my nut fell off

Diablo666Bass · #1 01-06-2007, 10:56 PM

i was re-stringing my bass, and my nut fell off. what glue should i use to put it back on?
also i put the B string (.135) in the nut (after it fell off) and it was very tight. the string is .010 bigger than the original string. i had the music store do a set-up which they put new strings on (about 6months ago) and i don't know what strings they used. but they look the same gauge and they both are very tight in the nut. how do i re-string my bass when the string wont move in the nut? (the music store did it, but i don't know how)
my bass is a Squier MB-5

Jonny B · #2 01-06-2007, 11:04 PM

Any type of wood glue will do to adhere the nut back to the headstock. I very small round (rat tail) file will widen the grove on the nut. That or go back a size on the strings.

Nelson Guitars · #3 01-07-2007, 08:07 AM

With a title like that get ready for some really lame jokes!

A nut that fits snugly needs no glue at all. The string tension should be enough to hold it in place. However, a small drop of glue is helpful in keeping it where you like. Just don't try to make it a bomb proof joint. It's not necessary and you will regret it come the day you need to replace the nut for any reason.

Be sure you want to go to the larger string before fileing the nut to fit. If you go back to the smaller size you may get a sitar like buzz on the open string because the notch is too wide. If this happens, you will have to replace the nut and my advice above will become relevant. The notch should ramp up from the peg head to where the string leaves the nut. Shape it so that the string sits hardest on the very edge of the nut where it meets the FB. Go slow and easy. You can't replace material (well, not easily) that has been removed. This process will also determine the action height when playing close to the nut.

Greg

spudmaster34 · #4 01-07-2007, 09:44 AM

I use a tiny dab of super-glue, really, really tiny

Diablo666Bass · #5 01-07-2007, 10:29 AM

i'm gonna get super glue from stewmac, but which one would be better 10, 20, or 30? or should i just use some wood glue?

also the old G string is very loose in the nut, my new G string isn't as loose, but it still has room to move around. is there any way of fixing it, with out getting a new nut?

Diablo666Bass · #6 01-07-2007, 11:11 AM

here is a pic...
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...bass/mynut.jpg

RareBear · #7 01-07-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelson_luthier

With a title like that get ready for some really lame jokes!...

Thanks for stopping me. I got a million of 'em. Like: as long as you still have one, you're in business....ok, never mind.

Joe Gress · #8 01-07-2007, 12:33 PM

Hehe, did you guys see this one?
part of my nut went flying across the room

Bryan316 · #9 01-07-2007, 12:59 PM

Hold on hold on HOOOOLD ON.

If you had a shop do a setup, and they did this terrible of a job concerning the nut, go back, loose nut in hand, and DEMAND they fix yo sh*t! Take your reciept (Gawd I hope you have a reciept) and make them glue it in properly, make them widen the nut slot for that string, and don't leave until you inspect it all again and play it in their shop.

Do NOT accept a crappy setup, and remind him that if they don't want to make you a satisfied customer, you'll make sure they get an unsatisfied reputation. I've done worlds of damage for crappy stores and crappy salesmen just by spreading the horror stories to everyone in their store. I refuse to get treated like crap that way.

Word of mouth is still a very powerful tool.

Nelson Guitars · #10 01-07-2007, 02:28 PM

Krazy glue from your local hardware store is more than good enough. Just use a very little bit. Less than you think you need! Even wood glue will do unless you have a graphite nut.

When I build acoustics one of my favorite glues is Elmer's white glue. Easy to clean, dries clear, is reversable and does not have the tendancy to creep like Titebond can. Just because school kids use it does not devalue it as a professional grade wood glue.

Greg

Diablo666Bass · #11 01-07-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan316

Hold on hold on HOOOOLD ON.

If you had a shop do a setup, and they did this terrible of a job concerning the nut, go back, loose nut in hand, and DEMAND they fix yo sh*t! Take your reciept (Gawd I hope you have a reciept) and make them glue it in properly, make them widen the nut slot for that string, and don't leave until you inspect it all again and play it in their shop.

Do NOT accept a crappy setup, and remind him that if they don't want to make you a satisfied customer, you'll make sure they get an unsatisfied reputation. I've done worlds of damage for crappy stores and crappy salesmen just by spreading the horror stories to everyone in their store. I refuse to get treated like crap that way.

Word of mouth is still a very powerful tool.

what happened was the music store put .135 on my bass. but when i changed the strings i put another .135 but the nut grabbed onto the string, and when i tightened it, the nut went with the string. i tried to put the old string back in it, and i had to jam it in. so i'm thinking how could they have stringed my bass, and how could i have been able to tune it?

my gf had a good idea tho. keep the nut that fell off, and get a new one. and have the new one the correct gauge for each string. and keep the old one. the new one can be for my ernie-ball power slinky (strings i like), and the old one for my fender super 7250-5M (original stock strings)

Diablo666Bass · #12 01-10-2007, 06:35 PM

i restrung my bass without shaving the nut down a little. i didn't glue it, just put it on with string tension. its sounds a lot better than before and it looks better with shinney strings.
there is about a 1mm gap between the fretboard and the nut at the B string (near G its flush), is this a problem, or is it ok?

spudmaster34 · #13 01-10-2007, 07:39 PM

it isn't great, try to push it in, or possibley sand down that side so it will fit a bit better

Diablo666Bass · #14 01-10-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

it isn't great, try to push it in, or possibley sand down that side so it will fit a bit better

what happened was when i put all the strings on it except my B it was nice and flush. i put the B on and tuned it put did not put it in the nut. (nut is still flush). i push the B into the nut and i had to tune it again. i had my brother holding the nut as i tuned it and he couldn't hold it back from moving. but it sounds a 1000 times better than it did before