Just-a-Nut I screw replacement?

[RCCollins]

I've got a '96 Warwick Fortress Flashback with a brass Just-a-Nut I. It's not a 2-tec string through, it's got the Warwick 2-piece bridge, which allows me to string it with La Bella flats, and the result is a SWEET SWEET vintage-style sound with a very modern touch.

Now, so far I have been using a set of 760 FLs that more or less fell into my lap ($20 "unused" old stock at a local store). This is the "perfectly balanced" set with the slightly weird gauges (0.43 - .104). I would like to move up to medium gauge for more bottom, but the .060 D string barely fits in the nut as it is - it is squeezed in there almost too tight. The other strings have little room as it is - which is good - but in order to use fatter strings, it looks like I'll have to replace the nut.

OK, I realize that replacing the nut wouldn't be pricey or very difficult. But as this is a fairly rare bass I'd prefer to keep it stock. I definitely want to keep a brass nut at the very least. What I'm wondering is, would it be possible to simply swap out the short screws in the JAN, avoiding any removal and glueing? OK, obviosuly it IS possible, I just wonder where I might find screws like that that would do the trick.


Anybody ever encounter a similar problem? How did you resolve it?

[RCCollins]

sorry wrong forum

[K-Funk]

I have a '96 Flashback 5-string with the 2TEK, and a '95 Fortress One 5-string, both with the brass JAN I. I, too, thought the strings weren't going to stay it, but they do. Unless they pop out, you should be fine. Over time, they'll gradually snug into the soft brass.

Plus, Warwicks have a bit of an angle at the headstock which keeps the strings pinned to the nut, kind of like a Gibson guitar.

If you don't believe me, I can send you pictures of my .130 B-strings on both basses as they cross over the nut. I'm even amazed that they don't pop out!

BTW, both nuts on the Fortresses are stock, and my string gauges are .45, .65, .85, .105, .130. I used to own a 4-string 2TEK Flashback and used very heavy Chromes flatwounds in it without a hitch.

[RCCollins]

Very nice! Another Fortress Freak. One of these days I will pick up a Masterman... I'd also love a 2Tek but I think the flashback should have flats and LaBella advises against using their flats with a string-through.

The nut on this flashback is WAY tighter than previous brass Just-a-Nuts I have tried - I guess the flashback has barely been used.

Anyway, that's helpful, thanks. Maybe I can just wedge the fatter strings in there without actually filing.

[Zooberwerx]

Contact service at Dana B. Goods. They have replacement JAN screw saddles available in different sizes.

Riis

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Contact service at Dana B. Goods. They have replacement JAN screw saddles available in different sizes.

Riis

Now THAT is what I wanted to hear! Thanks mang!

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Now THAT is what I wanted to hear! Thanks mang!

You're welcome. I recall 3 sizes: G/D, A/E, B...but I could be wrong.

Riis

[NorCal Dog]

i have a replacement 5 string JAN here somewhere that you might be able to swap the screws out, for a no-mod solution.

pm me

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dog

i have a replacement 5 string JAN here somewhere that you might be able to swap the screws out, for a no-mod solution.

pm me

Oh, no...don't do that! If you have an intact JAN I, somebody (like me!) could probably use the whole thing for an upgrade depending on string spacing / nut width.

Riis

[RCCollins]

Well I would simply buy the whole thing from him, not just the screws, that would be silly.