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Compensating/Temp fix for a nut slot that is too deep?

Fingerz

Fingerz

Jan 21, 2008
174
105
UK
#1
Hello,

I have just acquired a lovely new 5 string bass, and re-strung it with my usual strings (DR fat beams 45-125).

The issue that arose was the simple fact that the Nut Groove for the A-String is too deep with my regular gauge strings. I have tried everything else, and eliminated all other possibilities - this is defo my issue here. Simple fix of course, other than it is a lacquered board, is to get a luthier to sort this out for me. Meaning I have to part with the bass for a few days.

I have gigs this week which ideally I need the bass for. I can play around it - but with funk stuff I tend to utilise a bit of that 'dead' open string percussive thing between notes, which gives me a nasty choking sound as the string rattles against the first fret! Hmmmm... Not Ideal.

Now for my question (!):


I wondered if you know of any temporary fix, whereby I can put something into/under the string in that slot (it's very close so needs very little tweaking), which will get me by for now?


I know it's rough - but I'm thinking lesser of two evils here.


Thanks so much, I owe you a beer if you can help !!!;)
 
#3
ddnidd1 said:
You can buildup the nut slot to the proper height with a permanent fix by using baking soda and CA(super) glue. There are detailed threads on TB of exactly how to do this repair.
Click to expand...

Oh great. Thanks ddnid1! I guess though I have to be really careful here, I won't be able to get my nut out - I don't want to try my luck with the lacquered finish- so I guess I'll have to be careful not to get anything on the neck/headstock. I was wondering if there's anything more temporary that would go in there for now until I can get it done properly. I'll take a look though - if it's my only choice I'm sure I could manage it.
 
#5
tjh said:
thin paper under string in slot, folded enough to make the right height ... but be careful not to round it up the sides of the string, so that it does not slide free in the slot ... I have done it several times, never had a problem
Click to expand...

This is a great tip for a proper temporary fix. Has worked every time for me, both on nuts and wooden bridges.
 
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#6
Cool. That sounds more like it. I'm sure I don't have a file thin enough to make a good job of the baking soda superglue trick. So just some paper from a note pad or something? Wow.. A bit of a 'bodge' as we say here (!), but it'll take me minutes to do and gets me out of trouble.

Thank you guys. I have a few beers to buy then... :laugh:
 
#7
Fingerz said:
Cool. That sounds more like it. I'm sure I don't have a file thin enough to make a good job of the baking soda superglue trick. So just some paper from a note pad or something? Wow.. A bit of a 'bodge' as we say here (!), but it'll take me minutes to do and gets me out of trouble.

Thank you guys. I have a few beers to buy then... :laugh:
Click to expand...

You don't need a file really. Just mask the wood on both sides of the nut to make sure you don't get any glue on the finish. Then put a small amount of baking soda in the bottom of the slot, then drop a single, small drop of CA glue into the slot. It will dry almost instantly.
 
#9
When I was a little bitty kid...OK I was never little bitty...when I was very young I remember seeing my dad's old Silvertone archtop electric guitar with pieces of paper under some of the strings where they went over the nut.
 
#13
Just did it with the Alooominum foil. Makes sense to me as it retains the resonance. That's probably all in my head, but paper may be dampening slightly, and compress over time. Foil has done the job perfectly.

Thanks so much guys!
 
#16
I use a small piece of paper the width of the nut slot from a paper string envelope, soak it in super glue, double it over into the slot, let it dry and harden, trim the ends with an exacto knife, and play. I don't mess with the baking soda. Two thicknesses of the string envelope paper are usually enough to get rid of string buzz. I fixed a high E string on a guitar like that twenty years ago, and that repair to the nut is still holding today.
 
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#17
Lots of great ideas...I've aluminum foil pellets for diagnostic purposes but that jerry-rig would probably hold out for more than a handful of gigs. When faced with two or more low slots and little time, I've knocked the nut out, glued a super-thin slice 0.43 mm) of hardwood veneer to the base, glued and clamped back into position, and then re-cut the slots to spec....beer can aluminum works well, too. In reality, it makes for a decent permanent repair. The trick is getting the nut out unscathed and, if not well-practiced, this is best left to a tech who'll probably recommend just replacing the entire nut.

Riis
 
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#19
for a quick temporary fix cutting little paper to build up the slot will get you through a gig. I see several other have mentioned this method. and it'll get you through temporarily until you find a permanent solution.

As for permanent, I just bought a new nut. Its not exactly the most expensive part of a bass. you can even make them, or have them made. good excuse to switch to a brass nut :)
 
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#20
Thanks guys. Foil is still there, and has done a great job for me. Recommended next time you're in trouble. A bit of a pain to fold it but you cab do a really tidy job. I just held the string up out of the nut for as much tension as I could stand, with the Aluminium Foil resting in the groove towards the fingerboard side. When you let the string go it should carry the foil into place as you wind in the right tension. Not enough height? More folds. Great to fine tune as it's such thin material. Killer fix.
 

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