Filing the nut

[supersnake52]

So i have ordered some heavy gauge bass boomers: Invalid Link Removed

For this the music shop is going to file my nut to accomadate the thicker stings.

I'm doing this because i play in dropped C (C,G,C,F) and would like the tension and a better sounding C string.

Could somebody tell me a list of disadvantages and advantages of doing this, and if anybody has any experiance with these strings, could you tell me what you think of them please?

But my main question is can i go back down to some slightly lower gauge strings if i do decide that i don't like it?

For example, would i be able to put ernie ball Power Slinkies in?

thanks guys

xxx

 

[Alaska Bass]

You can go back to slightly smaller gauge strings but it is not recommended. There will be play, sustain and tone issues that can arise from smaller strings being on a nut filed for larger strings. Does it happen every day, yes. Should it, no.

 

[perucci]

A lot of people seem to fill their nut with super-glue mixed with something (baby-powder as I recall), and then re-file it. I can't personally attest to this method, but I'd be interested in comments, since I too have a nut-groove or two that is too wide.

 

[robfitz1968]

A lot of people seem to fill their nut with super-glue mixed with something (baby-powder as I recall), and then re-file it. I can't personally attest to this method, but I'd be interested in comments, since I too have a nut-groove or two that is too wide.

That would be super glue, and baking soda. Works great I used it on an old fender I own

 

[Foxworthy925]

This is probably a stupid question, but you'd take the nut off the bass first, right? What would you use to glue it back on?

 

[perucci]

This is probably a stupid question, but you'd take the nut off the bass first, right? What would you use to glue it back on?

I've not personally done it, but one person posted that they left the nut on, and used tape on both sides of the nut (the nut, not the fretboard) to hold-in the glue/baking-soda while it dried.

Obviously without the tape (or some other measure), you could get glue "all over the place".

 

[Drucocu]

no, leave the nut in its place, and build a "dam" on both side, where you can fill-in your glue-soda-mixture.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

wht do you add baking soda? What does it do that it won't do without?

 

[Drucocu]

it will be white and not clear, like the real deal