper width before installing the string. This is something that too often is overlooked and turns out to be a problem in one form or another.

You may hear from lots of players that they changed to heavier gauge strings without reslotting the nut and had no porblems. But you may find that they actually had intonation problems at the first few frets and some tuning difficulty that they didn't realize were caused by the strings not sitting in the nut slots properly.

And on the other hand there are those who use a lighter gauge string than the nut was cut for. There is at least one manufacturer out there that installs nuts that has slots that are too wide even for their own factory-installed strings. I've had to replace nuts on too many of these instruments where there was string rattle in the nut on a factory-new instrument.

Sometimes you can get away with slots that are a little too wide, sometimes not. But if the nut slot is narrower than the string, there will be trouble.

Given that a new, custom fit, polished bone nut is $75 from my shop (and I'm not cheap), it's probably one of the most economical investments you can make in your bass.

LilloEsquilo · #10 04-03-2011, 07:31 AM

Humm busting a nut....SOUNDS good.....

Seriously, I would not recommend you mess with this yourself. It shouldn't be that expensive to get it done. The hardest part here honestly is finding a GOOD tech to do it for you. You don't want some hack messing with it - if you are going to pay for that, you might as well do it yourself. Find someone who is good and recommended and have that person do it. Have them install the strings you want as well while they are at it and do a good setup, and you won't be out that much money and it will be well worth it.

Handyman · #11 04-03-2011, 07:39 AM

Like the other folks have said, take it to a pro. You can probably have a new nut cut and installed for under $50.

Where do you live? You might be able to get some good recommendations for the repair here.

skypn · #12 04-03-2011, 07:43 AM

I live in Dearborn MI, just outside of Detroit.

NCD · #13 04-03-2011, 09:11 AM

I accidentally blew out a nut one time when I was just starting because I changed to flats and wasn't paying attention to the direction I was winding the string on the tuner. It matters! One way will give a far straighter line than the other and the side pull on the E from going the wrong way broke the end off my nut.

You will hear about a self fix involving CA (super glue) and baking soda. I can tell you that it works but... BUT.... BUT!!!!!

If you use CA in that nut slot, getting it out to put in a new nut is going to be hell. Remember that's super glue... it will tear the wood right out of your fret board if you try to pull or chip it out.

I did CA on a cheap, under $200 bass and I have no intention of removing that fix. If it breaks again I just rebuild it again with more CA and baking soda.

But on a Fender, I'd take it to the shop and get it done right the first time and that's what I'm suggesting you do.

wshines1892 · #14 04-03-2011, 09:56 AM

In all honesty, I'd just remove the rest of the nut, and then super glue the chipped piece back on and let it dry; but I'm notorious for refusing to go to techs. This way there's no risk of the nut getting glued into the slot. After that, just glue it back in. It's not THAT difficult of a fix, but that's if you still have the chipped piece.

LilloEsquilo · #15 04-03-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCD

I accidentally blew out a nut one time when I was just starting because I changed to flats and wasn't paying attention to the direction I was winding the string on the tuner. It matters! One way will give a far straighter line than the other and the side pull on the E from going the wrong way broke the end off my nut.

You will hear about a self fix involving CA (super glue) and baking soda. I can tell you that it works but... BUT.... BUT!!!!!

If you use CA in that nut slot, getting it out to put in a new nut is going to be hell. Remember that's super glue... it will tear the wood right out of your fret board if you try to pull or chip it out.

I did CA on a cheap, under $200 bass and I have no intention of removing that fix. If it breaks again I just rebuild it again with more CA and baking soda.

But on a Fender, I'd take it to the shop and get it done right the first time and that's what I'm suggesting you do.

You're right about the superglue. Those are just SO much fun to deal with if you ever need to remove the nut later. Even wood glue can make you work, and superglue is just the most fun you can have with your clothes on to deal with.

That's why I only use wood glue, because someday I might need to pull that nut and I don't want it to be an all day exercise in pain.

Tracebassplayer · #16 04-04-2011, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amos

I have advice, but it involves a joke.

I know he said no jokes but.... come on... just tell us, we won't tell him..