replacing nut

[tranceFusion]

I have a MIJ Fender Jazz Bass that is a reissue of an older model bass. The side of the nut near the E string has chipped off when I was about to change the strings.

I ordered a replacement Tusq nut for a Fender Jazz but it was not the correct size - it was 1 1/2" where as my nut seems to be 1 3/8". The strings are closer than the slots are cut.

A local repair guy tells me that he can make me an ivory or bone nut, that it will be an hour job, and cost about $50.. does this sound like what I want to do? is there another option for getting a pre-cut nut? should i be using a different material? thanks.

[Widdershins]

How much would it cost to order a blank and have this guy cut it?
Bone, and most certainly ivory, sound more expensive & "pre-cut" is a roll of the dice.

[Turnaround]

The cost of the nut blank isn't particularly significant in the price of the replacement nut. A bone nut blank averages about $6, a Tusq one about the same, and a Micarta one about $3.50. The labour is what you pay for when having a custom nut made.

[tranceFusion]

yeah I mean I guess my questions are.. is $50 a fair price, is having this guy cut it better than a pre-slotted one (although I don't think I can find one for this bass), and should I select a particular material for this particular bass?

[Turnaround]

$50 seems a good price for a custom nut. As for materials, I prefer bone, but there's nothing wrong with either Micarta or Tusq. Wood and bone are both natural marterials - I rather like the idea of the marriage of the two.

[Slowgypsy]

The price is fair... not a bargain, but certainly fair. Almost any nut you purchase that already has slots cut into it will need an adjustment... usually the slots aren't cut deep enough... so getting this made to order is smart.

[D.Don]

Get a brass nut while your at it!



D.Don

[bassmanrocke]

A bone nut cut and installed for $50 is a good deal. Bone is much harder and will absorb less vibrations than plastic so it is a much better choice(far more resonant). I've been told that the friction of the string vibration can actually harden bone making it even more resonant(I don't know if this is true, but once installed I've never had to have work done on a bone nut). Brass will make the bass brighter and more alive sounding(good or bad depending on your tastes), but is softer than steel and the strings will eventually wear it down requiring replacement.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by bassmanrocke

Brass will make the bass brighter and more alive sounding.

Note that this is true only for open strings. Once the string is fretted, the nut no longer has an effect on the sound.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

Note that this is true only for open strings. Once the string is fretted, the nut no longer has an effect on the sound.

And if one changes to brass in "string bed" of the bridge one would get the same effect, no?

D.Don

[Turnaround]

If one changes the bridge from one material to another, there may be an effect on the sound, both for fretted and unfretted notes since the bridge is the terminal point of the vibrating section of the string. But a nut is only part of the vibrating part of the string when the string is not fretted. Once a string is fretted the terminating part of the vibrating string is the fret. The nut no longer has an effect.

[tranceFusion]

I decided to go with the Tusq. I was a bit concerned about the uneven sustain across the different strings that is reportedly a problem with the bone..

anyway i am supposed to pick it up today so i am crossing my fingers!