Hopefully this is the right section to post this in. Was just changing some strings on my fender jazz. I was putting a little tension on the strings where they go into the nut, so there was a good angle on the key side and the nut on the G string cracked and broke off! Stinks, but I wanted to ask, is there a better nut than the stock fender one that came on it? I’m assuming it’s plastic, maybe? I know there are ones made out of bone and I know even Spector uses brass. Does it really matter? Is there a difference, since I need to take this in to have a new one installed?
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New nut
- Thread starter NYgiant
- Start date
I feel like the main effect the nut has is on the playability of the first couple of frets. Any tone difference is only on the open strings. Having said that, you’re always better off with a well cut nut made from a quality material. Material choice is between you and the person making the nut. Bone, brass, Tusq, I’ve even made a few out of aluminium. I’ve also made a few for myself out of Corian or similar man made material although I feel that’s probably a bit soft but since they’re for me I can always make another.
OK thanks for the reply. Been doing some reading for the past couple minutes since posting and it looks like Tusq might be the way to go. I found some online and they come in black too what will match up with my bass a little better.
Be aware that any pre-made nut will probably be at least a bit tall and will require some adjustment to get optimal feel and string height. Adjustment meaning cut the slots deeper and / or take down the bottom of the nut.
Yeah, that’s a good point. I’m wondering if I should just take it up to the local shop and just say I need a new nut instead of buying something and taking it up there. I was just trying to save some downtime in case he had to order something. What do you think?
I don’t know the guys where you’d go to. If someone needed a new nut fitted and installed and brought me the bass with a preslotted nut I wouldn’t care as long as it’s the right one.
If the string slots match the neck radius already and you have a flat bottom slot in the fretboard it’s not super hard to sand down the bottom of the nut until the string slots are the right height. It just takes some care and making sure you’re keeping the bottom perpendicular to the sides.
If the string slots match the neck radius already and you have a flat bottom slot in the fretboard it’s not super hard to sand down the bottom of the nut until the string slots are the right height. It just takes some care and making sure you’re keeping the bottom perpendicular to the sides.
I guess I did not type what I was thinking clearly. I was more so asking what you thought with regards to a new nut for a fender, jazz bass? I’ve never had to have this repair done. Wasn’t sure if that is a commonly stocked item across the board or because there are so many different types, when you take a guitar in for that type of repair, the shop has to order it.
If the string slots match the neck radius already and you have a flat bottom slot in the fretboard it’s not super hard to sand down the bottom of the nut until the string slots are the right height. It just takes some care and making sure you’re keeping the bottom perpendicular to the sides.
I don't know. I’d guess any place that does a decent amount of repair work probably stocks nut blanks and would make the nut from that. The easiest route would be to ask your repair shop.
Personally, I would bring it to a good guitar tech or a luthier and replace it with Tusq.
Not that costly, will be done properly and will probably last forever.
As a bonus, the Tusq material has a very low coefficient of friction and allows for a more accurate and easy tuning with your tuner pegs.
Not that costly, will be done properly and will probably last forever.
As a bonus, the Tusq material has a very low coefficient of friction and allows for a more accurate and easy tuning with your tuner pegs.
The last time I broke a nut, I just replaced it with a stock Fender pre-cut nut.that was over 40 years ago.
+1 on TUSQ. Not only does GraphTech offer TUSQ nuts in a variety of sizes, but they also sell uncut rectangles of material so your luthier/tech can cut it themselves. Black TUSQ XL Nuts - Bass | Graph Tech Guitar Labs
I've upgraded the plastic nuts on a couple of my basses to TUSQ ones and I can definitely feel the difference. Plastic nuts are cheap and literally hollow; they will have to be replaced eventually. TUSQ is a far more robust material. Again, I feel the difference in playability.
I've upgraded the plastic nuts on a couple of my basses to TUSQ ones and I can definitely feel the difference. Plastic nuts are cheap and literally hollow; they will have to be replaced eventually. TUSQ is a far more robust material. Again, I feel the difference in playability.
I got a bone nut made for an 83 Stingray 4h and a plastic one for thicker strings (0.125 B/C) on a 2010 (I think) Stingray 4h. I believe it was the same luthier as well, but at least 15yrs apart. I don't remember the bone nut being anything but great, however, the plastic nut for lower tunings plays so well. Noticeably well. Not sure if this helps.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I did two basses with Tusq nuts. Worked nicely but did have to shave some off the bottom. Not having a lot of tools I used a fine flat file, marked a line on the side of the nut where I needed to stop and then using equal pressure to the middle of the nut moved it back and forth on the file taking note as I went along if I was slightly higher on one end to put a little more pressure on that end and when I got it even again I reverted back to equal pressure in then middle. Keep in mind mine was flat on the bottom. Some are curved on the bottom of the nut and you will have to use another method for those.
