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02-28-2010, 03:44 PM
| | | | Will i need to file my bridge/ nut for these?
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Hi guys, i just ordered a pack of GHS bass boomers. They're the heavy gauge (.50, .70, .95, .115). I have a some D'Addario 105's on right now; and i have to tune down to CGCF for most of my bands set now, so i bought these. I don't know whether they'll be too thick and i'll have to file my nut and bridge, or if they'll just wear in eventually and make places for themselves. I have no clue about this. If you could help me out and put my mind at ease here that'd be great. Thanks, guys.
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02-28-2010, 03:48 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada | | | I'm looking at a set of strings that are the same Gauge, not sure what set I will go with, but I'd also like to know if I will need to get my basses nut filed down to fit a set of these strings.
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02-28-2010, 03:56 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by dukeisdog  I'm looking at a set of strings that are the same Gauge, not sure what set I will go with, but I'd also like to know if I will need to get my basses nut filed down to fit a set of these strings.
Subscribed. | Yeah, the previous owner of my bass had a custom gauge nut fitted for light strings, so when i put the 105's in i had to shave the nut and i did it too much so it screwed up the sound, but some cardboard in the slot fixed that a little bit. I'm hoping these new strings will wear into the nut, but my main concern is the bridge not having wide enough slots for them. I'm going to replace the bridge for a gotoh 201 soon anyway, so we'll see if that works out any better.
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How to get Kurt Danielson's tones. Words from the man himself: Search: "Kurt Danielson and TAD". Look for my thread.
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02-28-2010, 06:56 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipper43 Yeah, the previous owner of my bass had a custom gauge nut fitted for light strings, so when i put the 105's in i had to shave the nut and i did it too much so it screwed up the sound, but some cardboard in the slot fixed that a little bit. I'm hoping these new strings will wear into the nut, but my main concern is the bridge not having wide enough slots for them. I'm going to replace the bridge for a gotoh 201 soon anyway, so we'll see if that works out any better. | If the nut slots are not wide enough for the strings they will have to be widened. Nut files are the ideal tool for this job. Same goes for the saddles.
The strings will not magically widen the slots by themselves. The strings will ride high on the existing saddle slots and that can cause premature string wear. As far as widening the nut slots, the chances are more likely that the outside strings will chip or crack the nut rather than perform the work by themselves.
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02-28-2010, 07:00 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by 202dy If the nut slots are not wide enough for the strings they will have to be widened. Nut files are the ideal tool for this job. Same goes for the saddles.
The strings will not magically widen the slots by themselves. The strings will ride high on the existing saddle slots and that can cause premature string wear. As far as widening the nut slots, the chances are more likely that the outside strings will chip or crack the nut rather than perform the work by themselves. | Thanks. I think i'm going to order this set of files -http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4614- but i have no idea which file i have to use for the nut and bridge for that gauge of strings, and i've screwed up filing before, so i want to know how careful i should be about it this time around and how i should do it to avoid over-filing.
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How to get Kurt Danielson's tones. Words from the man himself: Search: "Kurt Danielson and TAD". Look for my thread.
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03-01-2010, 06:41 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipper43 Thanks. I think i'm going to order this set of files -http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4614- but i have no idea which file i have to use for the nut and bridge for that gauge of strings, and i've screwed up filing before, so i want to know how careful i should be about it this time around and how i should do it to avoid over-filing. | That's easy. None of them.
Try here: Stew MacDonald nut files. Smaller gauged files can be "rolled" in the slot to create a larger slot.
The easiest way to avoid filing slots to deep is to use feeler gauges. Measure from the bottom of the slot to the fingerboard. Stack up three or four feeler gauges to equal this number. Place the stack on the fingerboard and against the nut. As soon as the file chatters against the metal gauge on top, stop filing. It's a good idea to use a leaf that is .020 or larger on top. It is more robust and won't usually be one that will be used in other set up procedures.
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Primum non nocere.
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03-01-2010, 06:43 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: D'Shaw | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipper43 i've screwed up filing before | How about letting tech do it or practice on some spares?
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03-01-2010, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mongo2 How about letting tech do it or practice on some spares? | Eh, i don't feel like spending extra money for labor, nor do i have that money to spend 
Plus i'm more of a DIY kind of guy
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How to get Kurt Danielson's tones. Words from the man himself: Search: "Kurt Danielson and TAD". Look for my thread.
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03-01-2010, 03:27 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado | | Quote:
Originally Posted by 202dy
The easiest way to avoid filing slots to deep is to use feeler gauges. Measure from the bottom of the slot to the fingerboard. Stack up three or four feeler gauges to equal this number. Place the stack on the fingerboard and against the nut. As soon as the file chatters against the metal gauge on top, stop filing. It's a good idea to use a leaf that is .020 or larger on top. It is more robust and won't usually be one that will be used in other set up procedures.
| Making notes here...great advice! 
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03-01-2010, 03:31 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by 202dy That's easy. None of them.
Try here: Stew MacDonald nut files. Smaller gauged files can be "rolled" in the slot to create a larger slot.
The easiest way to avoid filing slots to deep is to use feeler gauges. Measure from the bottom of the slot to the fingerboard. Stack up three or four feeler gauges to equal this number. Place the stack on the fingerboard and against the nut. As soon as the file chatters against the metal gauge on top, stop filing. It's a good idea to use a leaf that is .020 or larger on top. It is more robust and won't usually be one that will be used in other set up procedures. | Ok, so if i want to file a spot for a 115 gauge string on the bridge and nut, i would just use a .105 file and stack a .10 file on top of it..?
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How to get Kurt Danielson's tones. Words from the man himself: Search: "Kurt Danielson and TAD". Look for my thread.
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03-01-2010, 03:55 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NJ | | | re strings
Hi,
Whatever u do don't force the bigger strings in the nut...it will most likely crack or split and you got a bigger problem....If you have a round file and are handy with tools you can make em all fit ...if not have someone else do it nd save your bass!!!!
good luck!! |
03-01-2010, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Flipper43 Ok, so if i want to file a spot for a 115 gauge string on the bridge and nut, i would just use a .105 file and stack a .10 file on top of it..? | No. Stack feeler gauges. Roll files.
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Primum non nocere.
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03-02-2010, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Flipper43 Ok, so if i want to file a spot for a 115 gauge string on the bridge and nut, i would just use a .105 file and stack a .10 file on top of it..? | the fact that .105 + .10 = .205, not .115, and the fact that you even asked such a non-sequiter question, tells me that you probably need to not bother with this and get it done by a pro.
trust me, this is one of the hardest parts of a set-up to get right, even for an experienced pro, and one of the easiest parts to go south quick and force you to spend more money replacing the nut  ; it's also one that makes a huge difference in how well the instrument plays when you're done.
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Walter Wright
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Alpha Music, VA Beach
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