Nut for a MIM Fender Jazz Bass

[rhythmless]

Ran into a problem and decided to ask the experts here! Recently had a Badass II installed on my J bass and had larger strings put on it to accommodate B-E-A-D tuning. Since having a tech set it up, I've run into a problem. The B string keeps popping out of the freakin nut and ends up sitting on the top of the neck, which usually happens mid-song (SUCKS!). I thought maybe it was a lack of string tension. The action is a little low on that string and my first thought was that if I raised the action, the tension would be a little greater and possibly prevent the problem. I guess I'm more or less looking for suggestions. Is there a nut that is better suited for larger strings (using a 115 for the B)? Or is this a case of the tech over-filing the nut? Will raising the action help this or make it worse? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I would look at these things:

1: Do the sides of groove in the nut come up to at least 1/3 the diameter of the string? If not, they pop out really easily I have found.

2: Is the string wrapped around the tuning post enough times to provide an angle to exert down force across the nut?

3: Is the nut cut so large that the string has side to side movement? or is the groove so deep that the string is resting on the neck above the nut? Both of these may cause a jumpy string.

Tom

Afterthought: 115 is a little light for a B on a 34" scale. I play a 130 on a 35" scale and to me it's still too flappy, might be you need to go to a 120 or 130 to get the tension up to the point where the string wants to stay in the groove.

[rhythmless]

Originally Posted by tomd999

Hiya,

I would look at these things:

1: Do the sides of groove in the nut come up to at least 1/3 the diameter of the string? If not, they pop out really easily I have found.

2: Is the string wrapped around the tuning post enough times to provide an angle to exert down force across the nut?

3: Is the nut cut so large that the string has side to side movement? or is the groove so deep that the string is resting on the neck above the nut? Both of these may cause a jumpy string.

Tom

Answers

1: This may be a problem. I don't have the bass in front of me, but I think it may be less than 1/3 on the top side.

2. Again, going from memory, but I think that the string is properly wound.

3. I think if anything, the nut may have been cut too deep, which is why the action seems so low on it.

Any input on a particular brands to replace it with? I know nada about repairing these things, I just play em!

As for the strings, I tried a 5-string set on my old Spector using the low B for my top string. I think it was a 130 and it was too much for the bass. The largest 4-string set I've found was a 125, I think. Might need to check those out, but I don't want to overload the bass with too much string.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by rhythmless

...B-E-A-D tuning. Since having a tech set it up, I've run into a problem. The B string keeps popping out of the freakin nut and ends up sitting on the top of the neck, which usually happens mid-song (SUCKS!)....(using a 115 for the B)...

i think it's just a matter of more wraps on the strings. you are winding them down the post, getting 3-4 wraps, right?

also, .130 is the normal size for a B string. are you trying to use extra-heavy 4-string sets? you should just use a standard 5-string set, ditching the G.