Nuts

[bl2112]

I know there are different types and they effect the sound of the bass. But how are each different and other things to know. I was thinking about getting a graphite nut for my 5 string, because I've been told stories of during shows a plastic nut shatters and damages the neck of the bass.

 

[GeneralElectric]

A nut breaking won't damage the neck of a bass though it will affect playability in most cases.

I like bone nuts, just for the look and the hardness.

The one graphite nut equipped bass I have currently has a broken nut.

 

[slyjoe]

They may affect sound on an open string (5 in your case). This may get more responses in repair/setup or luthier forums.

Never heard of a nut breaking and damaging the bass - unless you mean a string slides out of a broken nut and may scratch the neck, and the string wont stay aligned.

Nuts don't usually fail explosively.

 

[GeneralElectric]

I'm picturing an exploding nut hitting someone in the in the as they concentrate looking at the fretboard.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I use Graphtech black plastic ones exclusively.

Somehow threads like this always remind me of this:

Quote:

"One time at a show I was ripping the strings off of a 5 string non-reverse t-bird in an effort to make a crecendo of noise at the end of my band's set when I snapped my g string and it shot part of my nut at my guitarist. Then it hit him in the face."

From this classic thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3638835#post3638835

Regards
Sam

 

[bassteban]

I now play wearing safety glasses.

 

[Obese Chess]

I put a graphite nut on my 83 P-Bass when the OEM Bone Nut broke.
I can't tell a difference.

 

[mike1762]

The best nut design I've seen is from Alembic... it's adjustable. To the best of my knowledge, one has never exploded.