Removing a stuck nut

[JimmyM]

Got this SX bass that needs a new nut, but the old one was apparently installed with some super-industrial glue, and it will not come out no matter what I try to do. I've got about half of it busted out from either side, but the other half is stuck really good. i have never ever seen anything like it, and I'm afraid I'm going to screw the nut slot up for the new nut. Any helpful ideas?

[R. Laevinus]

Have you tried laying a block of wood on the fretboard, against the nut, and tapping lightly with a hammer to break the glue?

That's what I usually do - if that doesn't work, take a nail punch/set of appropriate size and tap it out from the side. You can clamp blocks of wood to the neck/board opposite the side you're tapping from, to prevent the fretboard from splintering out, but that has never been necessary for me.

If those don't work, you may simply have to file it out - you can get a set of small files from your local hardware store for surprisngly cheap - or try a heat gun, but that might hurt your finish.

[Rickett Customs]

It does seem like a "sticky" situation there....

If you can, soak a bit of acetone in the slot and around it. Then try prying it after it's had a short time to get in there a bit.

[202dy]

1. Saw through length of nut with razor saw.
2. Crush with end nippers.
3. Pick out pieces remaining in slot. Dental tools are perfect.
4. Clean slot with nut file.
5. Celebrate your apparent mechanical ability and genius.

[JimmyM]

thanks guys...i shall try these ideas tomorrow. i got burned out on it for tonight

[JimmyM]

just great...i finally get the nut out after about 40 minutes of more struggle, and now the replacement nut i bought doesn't work. too short. looks like i'll have to roll my own, which sucks because i can't make a nut worth a crap and i'll have to put it in the shop. great...a $40 nut on a $90 bass...that sucks.

[JimmyKickButt]

Sounds like a great opportunity to get good at making a nut...

[BassCycle]

You can do it! Nuts are cheap. If you screw one up, grab another one. Keep trying until you have yourself a perfect nut, and a new skill set.

[John Wentzien]

Is it a J or P? I might have one...PM me! I'll send it down Jimmy.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by JimmyKickButt

Sounds like a great opportunity to get good at making a nut...

you know what? you are absolutely right! i think i will. beats paying half its value for a nut, that's for sure.

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Is it a J or P? I might have one...PM me! I'll send it down Jimmy.

NO CHARGE!...might have a blank too if you want it!

[Rickett Customs]

I was gonna say, bring one with you to MD and I could slot it for you and mail it back.... I did have some graphite stock, but it's all gone, but by all means John go for it.

[JimmyM]

john did go for it...thanks buddy! and thank you too, jason. very nice of you guys!

[LowDown Hal]

at least you've progressed beyond

'half a busted nut'

[tZer]

JimmyM - I picked up some ebony 3/4" x 3/4" x 5" blanks (10 in a bag) used for turning and instruments from Woodcraft for about $15 and used them to make the nuts on my recent builds. So far, they've worked out quite well. Now the nuts I made are not in a slot - they're at the end of the boards so I made them a little thicker than nuts that go in slots - but I believe they'd do fine cut slot-thin. You can get an awful lot of nuts out of that bag-o-ebony.

[R. Laevinus]

So I'm dying to know... which piece(s) of advice worked out for you?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

So I'm dying to know... which piece(s) of advice worked out for you?

cutting it in half and prying out the pieces with a dental tool. although i would have loved to have tried the acetone if i had some acetone.

[xaxxat]

Some nail polish removers are just plain acetone.