Nut Size Matters?

[topher97]

Hey all,

My nut broke during rehearsal last night, and I'm trying to find a replacement in time for a show next week. I was playing my Rickenbacker 4003s/5 when suddenly the nut chipped off at the low B, making that string unplayable.

Rickenbacker doesn't sell replacement nuts for it (at least as far as I can find on their website), but it lists the neck width at the nut to be 46.8 mm (1 27/37''). My problem is I can't find a 5 string nut that's the exact same length online. The closest I found is this TUSQ Nut Slotted Bass 5 String, which is 46.3mm long. Would the .5mm difference matter at all? It seems small but I'd rather not have an issue like that again.

Thanks to anyone who has advice! Worst case I'll call Rickenbacker customer support later today when California wakes up.

 

[deff]

Hey all,

My nut broke during rehearsal last night, and I'm trying to find a replacement in time for a show next week. I was playing my Rickenbacker 4003s/5 when suddenly the nut chipped off at the low B, making that string unplayable.

Rickenbacker doesn't sell replacement nuts for it (at least as far as I can find on their website), but it lists the neck width at the nut to be 46.8 mm (1 27/37''). My problem is I can't find a 5 string nut that's the exact same length online. The closest I found is this TUSQ Nut Slotted Bass 5 String, which is 46.3mm long. Would the .5mm difference matter at all? It seems small but I'd rather not have an issue like that again.

Thanks to anyone who has advice! Worst case I'll call Rickenbacker customer support later today when California wakes up.

It'll be a little short and likely the string spacing will now be a fraction tighter. But .5mm or really .25mm on either side is a pretty small difference. Of course, you could just take it to a luthier have them fashion a nut from a blank, or you could do it.

 

[Lo-E]

Even a Tusq replacement nut will require fitting and adjustment of the string slots. Given that and the fact that the replacement doesn’t come in the exact size you need, you’re better off just buying a nut blank and making a new nut from scratch.

If you’ve never made a nut from scratch before, you may not want to attempt this just before an important gig. If you decide to go for it anyway, buy several blanks so you have extras if you make a mistake.

 

[PrairieThunder13]

Just cut one from scratch. There's no such thing as a "drop in" replacement nut anyway, so the only real extra work (aside from the strokes needed to rough the height from a blank) from a pre-cut one is getting the string spacing where you like it. And yes, half a mm is a big difference. If you're dead set on a pre-cut/aren't fond of rulers (don't laugh - lots of guys feel the same), it's better to get slightly oversized if you can find it, then trim down the width during fitting so it's not sloppy. A ric is worth doing a nice job on, though, so my vote is make your own out of a nice material.

 

[JRA]

if you're handy = make a new one out of a blank.
if you're not handy = have someone who knows what they're doing make a new one for you --- out of a blank.

good luck with your nut!

 

[topher97]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll get a few blanks and take a crack at it myself over the weekend, I always find it more rewarding to do a job yourself anyways. Plus I do have another bass I can use if it doesn't go as planned. Cheers!

 

[Turnaround]

Good luck. Cutting nut slots is an exacting job.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

It’s definitely a job you want to be precise on. You have the old nut as a template if you’re happy with the string spacing. Don’t forget to score the finish around the old nut before you try to pop it out.

 

[Geri O]

It’s definitely a job you want to be precise on. You have the old nut as a template if you’re happy with the string spacing. Don’t forget to score the finish around the old nut before you try to pop it out.

Heck, I think this is great advice and I don’t even own a Ric!….

 

[Bloomfield]

Just a note if you are buying blanks; Ricks usually have very thick fingerboards and many regular nut blanks will be too short in height, so be careful and measure before you buy.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I believe @Gilmourisgod bought some correct size nut blanks for his Hossenfeffer basses. I don’t remember where but he’s usually happy to share.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Axemasters makes pre-slotted brass ones, the bakelite ones are on Ebay or Ric Boutique. Make sure you order the specific Ric bass version, they are much taller than standard bass nuts.