Should I File The Nut ?

[Growly Lytes]

Hi guys,
I just wanted to see if its safe to file the nut to get the action better on the E string ? Ive lowered the saddles & made trussrod adjustments. Theres a little gap under the first fret while holding down the second & third frets.Its not very big but would filing the nut get rid of the gap, its only on the E string btw ?? Can it cause any tuning problems ??
I just want better action on the E string only, the rest are great !!
Thanks Guys.
G.L

[KeithAlanK]

Go for it.
I've had to do this several times.

[Growly Lytes]

Thanks i need some positive advice here.Im worried that i may stuff something up like intonation ?
I quess im off to find files !!

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Growly Lytes

Thanks i need some positive advice here.Im worried that i may stuff something up like intonation ?
I quess im off to find files !!

Filing the nut won't affect intonation.

[zuma]

Go slowly man! There is a very fine line between just right and too much. DON'T BECOME IMPATIENT!!! Also, keep in mind that it will only affect your action on the open string and the feel on the first few frets.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by ggunn

Filing the nut won't affect intonation.

actually, a properly cut nut will improve intonation, especially in the first position. a nut that's too high can slightly sharpen a low F if it is cut too high (not low enough), since you'd be bending the note sharp when fretting it.

[Growly Lytes]

This is good news ! Ive always overlooked the nut & tried to get better action with lowering the saddles or giving it a turn with the trussrod.
I found out i can get some of these needle files from a store that sells gas supplies.
They use these neeedle files to clean Oxy Cutters.
$10 for a set of ten round little files of different sizes.
Thank you everybody.
Keep Rockin.
G.L

[JTE]

A properly cut nut is one of the most critical aspects of a good set-up, and one of the places factory production is the most likely to NOT do well. It's critical that the nut be exactly right, but if you go one pass of the file too many, you gotta start over again. That's a real problem in a mass production environment so they leave the nut too high almost all the time. I managed a guitar store for 11 years, and the only instruments that came in with the nuts consistently right were Takamine and Guild (we also were dealers for Ovation, Gibson, Washburn, Yamaha, Fender, G&L, etc.).

Take your time, don't get in a rush, and check it by tuning the string up to pitch and playing it frequently. After you get it right, you'll probably have to reset the intonation, but that's an easy task if you have a decent electronic tuner.

John

[mech]

Be sure the slot in the nut is slanted away from the fret board and that the edge of the slot next to the fret board is nice and sharp. This will give a good witness point for the string to break (bend) over. If the slot is cut parallel to the fret board the string will most likely buzz in the nut when played open.

When you think you can take just a little more off to make it perfect, STOP.

mech

[KeithAlanK]

Good advice from everyone here.
It's a painstaking process to get it right, but well worth it.

Mark the nut under the string so you have a visual reference of how much material you're removing.

[zuma]

Originally Posted by Growly Lytes

This is good news ! Ive always overlooked the nut & tried to get better action with lowering the saddles or giving it a turn with the trussrod.
I found out i can get some of these needle files from a store that sells gas supplies.
They use these neeedle files to clean Oxy Cutters.
$10 for a set of ten round little files of different sizes.
Thank you everybody.
Keep Rockin.
G.L

I have these and in a pinch they will work but I wouldn't use them on bass. The largest file will work on your G string slot and maybe the D but you will have to use a lot of back and forth motion on the A and E string slots. I would buy the files for the fatter strings but that's just me. If you go slow enough, any decent file will work.

[johnk_10]

i use these nut files:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_sa...&xst=3&xsr=458

the .046, .065, .085 and .105 (i also have an .078, and .115 but i guess that they don't sell those two any more)

[zuma]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i use these nut files:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_sa...&xst=3&xsr=458

the .046, .065, .085 and .105 (i also have an .078, and .115 but i guess that they don't sell those two any more)

Me too, except I bought the combo .105/.120 file in addition to the other three singles. I seem to remember that was the only way to do it so I guess they don't sell those other ones as you say.

[Growly Lytes]

Originally Posted by mech

Be sure the slot in the nut is slanted away from the fret board and that the edge of the slot next to the fret board is nice and sharp. This will give a good witness point for the string to break (bend) over. If the slot is cut parallel to the fret board the string will most likely buzz in the nut when played open.

When you think you can take just a little more off to make it perfect, STOP.

mech

Thank you so much. I really had no idea how important this is to do. I always thought that the nut was made to be as is & not to be touched.Then reading threads on TB i found that alot of people do this & get great results when done right.
I think the trick is as you said , to take it easy when filing , being patient & retuning the string testing it playing in the open position to make sure its o.k . Il post again about how its turning out.
Keep Rockin Brothers.
G.L

[Bassamatic]

For me, this is a very important contribution to the "feel" of a bass.

You should file it so that there is a thick sheet of paper clearance between your string and the first fret while you are holding the string on the second fret. Don't forget to check all your strings.

[Zooberwerx]

Stop by Pep Boys, plunk down $4, and get yourself a set of feeler gauges. They come in handy when doing nut work, setting relief, etc. FTR, I fret each string at the 3rd fret and measure between the 1st fret and bottom of the string. I aim for .003-.005".

Riis

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Stop by Pep Boys, plunk down $4, and get yourself a set of feeler gauges. They come in handy when doing nut work, setting relief, etc. FTR, I fret each string at the 3rd fret and measure between the 1st fret and bottom of the string. I aim for .003-.005".

Riis

+1 on getting a set of feeler gauges. Here's a tip on how to use them when slotting a nut.

First determine the height of the first fret by laying a straightedge on frets 1 and 2, and select the feeler that just fits under the straightedge between the two frets. Select a feeler 3 to 5 thou thicker and hold that against the nut on the fingerboard while you file each nut slot. When the file just kisses the feeler gauge you've gone far enough.

[Growly Lytes]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

+1 on getting a set of feeler gauges. Here's a tip on how to use them when slotting a nut.

First determine the height of the first fret by laying a straightedge on frets 1 and 2, and select the feeler that just fits under the straightedge between the two frets. Select a feeler 3 to 5 thou thicker and hold that against the nut on the fingerboard while you file each nut slot. When the file just kisses the feeler gauge you've gone far enough.

There is something very close to this process on Youtube.
A fellow used a Feeler to get the exact depth for the nut.
Have to check this out !

[darkstorm]

Just do a little bit at a time. Better to do too little then a little more for second or 3rd round. Rather then too much and haveing to replace whole nut as result.

[joeyl]

I bought these on ebay, they cover all the regular sizes for a 5 string bass


time will tell if they are durable but they cut smooth and nice.