Slotting a nut

[Eric Cioe]

My fretless neck came without a nut installed, so I put the one that the seller of the neck sent with it. The slots are far too high, high enough to cause me pain playing in first position. Not only that, but I'm getting a rattling from open strings and harmonics sometimes that stops when I push down a bit behind the nut. I'm assuming that means that the strings aren't really sitting in the slots right.

I know I should probably bring it to a tech, but there is no one in my area worth a damn at it. After a few burns in that way, I decided that I would learn all of this stuff on my own. I do fine with setups, have fixed striped screw holes, and am happy with all of my work. I want to learn, so don't refer me to a tech.

[Rodent]

if you think you'll be cutting your own nuts more than just this time, you could always purchase a set of files that match your string diameters

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...ing_Files.html

all the best,

R

[lonote]

I don't think I'd try it without a set of files. Look at the Stewmac website and check out the nut files.

http://www.stewmac.com

[Diego]

If you will be making a new nut, get some decent files. If you are just to "fine tune" the cutting on yours you can do the following, it actually works quite all right:

Get some string ends after you cut strings when restringing. Save these cuts and note their gauge. Then you can super-glue 320 or 400 grit sand paper to the string pieces (wrapped around the string piece) and superglue the whole thing to a half of a kabob wooden or bamboo stick to use as a handle (actually you may opt for not using this handle, I personally don't find it necessary). For each string groove, use a string cut end that is thinner in diameter. For example, use a cut section of a G string to sand the groove for the A string.

This method works quite well for smoothening or deepening nut grooves, but I would not recommend it for actually cutting the grooves.

Diego

[Figjam]

What kind of bass?

[Eric Cioe]

MIM Precision with a fretless (birdseye maple / pau ferro) Warmoth neck. It's going to be my "singer-songwriter" bass - think the bass tone on Neil Young's Harvest, or The Band's Music from Big Pink, only fretless.