Bridge/Nut Mod for Nylon Weedwackers

csmithbass · #1 04-13-2011, 05:14 PM

Hey all, I posted this in Strings too, but this may be a more appropriate area.

I just got a set of FMI Weedwacker Pro's. I love em, but obviously the E and A are way to wide for my steel string bridge. (I switched over to nylon for 2 reasons: no more bloody fingers, and my Kay is literally splitting it's plys from the tension)

Any advice on a DIY fix for the bridge/nut?

I've heard of using a file, also thought about a cylindrical dremmel. Just curious to hear other thoughts or ideas.

tyb507 · #2 04-13-2011, 06:24 PM

No Dremel, Use a round needle file and go slowly, being careful not to file the slots off in one direction or the other.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #3 04-13-2011, 07:30 PM

Chainsaw files work well too. Mark the bottom of the slots with white crayon to avoid making them deeper, only wider. I did mine with the string on the bass, tuned slack, to make measurements easy. Make sure to file straight so the string doesn't end up at an angle in the nut. Go slow. Power tools and basses are not friends.

T-Bird · #4 04-13-2011, 10:46 PM

Hi.

Unless You're jeweller by trade with an unexeptionally steady hand, I wouldn't use Dremel either. I'd guess they wouldn't use it either

.

If You don't have different diameter round files, or for some reason don't want to invest in a couple of 'em, a strip of emery paper around a drill bit is as good a tool as any for widening the slots.

Regards
Sam

**Francois Blais** · #5 04-14-2011, 03:50 PM

Very bad idea to cross-post questions on several boards.
I moved the question asked in the Strings forum here without knowing it was also posted here...

Cody Sisk · #6 04-14-2011, 05:10 PM

Take it to Robert Ross in Denver.

csmithbass · #7 04-17-2011, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the advice Francois, this is my first time using the community. Newbie mistake :-)

And everyone else, Thanks for the tips, i wasn't too thrilled about the dremel idea, so i think i'll give the filing a shot. i like your crayon idea, KUNGfu.

wouldn't I want to deepen them a little, though? I thought that the slots were supposed to be as wide, as the string and almost half the 'depth'. that is to say, a string, with almost a "U" shaped notch, so that the string was fully stopped, thus transferring more vibration into the bridge. Anyone know more about this?

Bob Ross is my regular luthier, i just like DIY jobs. I was actually gonna ask him about getting an old nut/bridge so i don't screw up my current steel-string set up...which is sweet!

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #8 04-17-2011, 02:28 PM

Half of the string depth is a bridge thing. You have a little leeway on that end. Cutting the nut slot too low is a bigger problem.