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Nut replacement - first timer help needed

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by 777, Jul 26, 2009.

  1. Jul 26, 2009 #1
    777

    777

    Oct 23, 2007
    My 12 y.o. son accidentally broke the nut on his Squier J. It is split right at the G string and broke off from there.

    I imagine that we have to replace the nut. We have read this tutorial http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282825 . A couple of questions;

    - Can novices really pull this off successfully?

    - How do we know the correct nut size to get? Where can we find it?

    - We had also considered stringing it BEAD. Do we understand that you use the strings as a file to re-size the nut grooves for BEAD?
    :help:
    :bassist:

    Thanks a lot, guys!
     
  2. Jul 26, 2009 #2
    mikeyswood

    mikeyswood Inactive

    Jul 22, 2007
    Cincinnati OH
    Luthier of Michael Wayne Instruments
    It's a squire right? You should be able to get that nut pre-slotted at any music store.
     
  3. Jul 26, 2009 #3
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    Novices can pull it off, just go really slowly, measure lots of times and carefully check your work.

    Measure the thickness, height and width of your nut and see if you can match it to a replacement nut at the local shop. If you can't match it, then you can very likely order one online. You can also make one out of almost anything that is hard and workable. From wood, to corian, to plastic to metal.

    You can buy files that make perfect nut slots, or you can carve your own with an automotive feeler gauge to check the width as you work. Make the slot the same width as the strings you've chosen, and then adjust them to fit by testing the string.

    I wouldn't recommend using the string to file the nut for you, although this would work in theory, it would be painfully slow and might cause undue wear to the string.