High strings... Neck issue?

[Ewo]

I actually find it is easier to play away from the nut than the notes closer to the nut. As I get closer to the nut, I work too hard to be pleasurable.

Yup. The shim under the nut is as wack as the shim under the bridge. (See post, above.)

It'll be easier to play in the middle of the neck than at the nut because you're pressing the string in its arc, rather than at the witness point (the nut). That doesn't mean you should try. (See above: the bass is unplayable, and you'll stress your fingers and forearms trying.)

 

[Ewo]

Ok the more I look into this, I wonder if previously the guitar was modded for slapping.

Nah. We slap-happy folk want the action pretty low, actually.

 

[megafiddle]

If the original nut was fine to begin with and was only raised, it should be a simple matter
of removing the shim material. With the strings removed, try to carefully remove the nut
from the slot. Hopefully, it was only being held in place by string tension. If it was glued,
and glued properly, it should break loose with little force. But try to avoid breaking the
nut. It may very well be perfectly usable after removing the shim. Don't try to remove it
if you're not sure you can remove it without damage.

Actually, it looks like the nut may be above and free of the slot. Still, avoid bending or
twisting it. Remove all the shim material and clean out the nut slot in the neck and the
bottom of the nut of any glue if present. Then set the nut back in the slot, string it up
again, using the string tension to hold the nut in place. Check the action at the open strings,
and 1st few frets.
If good, just glue the nut back in using just a couple tiny dots of wood glue at a couple places
in the nut slot.

Also, the ball ends of the strings are spaced off the bridge plate tail with nuts. If you keep
those strings, leave the nuts on there. If you remove them, you will have a kink in the
active length of the strings (the part that vibrates). Leave those nuts off when you
replace the strings.

What you need to do is not that difficult. Unless you need a new nut or the neck is bad,
you can get all the information you need right here in the forum.

 

[mountainwillow]

It looks like it's just raised. You could file it down yourself but it's easy to mess up. The nut is what should go to a pro for sure. It's super high.

Thanks, I am leaning towards taking it into a pro because of the nut issue.

My .02:

There's lots of good material here on TB about setups. I'd advise your first move be to get a good understanding of how the nut, truss rod, and bridge all influence the feel of instrument.

From the side pic of the strings and neck that action is crazy high. Trying to play that instrument will likely strain your hand and forearm muscles. Don't play it in that condition. I have no clue why the previous owner would have modded the bridge and nut in that way.


If you don't feel knowledgeable enough to tackle the job, take it to a good tech--as suggested above. If you feel confident, take the strings off and remove the shims under the bridge. Just guessing but I wouldn't be surprised if the nut was just held in place by string tension. See if it will come off after you remove the strings. Take whatever that shim material is out.

Restring, and see what's what. No doubt you'll need to do a setup after removing the shims.

Again: better to take the bass to a good tech than mess it up on your own.

Thank you so much for your responses and tips. I think I may end up taking her in. But, I will for sure slow down and try to get a good education and understanding- who knows maybe I might be able to do it on my own. Which would be pretty cool.

If the original nut was fine to begin with and was only raised, it should be a simple matter
of removing the shim material. With the strings removed, try to carefully remove the nut
from the slot. Hopefully, it was only being held in place by string tension. If it was glued,
and glued properly, it should break loose with little force. But try to avoid breaking the
nut. It may very well be perfectly usable after removing the shim. Don't try to remove it
if you're not sure you can remove it without damage.

Actually, it looks like the nut may be above and free of the slot. Still, avoid bending or
twisting it. Remove all the shim material and clean out the nut slot in the neck and the
bottom of the nut of any glue if present. Then set the nut back in the slot, string it up
again, using the string tension to hold the nut in place. Check the action at the open strings.
If good, just glue the nut back in using just a couple tiny dots of wood glue at a couple places
in the nut slot.

Also, the ball ends of the strings are spaced off the bridge plate tail with nuts. If you keep
those strings, leave the nuts on there. If you remove them, you will have a kink in the
active length of the strings (the part that vibrates). Leave those nuts off when you
replace the strings.

What you need to do is not that difficult. Unless you need a new nut or the neck is bad,
you can get all the information you need right here in the forum.

Thank you, I might try to fix it, and then again I might take it in. Depends on how comfortable I get with the idea of DIY after learning more.

Nah. We slap-happy folk want the action pretty low, actually.

No kidding, thats good to know. Wonder why someone would want it modded so high.

Yup. The shim under the nut is as wack as the shim under the bridge. (See post, above.)

It'll be easier to play in the middle of the neck than at the nut because you're pressing the string in its arc, rather than at the witness point (the nut). That doesn't mean you should try. (See above: the bass is unplayable, and you'll stress your fingers and forearms trying.)

Thanks again for your helpful responses.

 

[JoeWPgh]

The first thing I would do is lose those bolts under the bridge. While you have the strings off, see if you can gently pry the nut off. I use a very fine, straight slot screw driver that's narrower than the nut. But with the size of the shim, any number of things might work. Just be patient and gentle to avoid damaging the nut or neck. If you can get it off, remove the shim that is under it. As long as you don't go crazy trying to do these things, you'll have nothing to lose by trying to do it yourself. BUT! If it seems too difficult as you try, stop and take it to someone.

 

[Stone Soup]

Thanks to stonesoup I have an idea on how to fix the bridge, but what exactly is up with the nut? Is that fixable or best left to an expert.

First, sorry for assuming you were male.

The nut should be tended to by someone qualified. Take care of the bridge. You might be okay with the way it plays after that.

 

[walterw]

nah, it's very much worth whatever it takes to get the nut height right again, too.

all the important notes are down there

 

[96tbird]

Although this seems like an easy fix to many and although it would be a good learning experience for you to try, it's best you get help here. To us it's straightforward but you may have small issues to attend such as damaged wood where the bridge screws are or you may not know how to reinsert a screw safely into wood so as to not "double cut" the wood with the threads, thus causing damage.

You can certainly learn the above by reading this forum as well as other small repair techniques, but please, read a lot so you have a complete understanding of what you are about to try on your bass before going ahead.

Get a hand with this and thanks for the entertaining pictures.