sorry for a noob question about string height at nut

[azureblue]

but I can't seem to find a definitive answer.

I need the file down my too high brass nut. It's a five string bass, and I use both large flats and ground wounds on it. I finger pick and sometimes play a bit hard. The bass will be used for mostly old school funk and soul and jazz. I like a little bit a resistance.

I'm going to do a full set up on the bass.

All that said, what string clearance should there be at the first fret? Or could somebody point me to a reliable source?
Thanks

[Dirk Diggler]

Why not measure a bass you like the feel of?

I find in my builds I find it's completely dependent on the individual bass and application. But then again I usually do it by hand and eye with no measurements at all.

Good luck,
Dirk

[Musiclogic]

A good reference would be 3/32" to 1/16" depending if the neck is straight or angled back, and adjust for your feel as you set the final action

[azureblue]

good point- I should basically cop the set up on my flatwound (050's) BB5000. It's a little bit stiff in first position, compared to other basses I play, but I like it that way. Thanks for the input....

[T-Bird]

Hi.

One recent thread of many about the subject: Determining depth of nut slots

You won't find a definitive answer to a question like that from anyone, just like Dirk said, measure a setup you like.

Regards
Sam

[Stone Age]

I make the bottom of the nut slots the same as the height from the fretboard to the top of the first fret. If that makes any sense.

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

this makes it simple

[JLS]

Go very, very, very slowly!

I do it by eye/ear, listening to the, "tink" the string makes, when I tap it between the nut & F3, holding the string down @ F3.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

A good reference would be 3/32" to 1/16" depending if the neck is straight or angled back, and adjust for your feel as you set the final action

oh wait, are you referring to how deep the slot should be from the top of the nut itself? that's a different issue entirely, and has nothing to do with playability.

(to the OP) conceptually, if everything else on the bass is right, the string height off the first fret when open should be almost as close as the string height off the second fret when fretting at the first fret.

[JTE]

A simple guide is to fret the string at the third fret and see how much clearance there is between the strung and the first fret. When the string just barely clears the first fret, you're pretty good.

John

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

A good reference would be 3/32" to 1/16" depending if the neck is straight or angled back, and adjust for your feel as you set the final action

This would be an enormous height at the nut - which is totally ok if you like it that way. The correct answer is: as low as possible, as high as necessary.