Replace brass nut with something else, will this help?

shawshank72 · #1 01-25-2011, 03:52 PM

I have a p bass with a brass nut and no matter what I try the tone is always bright on it(even acoustically). Would changing the nut make a large difference in sound?

Joospocks · #2 01-25-2011, 03:55 PM

I assume it will probably only noticeably affect the tone on open notes. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The best way I've found to change the character of a bass is to just try different kinds of strings each time you change them, until you find what you like on it. (Assuming that the EQ on your amp doesn't change the tone satisfactorily.)

Rimshot · #3 01-25-2011, 04:01 PM

IME and O: No, changing the nut from brass to bone, plastic or graphite or whatever else you can think of will not significantly change the tambre or color of the tone. YMMV

shawshank72 · #4 01-25-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rimshot

IME and O: No, changing the nut from brass to bone, plastic or graphite or whatever else you can think of will not significantly change the tambre or color of the tone. YMMV

Figures, it can never be the easy way. arghhhh

M0ses · #5 01-25-2011, 04:10 PM

Try rolling off the tone knob a bit.

walterw · #6 01-25-2011, 04:27 PM

or going to a less-bright string, like half-rounds or pressure-wounds.

Joospocks · #7 01-25-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

or going to a less-bright string, like half-rounds or pressure-wounds.

Anyone have experience with the Ken Smith Compressors for a mellower roundwound tone? I've been interested in trying a set of them recently... (sorry for the sort of OT post)

shawshank72 · #8 01-25-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

Try rolling off the tone knob a bit.

already tried that

shawshank72 · #9 01-25-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

or going to a less-bright string, like half-rounds or pressure-wounds.

I use flats, have tried many brands too.

Pilgrim · #10 01-25-2011, 07:20 PM

Got any flats more than six months old? That helps, along with rolling the tone off further than you have tried.

mongo2 · #11 01-25-2011, 08:46 PM

Did you try adjusting the amp EQ?

JLS · #12 01-25-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawshank72

I have a p bass with a brass nut and no matter what I try the tone is always bright on it(even acoustically). Would changing the nut make a large difference in sound?

No.

phmike · #13 01-25-2011, 11:11 PM

Have you tried different tone/vol/cap values?
They're cheaper than strings and pups.

walterw · #14 01-26-2011, 12:40 AM

so flatwound strings with the tone rolled down is still too bright?

the problem may be the amp, not the bass.

JLS · #15 01-26-2011, 11:20 AM

This is a, "Not turning treble knobs far enough counterclockwise", issue, IMO.

JTE · #16 01-26-2011, 11:51 AM

Well, my experience is that sometimes the annoying part of the spectrum is in the bass. My '73 Precison was too bright and twangy for what I wanted. And because I managed a guitar store, I tried every kind of string I could get my hands on, several different pickups (stock Fenders, Fenders rewound by Seymour Duncan, stock Duncans, DiMarzio), different pots (CTS, Bournes, etc.), two bridges, and different caps (don't recall the values we tried- even sat around with caps on alligator clips, swapping them out in real time).

The problem was the bass. When I played that Precision unamplified, it was too bright and twangy for me. The inherent character of that particular combination of wood and metal wasn't what I wanted from a Precision. And the VS '62 I got in '83 had the essential character and sound I wanted right off the bat with one unamplified note. The '73 made a very nice bass for the guy who bought it and I still have the perfect (for ME) Precision I got on April 15, 1983.

So, it could very well be the way the woods interact with the strings that the OP is getting too much twang and edge. In my experience it's cheaper to get a new bass than to try changing everything on the bass.

And no, the brass nut doesn't do squat after you fret a note. So if it's only open strings that are too bright, change the nut. But if it's all of 'em, don't bother.

John

BigOldHarry · #17 01-26-2011, 11:52 AM

The nut only affects open strings. If your bass is too bright for you tastes, try different strings.

shawshank72 · #18 01-26-2011, 02:06 PM

I think you are right and its the bass itself.I have tried the tone knob, different strings, eq, pickups and nothing ever changes. Acoustically its the same way,my other basses do not have this problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Well, my experience is that sometimes the annoying part of the spectrum is in the bass. My '73 Precison was too bright and twangy for what I wanted. And because I managed a guitar store, I tried every kind of string I could get my hands on, several different pickups (stock Fenders, Fenders rewound by Seymour Duncan, stock Duncans, DiMarzio), different pots (CTS, Bournes, etc.), two bridges, and different caps (don't recall the values we tried- even sat around with caps on alligator clips, swapping them out in real time).

The problem was the bass. When I played that Precision unamplified, it was too bright and twangy for me. The inherent character of that particular combination of wood and metal wasn't what I wanted from a Precision. And the VS '62 I got in '83 had the essential character and sound I wanted right off the bat with one unamplified note. The '73 made a very nice bass for the guy who bought it and I still have the perfect (for ME) Precision I got on April 15, 1983.

So, it could very well be the way the woods interact with the strings that the OP is getting too much twang and edge. In my experience it's cheaper to get a new bass than to try changing everything on the bass.

And no, the brass nut doesn't do squat after you fret a note. So if it's only open strings that are too bright, change the nut. But if it's all of 'em, don't bother.

John