Slotted Jazz Bass Brass Nut????

Gideon352 · #1 09-03-2010, 05:51 PM

Does anyone know where I can buy a pre-slotted 1.5" Jazz Bass nut???
I can't find one for sale anywhere! Help!!!! Thanks!!!!!

Gideon352 · #2 09-06-2010, 05:28 PM

Wow, this can't be right. Nothing???

JLS · #3 09-06-2010, 07:23 PM

Expecting a pre-slotted nut, to just drop in, and be on the money, is a fool's game. If the nut is brass, all the more problems.

Brass nuts were a big (stupid) deal, 20-30 years ago.

Gideon352 · #4 09-07-2010, 12:47 AM

Fair enough on the first point, not sure about the second.

Muaguana · #5 09-07-2010, 12:54 AM

Weird. It seems like most retailers (i.e., all the online ones I've seen so far) don't have them for jazz basses. If they have brass bass nuts at all, they're for P basses.

JLS · #6 09-07-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon352

Fair enough on the first point, not sure about the second.

I was there, trust me...

Billy Low · #7 09-07-2010, 01:09 AM

Don't trip, I posted that same question over 2.5 months ago and all I got were crickets! I just don't feel like cutting my own brass nut!

JLS · #8 09-07-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Low

Don't trip, I posted that same question over 2.5 months ago and all I got were crickets! I just don't feel like cutting my own brass nut!

...which is how every guitar repairperson feels!

C.Linton · #9 09-07-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon352

Fair enough on the first point, not sure about the second.

I think what he means is that there were a fad back then that turned to be much ado about nothing. In other words there is apparently no great advantage to be had by installing a brass nut over the usual materials nuts are made from.

JLS · #10 09-07-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

I think what he means is that there were a fad back then that turned to be much ado about nothing. In other words there is apparently no great advantage to be had by installing a brass nut over the usual materials nuts are made from.

Yup.

bubinga5 · #11 09-07-2010, 12:14 PM

not gonna make alot of difference tonally..looks good though

Ewo · #12 09-07-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

I think what he means is that there were a fad back then that turned to be much ado about nothing. In other words there is apparently no great advantage to be had by installing a brass nut over the usual materials nuts are made from.

That was my experience, too, with an old P, about twenty years ago.

I cut a brass blank with a jeweler's saw, then notched it with a small round file. (Used the plastic nut as a template.) Put it on the bass, restrung, and voila: no change in tone I could hear...

Some folks say brass nuts are better because they won't break or wear out. Meh...I've never needed to replace a nut on any of my instruments.

SlingBass4 · #13 09-07-2010, 12:25 PM

My guitar tech was the one who suggested a brass nut for my new Warmoth neck about 9 months ago. I'd never had one, but remember quite a few folks having them 'back in the day'. He made it from (more or less) scratch. I can't say I feel one way or the other about it. I like it OK as it is slightly different - but can I say I prefer it over some other materials (and I've used, now, everything)? No. It's just different. IF it's going to cost you a premium...forget it. IF you can get it for the same price (as did I)...go for it. I don't, however, think it's going to change your world one way or the other

Eric Moesle · #14 09-07-2010, 05:33 PM

Even "IF" a brass nut made a difference, it would only affect open notes, because once you fret a note the nut is totally out of the equation.

Years ago I had a brass nut professionally installed - it made no discernable difference whatsoever, other than the look of it.

ANY nut, regardless of material, should be cut to fit the specific bass for maximum playability. "Off the shelf" pre-cut nuts almost never offer superior playability when installed unless they are filed and shaped further after installation.

Gideon352 · #15 09-08-2010, 09:11 AM

Thanks for the replies fellas. I do agree that brass string nuts mainly (if not only) affect the sound on open notes. I play a lot of open notes.

To me, a nickel string nut would be preferable, as to match my frets....but that's asking too much as I can't even find a brass string nut for a jazz bass width neck, only a p-bass.

Ironically, I do not want to do this myself. I'm just having a hard time finding a good luthier close by. I'll keep looking....

Thanks again!

Billy Low · #16 09-08-2010, 10:57 AM

Contrary to the new belief that a brass nut doesn't effect tone, it really does. It aides in giving a more consistant tone between fretted an open notes. It also aides in sustain with the open notes. It's simple physics really; the harder the material, the greater the transference of energy.

This is the same principle behind the composition of bridges and tailpieces. Why such the fuss? I'll answer that for you...because there is a difference! Albeit the difference may be subtle for some.