J-bass nut question

[tombear49]

I have a 90 MIJ Fender jazz bass which will probably need a new nut in the near future (end of nut is broken away outside of G-string, tho' the string still sits in the slot)

I see Fender sells replacement nuts. Is this a straightforward job, or do I want to find a guitar tech? Or just leave it be, since the G stays put.

Any advice or links to info would be appreciated.

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by tombear49

I have a 90 MIJ Fender jazz bass which will probably need a new nut in the near future (end of nut is broken away outside of G-string, tho' the string still sits in the slot)

I see Fender sells replacement nuts. Is this a straightforward job, or do I want to find a guitar tech? Or just leave it be, since the G stays put.

Any advice or links to info would be appreciated.

The only real issue with Fender nuts is getting ALL of the nut out of the slot. The headstock side of the nut is usually sealed in with the poly finish so you'll definitely have to cut through that before pulling the nut. I grasp the nut in the center with some parallel jaw pliers and then I pull straight up. Sometimes it takes a couple of pulls but I usually get the nut out in one piece. If it breaks off and leave some plastic in the bottom of the slot, just use a file to remove it but be sure not to enlarge the slot. Installing the new one is easy. Just fit it centered in the slot with a single drop of carpenters glue under it. String pressure will hold the nut in place until the glue dries. BTW, they sell precut brass nuts also - consider them too.

[tombear49]

Thanks for your advice on this. Since I don't have exactly the right tools, I'm taking it to a shop. On looking more closely I can see where the original headstock finish overlaps the nut, so apparently this is the original factory job. I've heard horror stories of epoxy being used to replace nuts, which makes as much sense as welding the strings to the bridge.

[Tony G]

When you take it to the shop, have them put in a graphite nut, not a cheap plastic fender one.

[poppamies]

The best way to remove a Fender type nut is to saw it in half lenght wise and press the two halves together with pliers.

[ldervish]

Originally Posted by xgabriel

When you take it to the shop, have them put in a graphite nut, not a cheap plastic fender one.

Hey xg, what's up with graphite? Does it change the sound, clarity etc.? Pretty sure it would be more durable, but beyond that? Another poster mentioned brass. What about cost?

I guess this a good place for this discussion, since Tombear49 may be asked to make a replacement choice, or it may have been done already and I didn't find it in my search.

Related: I once had a fellow tell me the slots should be filed so that they tilt slightly down toward the headstock, as opposed to filing them flat. It sounded good to me, but does it play out in the real world?

[Tony G]

I use composite nuts on all my basses for a number of reasons. They are easy to shape to my exact liking, and hold their shape very well. They also don't bind with the string, allowing the string to easily glide over it, making for effortless fine tuning. That is really my main reason.

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by ldervish

Hey xg, what's up with graphite? Does it change the sound, clarity etc.? Pretty sure it would be more durable, but beyond that? Another poster mentioned brass. What about cost?

I guess this a good place for this discussion, since Tombear49 may be asked to make a replacement choice, or it may have been done already and I didn't find it in my search.

Related: I once had a fellow tell me the slots should be filed so that they tilt slightly down toward the headstock, as opposed to filing them flat. It sounded good to me, but does it play out in the real world?

graphite is good, since it is hard enough so that the strings ring clear, and also it self lubricates so that the string does not bind during tuning.

brass is nice, it sounds bright close to a real fret, much better than the cheap plastic nut that Fender keeps putting on theirs basses. It is slightly more difficult to shape.

Filing the nut downward is ok, I don't see or hear any difference than flat, and eventually the string will file the nut into any slot shape it wants especially if you use roundwounds

[ldervish]

Sounds good, thanks.