Changing Nut Height

Titanoguy · #1 07-15-2006, 06:10 PM

From reading others articles i'm quite certain my strings are too high at the nut. I've read recommendations of one business card thick. Mine is 4 cards or .035 with a feeler guage. I've adjusted nuts on my mandolin and guitar by removing the nut and carefully sanding the bottom of the nut so I don't mess with the top part. All my strings are the same distance from the fingerboard, so does this method make sense on a doublebass? Please let me know if this is not a good idea. Thanks!

idahohay · #2 07-15-2006, 07:19 PM

I think most will agree that it is far easier and more precise to adust the slots from the top. You might find the nut is so overly glued that it will be difficult to remove in one piece anyway.

Jazzman · #3 07-15-2006, 09:47 PM

I have seen that method used on double bass by a violin guy...either placing a shim under the nut, or by removing material from the bottom of the nut.

Personally, I think it would be much easier to lower the slots with a file, then reshape the nut accordingly. No gluing/clamping involved.

nicklloyd · #4 07-16-2006, 09:54 AM

You can first dress the top of the nut down with a fine rasp or coarse file, then re-groove the string slots with a needle file. Finish up with 220, 320 paper. Use plenty of pencil lead in the grooves before you string the basss back up. One business card thick is a good idea.

Removing the nut is not needed. However, keeping the soundpost up while the strings are off is very important. Use a canvas bag of buckshot or a nylon strap clamp around the body of the bass.

Titanoguy · #5 07-16-2006, 12:46 PM

thanks for all the advice. I followed it and made the adjustments on the top. You are right, the nut may not come off as easy on an upright as a mandolin. The madolin and guitar just pop off very easy and you don't even have to glue them back down if you want cause nothing moves anyway. Anyway I took 2 hours and very, very, carefully moved them down to one business card height. I will try this a week before I touch the bridge as I see my action lowered just a little down and the bottom of the fingerboard. From what I've read, you should always do the nut first, then the bridge. Hope I'm on target. Thanks again.