seeking advice on nut height

[Chris K]

I play a fretless G&L L2500 as main. To play in the streets I have a Dean Edge 4 fretless.

On the G&L, the distance between strings and fingerboad right after the nut is considerably more compared to the Dean. On the Dean the strings are able to ring freely (as open strings) and that's it. On the G&L there is at least 1 mm free space. At the first position ('fret') this causes the action to be rather tough. My suspcion is that the G&L nut is the same as on fretted models, needed to keep the strings free from fret 1.

My question is: what would be the general rule for nut height on a fretless? Would you just mount another nut or could it be worked on?

[PilbaraBass]

The distance from the nut slot to the board on a fretless should be about the width of a business card (0.5mm)...for a fretted, the distance from the nut slot to the top of the first fret (level across 1st 3 frets) should be about 0.5mm ...

I suspect that your suspicions are correct.

the nut can definitely be worked on

[Foamy]

You can lower it yourself by carefully sanding. My method is to clamp it between 2 pieces of hardwood and leave exposed what I want to sand, and then use a VERY light tough with a belt sander. I mount the sander, and gently and slowly apply the exposed piece of the nut until I get to the wood. Not sure what your woodworking skills are - so a word of caution. A belt sander can be like a girlfriend. It can take off everything in a split second, so ya gotta pay attention. If you're not careful, she'll ruin your nut in a heartbeat though.

[Chris K]

Guys you've been a real help.
Sanding it down - was what I planned to try.
I have a sanding machine, but maybe a soft handfile is even better (?) Plus those blocks of course.

[vbasscustom]

yeah, a file would probably be best. but a word of caution with plastic nuts, if hats what yours is. some of them are hollow form. im not sure about G&L nuts or what they are made of, but just watch out.

[Beej]

I personally find nut adjustments easier to maintain accuracy by working the slots as opposed to shaving the bottom, but to each their own...

[carl h.]

Originally Posted by Beej

I personally find nut adjustments easier to maintain accuracy by working the slots as opposed to shaving the bottom, but to each their own...

+1
A good set of needle files will do the job nicely.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by carl h.

+1
A good set of needle files will do the job nicely.

Opens the possibility to adjust the strings individually... nice option, thanks.