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Brass nuts

C

cstar

Dec 21, 2011
210
2
#1
Hey guys,

I'm curious what you think about brass nuts.

I got a brass nut for my jazz bass and had to do quite a bit of adjustment to the string slots. I got everything but the A slot then went too far on it and made it all buzzy sloppy. Basically ruined the nut. :rollno:

The tone with the brass nut was... interesting, though. Noticeably different from the cheap tusq nut I have now.

Would you recommend I get another nut and some decent nut files and try again? Will a brass nut be too bright overall?
 
#4
Unfortunately, most of us go through our bass playing career being not satisfied with the sound we produce. We listen to the great players and think, "if only I could sound like that."
The first thing that comes to mind, it must be my bass. "What can I do to improve my sound?" Then we go through the list, Strings, pickups, bridges, nuts, etc. etc. Our instrument's sound is a product of the sum of it's parts. Each item contributes something, however small, to the sound. Most changes we make, change the sound. However, in most cases the noticeable difference is very, very small.
I have heard some great players produce fabulous tone from a cheap, unmodified Squier or similar entry level bass. There is nothing wrong with modifying your bass, most of us change parts in searching for that magical tone. But, the truth is, we have the tone, it's in our fingers, our hearts and feelings. How long does it take to develop? Maybe soon, maybe not so soon, maybe a lifetime.
Rocky
 
#7
Rocky McDougall said:
Unfortunately, most of us go through our bass playing career being not satisfied with the sound we produce. We listen to the great players and think, "if only I could sound like that."
The first thing that comes to mind, it must be my bass. "What can I do to improve my sound?" Then we go through the list, Strings, pickups, bridges, nuts, etc. etc. Our instrument's sound is a product of the sum of it's parts. Each item contributes something, however small, to the sound. Most changes we make, change the sound. However, in most cases the noticeable difference is very, very small.
I have heard some great players produce fabulous tone from a cheap, unmodified Squier or similar entry level bass. There is nothing wrong with modifying your bass, most of us change parts in searching for that magical tone. But, the truth is, we have the tone, it's in our fingers, our hearts and feelings. How long does it take to develop? Maybe soon, maybe not so soon, maybe a lifetime.
Rocky
Click to expand...

+1. well said.
 
#9
Thanks guys.

I am fully aware that practice is what really makes the tone + sound.

It's just my opinion that everything on an instrument affects the sound, at some level. I don't expect any mods to make me a better player or to instantly "fix" my sound... I just need experience of course, but I also enjoy working on / customizing my bass and so as long as I recognize that these mods aren't the real key to my sound then I don't think I'm hurting myself.

At the end of the day, I can feel the difference between a cheap bass and a quality bass. I realize that a great player can make the cheap bass sound incredible... I just have my preferences in an instrument.

Thanks for the help though! I appreciate it.
 
#10
I've found that the nut helps. I replaced the graphite just-a-nut on my Warwick thumb with brass. I took my time, and cut the slots myself using the old nut as a guide and I really love the result. It improves the tone of open notes and harmonics 100%. I'm of the opinion that you should always try to use a nut that has the same tonal characteristics as the frets. That might change if I ever find myself trying to saw slots into a block of stainless steel.

As for practice, if the open notes and the fretted notes sound different, no amount of practice is going to make them sound the same. They might both sound better, but not the same.
 
#12
Thanks for the input guys.

I think I am going to try a brass nut again. I will be sure and purchase some decent nut files to make sure it comes out right this time.

In response to the reply directly above, I do already have a brass bridge (a big one, in fact! It is 14 ounces of 360HH brass, saddles and all:) ) and I currently use steel rounds, Ernie Ball 55-110 ("Power Bass"), and I LOVE THEM. Great sound.
 
#13
cstar said:
Thanks for the input guys.

I think I am going to try a brass nut again. I will be sure and purchase some decent nut files to make sure it comes out right this time.

In response to the reply directly above, I do already have a brass bridge (a big one, in fact! It is 14 ounces of 360HH brass, saddles and all:) ) and I currently use steel rounds, Ernie Ball 55-110 ("Power Bass"), and I LOVE THEM. Great sound.
Click to expand...

Those specialized files can get expensive. I used jewelers' files for mine. They're cheap and you only need two. I used the corner of a three square to get the slots started straight, and then sized them with a tapered round file. The guitar tech that advised me actually said he usually chucks a tapered round into a drill and goes after it, but I wasn't that brave.
 
#15
cstar said:
Hey guys,

I'm curious what you think about brass nuts.

I got a brass nut for my jazz bass and had to do quite a bit of adjustment to the string slots. I got everything but the A slot then went too far on it and made it all buzzy sloppy. Basically ruined the nut. :rollno:
Click to expand...

Before you put the new nut on, shim up the old one and adjust it out to be playable. It may work out for you, and at the worst, you get another try at doing the job before you try your new nut.
 

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