Filing nut on 4-string to accomodate B-E-A-D - What kind of file?

[e_mann]

I just bought a Peavey G-Bass, 35 inch scale. I'd like to swap out the strings to the bottom four of a five-string set, and I'm likely going to have to file the nut down on at least the B string in order to do so.

Bass nut files look to be pretty expensive, so I'm wondering if I could pull this off with just a normal file that I could pick up from a hardware store?

I've looked through a lot of other posts and it seems like the general consensus is that it isn't too hard to file the nut down as long as you understand that you can't easily go back to standard tuning. I'm designating this bass as my downtuned bass, so no worries on trying to go back. I just need to know what tools to use and how to do it without spending 150 dollars (if possible) on a nut file set.

 

[Chrisk-K]

You don't have to spend $150 on bass files. I bought a MIJ bass file set for $45 on eBay.

Anyway, as long as you use a U-shaped file, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

The age-old machinists/woodworkers trick for precision slots: A piece of emery paper wrapped on a drill bit.

Works every time, and won't break the bank.

Regards
Sam

 

[Craig_S]

You can do it with a small rat tail file, if you're careful.

They come in sets like these:
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T-Bird's solution is good, too.

 

[Ric5]

I use a dremmel tool.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Hi.

The age-old machinists/woodworkers trick for precision slots: A piece of emery paper wrapped on a drill bit.

Works every time, and won't break the bank.

Regards
Sam

If you can lay your hands on some, emery cloth works better as it is less likely to crease once wrapped around the bit.

Riis

 

[MNAirHead]

Just contact an industrial supply house and buy a super fine rattail file

 

[Rocky McD]

Harbor Freight has a cheap set of Micro files. Only advise is, don't over do it, it's easy to file too deep or too wide.

 

[Bobster]

You can also work a piece of roundwound string of the correct diameter back and forth through the existing grove to widen it.

Best of luck,

Bob

 

[e_mann]

Harbor Freight has a cheap set of Micro files. Only advise is, don't over do it, it's easy to file too deep or too wide.

This set looks promising, and not too expensive either:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[ocoaibass]

I do this to ALL of my basses, as well as installing a brand new bone nut, so I invested in a nice set for myself. I got them at Sears about a decade ago, so I'm no help in that department. I'm posting to +1 on the statement that you go slow & easy. If you already know the gauge strings you'll use, getting just those sizes would be an excellent way to avoid screwing up a nut. I've never liked the guessing game of using a drill or simple file to get close. A .125-.135 gauge string sits dangerously close to the fretboard when the nut is filed correctly. Just saying

 

[poohbaru]

Harbor Freight has a set of cheap diamond needle files, and the tip of the round/oval file works well enough for bass nut slots. You can use calipers to find the string diameter along the file's taper, and tape off the rest of the taper so you don't over-file. Remember to keep the file tilted to the break angle of the string over the nut.

 

[hotbass57]

I just did this to mine. Picked up the files at HD for $10. go to YouTube and check out videos on this. Go slow and follow their instructions.

 

[bunkaroo]

Follow up on this - I need to do the same thing for my 4-string tuned to BEAD. However it's a Spector and it has a brass nut. Are the files and/or the emery solution mentioned hear strong enough to deal with brass or should I like into something else?

 

[mongo2]

Before I bought dedicated nut slot files many years ago I used the emery cloth around a drill bit method.

 

[JLS]

Follow up on this - I need to do the same thing for my 4-string tuned to BEAD. However it's a Spector and it has a brass nut. Are the files and/or the emery solution mentioned hear strong enough to deal with brass or should I like into something else?

They'll be fine. For that matter, the slower you lower a nut slot, the better--you really don't want to go too far, with a brass nut.

 

[hotbass57]

Follow up on this - I need to do the same thing for my 4-string tuned to BEAD. However it's a Spector and it has a brass nut. Are the files and/or the emery solution mentioned hear strong enough to deal with brass or should I like into something else?

I think those files from HD will work you're not cutting new slots. Just widening them.

 

[bunkaroo]

I probably have a good 1mm to go on each slot - the nut is very high right now. I'll take a look at HD tomorrow and see what they have. I like the idea of gauged files but just too damn expensive.

I would normally take this to my setup guy of 16 years but he's squeamish about using his files on brass.

 

[bunkaroo]

They'll be fine. For that matter, the slower you lower a nut slot, the better--you really don't want to go too far, with a brass nut.

Hey,

Can you elaborate on this? Specifically why it's worse with a brass nut. Just the cost of replacement?

 

[JLS]

Hey,

Can you elaborate on this? Specifically why it's worse with a brass nut. Just the cost of replacement?

The CA glue & dust fill doesn't work w/brass, so if you go too far, you have to add a shim under the nut, or start over.

I went through that fad in the 80s; a few of my guitars still sport brass nuts.

BTW-- when doing a bone dust or baking soda & CA glue fill in big slots, it helps to drill tiny holes into the nut, to give the fill more mechanical grip.