Replacing the nut in my '76 P bass

Juniorkimbrough · #1 03-10-2007, 09:18 PM

I just ordered a Graph Tech pre-slotted nut from guitar parts resource to replace the current nut on the "76 P bass I just bought.

the string spacing of the nut that is on there is off, whoever filed it when they installed it messed up the spacing. it's not THAT noticable but it kinda gets on my nerves and seeing how it's not the original nut I just thought I'd go ahead and replace it.

As far as removing the old nut, is there any certain way to go about this or just tap it out from the side?

When putting in the new nut how do I glue it in, is there any kind of special glue I need to use or just use a couple drops of super glue?

Thanks!

Here's a picture of the current nut, you can see how the spacing is off...

Turnaround · #2 03-11-2007, 12:18 PM

I wouldn't try tapping it out from the side. The best method I have found is to saw down the centre of the nut (that is crossways to the neck) nearly to the bottom of the nut. Then grab the nut with some pliers - as you squeeze you will be closing the saw gap and separating the sides of the nut from the neck. Should pull out fairly cleanly then with a bit of wiggling. Yo need to be careful though when sawing the nut. If you slip you're going to damage the fingerboard or headstock. I always tape some cardboard on either side of the nut for protection before I start.

Juniorkimbrough · #3 03-12-2007, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the response!

Anyone else have any tips?

I would assume it wouldn't be that difficult to set the depth on each string slot since the current nut is perfect...I should just be able to match it up to the depth of it, shouldn't I?

Trevorus · #4 03-12-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

Thanks for the response!

Anyone else have any tips?

I would assume it wouldn't be that difficult to set the depth on each string slot since the current nut is perfect...I should just be able to match it up to the depth of it, shouldn't I?

I generally use a small jewlers screwdriver to break the glue underneath. As far as replacing it, I would look into fender's pre-slotted stuff. It should be a very close match.

Jimbob Jones · #5 03-12-2007, 11:55 AM

try giving it a light, but sharp tap on the side with a hammer and centre punch, but if it doesnt come out first time, dont force it. If that doesnt work, use turnaround's method.

remo · #6 03-13-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

try giving it a light, but sharp tap on the side with a hammer and centre punch, but if it doesnt come out first time, dont force it. If that doesnt work, use turnaround's method.

+1.. I used a flathead screwdriver (sized to match the edge of the nut) instead of a centrepunch so I did not split the nut.. a centrepunch should be fine as long as the tip of it is not very pointy.. a flatter tipped one would be best.. the nut popped out of my MIA P quite easily..

then I cleaned up the nut trough with a small flat head screwdriver, got all the old glue out and made sure it was nice and smooth. Don't sand the nut trough flat though.. they usually have a radius to them, like the neck. Check the new nut fits well and there is no overhang.. if there is get the nut right before you fit it so you don't damage the neck.

If there is over hang you can either file down both sides or just one side.. you can also put the nut in (no glue) and put the strings in it and tighten them up a bit.. just to see if you like where the nut is sitting and that you are happy with the string spacing.. take a mental note of where it is.. remove strings, and glue it in there!

Juniorkimbrough · #7 03-13-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys!

After thinking good and hard about this the past several days while waiting on the nut I ordered in the mail I think I've decided I'd rather drop it off to the local luthier and pay him $20 to do it for me.

As of lately I have very little spare time on my hands and I think I'd rather be practicing than worrying/stressing about replacing the nut myself.

Turnaround · #8 03-14-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

I think I've decided I'd rather drop it off to the local luthier and pay him $20 to do it for me.

Good choice. If the luthier messes it up you can vent your anger on him. If you do it yourself and mess up, you will just be kicking yourself around the block for days on end.

Much healthier to offload the guilt.

Juniorkimbrough · #9 03-16-2007, 10:30 AM

haha, so true!

Luckily the guy I took it supposedly really knows his stuff. He works here in Memphis at the Gibson guitar factory and does stuff like this on the side.

blipndub · #10 03-16-2007, 11:12 AM

$20 for a nut replacement is a great deal. Go with that. It's somtimes hard to find the correct width of nut for those old fenders. The pbass nuts can run 1 1/16" which is impossible to find pre-slotted. So it's good to make a nut and it's great to have a luthier do it for you!

Juniorkimbrough · #11 03-16-2007, 11:14 AM

i took the graph tech nut but told 'em if he'd rather use a bone nut and cut it himself that was fine with me. i'd rather it be done right the first time.

Juniorkimbrough · #12 03-22-2007, 07:04 AM

well I got it back yesterday and I need to do some tweaking to it unfortunately.

He installed the nut just fine BUT he didn't file down the nut slots at all and the strings are a bit too high. So I'm going to need to file down each slot just a little bit. You guys have any suggestions on an easy way to do this?

Juniorkimbrough · #13 03-22-2007, 12:30 PM

are their specific files I need to use?

the nut was preslotted but the slots aren't quite deep enough.

Turnaround · #14 03-22-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

I've gotten by with a lot of substitutes, including even "quick and dirtying" the slot with a section of old string, but if you want it done right you need the right tools.

You can always buy some deeper slots and install them yourself. The trick is finding a supplier....

I got mine locally from a slot machine.

Juniorkimbrough · #15 03-22-2007, 03:39 PM

I might just go ahead and buy some files.

What size would you recommend I get that is perfect for the G string slot?

Juniorkimbrough · #16 03-23-2007, 08:18 AM

Thanks for the help guys!

I called around trying to find some small files and finally went to a hardware store and an older gentleman was nice enough to try and help me find something that would work for my guitar work. We ended up finding some welding tip cleaners that worked perfecting. These wouldn't work for nuts that aren't preslotted, but they worked perfect to slowly file down each slot a bit and the set of welding tip cleaners on cost me about $6.