Replacing a nut

poorbassist15 · #1 08-06-2010, 09:39 PM

I got a new nut for my Fender 60s classic Jazz because The old one just sucks. So, I bought a Graph Tech Tusq Jazz nut off eBay. Instead of paying $40 to have my local shop do it, I wondered can I do it myself. I've never replaced a nut on a bass, so, how would I do it?

jumon · #2 08-07-2010, 03:11 AM

Here

JLS · #3 08-07-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

I got a new nut for my Fender 60s classic Jazz because The old one just sucks. So, I bought a Graph Tech Tusq Jazz nut off eBay. Instead of paying $40 to have my local shop do it, I wondered can I do it myself. I've never replaced a nut on a bass, so, how would I do it?

Certainly expertise and investment in tools, couldn't be worth $40!

Be VERY careful when you file the slots.

JTE · #4 08-07-2010, 01:25 PM

Cutting a nut is both one of the most critical aspects of a proper set-up, and the one most fraught with problems. It takes a LOT of patience to do it right, a good eye, a light touch, and patience. Also you need to not get in a hurry nor look for short-cuts. Did I mention it takes patience?

If you don't fully understand the factors involved, if you doubt your ability to stay focused and do boring repetitive steps, and if you're not sure about your ability to be very careful and precise with files, spend the forty bucks.

If you want to tackle it your self, get a couple of nuts, not just one. You're likely to screw the first one up, but you'll learn a lot. Then get a copy of Dan Erlewine's "How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great" or even better "Complete Guide to Guitar Repair".

With your bass safely locked in her case, sit down with the book and read the section on cutting a nut. Then read it again. THEN get your bass out, but leave the tools locked up, and read that section again, while looking at your bass, seeing how things look with it strung up and un-strung. When you're sure you understand the process, then start.

While the TUSQ nut might be the right width, it's almost sure to not have the slots right. Put it in (don't glue it yet), and see if the slots line up nicely. Then string up, tune to pitch, and taking your file, start slowly filing the E-string slot. File a bit, then check it with the string in the slot to see if it is at the right height. Repeat as often as needed.

John

T-Bird · #5 08-07-2010, 02:30 PM

Hi.

I'll give the same advice in a shorter version:
buy/find at least 6 cheapo nut blanks to practise on.

Regards
Sam

JLS · #6 08-07-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

I'll give the same advice in a shorter version:
buy/find at least 6 cheapo nut blanks to practise on.

Regards
Sam

Yep!

poorbassist15 · #7 08-07-2010, 09:43 PM

I'll just get my shop do do it. There goes grocery money.

T-Bird · #8 08-08-2010, 07:48 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

I'll just get my shop do do it. There goes grocery money.

It most certainly wasn't my intention to discourage You from doing the slotting yourself, and the way I read the other replies, it wasn't their intention either.

We just want You to practice on cheaper (or free) materials to get the feel of it and when You're confident enough, switch to the "real stuff".

Any hard plastic will do as well any hard wood.

The emery paper on a drill bit or even an old roundwound string can be used to shape the pre-cut slot if You don't wish to invest on a set of (inexpensive) needle files.

Regards
Sam

Hookus · #9 08-08-2010, 08:20 AM

In fact, most folks try to use jeweler's files or whatever they have to cut slots, when in reality, you should get a set of nut files, that even come in a specific string size.

testing1two · #10 08-08-2010, 01:26 PM

It's the best $40 you could spend to have the job done right. Unless you use precision files for a living or plan to practice on dozens upon dozens of nuts you will not be able to get the same results as your tech.

Bassman316 · #11 08-08-2010, 01:32 PM

This is probably about as far from correct filing technique as possible, but recently I replaced the nut on by acoustic/electric bass with one of the Graphtech black TUSQ nuts. Perfect fit, except the slots on the D and G strings were too small. I took an old D and G string from an old set of electric stainless steels laying around and used that to file the slots. Like I said, it's not something you'd see your local tech doing, but it worked for me. All the strings fit perfectly in their slots.