Nutty dilemma

[Glennbassmann]

I'v had this bass for a couple of years played many gigs..the nut was like this when I first got it..the string sits in its part of the slot (the little ledge that's left) and is held tight by the string to tuner angle ...this bass plays so perfect I hate to change a thing about it..I know a nuts material doesn't have a huge impact on things..I think most of you would replace the nut..am I right?..I do have 2 nice nuts (black tusq)...

 

[nmiller]

The short answer is: replace the nut.
The long answer is: replace... the... nut.

 

[darthplagis]

I mean the job is half done for you... Just whip it off and pop in the new one and forget about it

 

[FunkHead]

I'v had this bass for a couple of years played many gigs..the nut was like this when I first got it..the string sits in its part of the slot (the little ledge that's left) and is held tight by the string to tuner angle ...this bass plays so perfect I hate to change a thing about it..I know a nuts material doesn't have a huge impact on things..I think most of you would replace the nut..am I right?..I do have 2 nice nuts (black tusq)...View attachment 4523325View attachment 4523326

Carefully cut off the piece of another white nut and glue it to the existing nut. There's really not that much sideways pressure so it's almost a "cosmetic only" repair. It may also give you the ability to use a strong downstroke with a pick on the G string(Which you obviously don't do now.)

 

[jd56hawk]

I had the exact same problem with one of my Dean Exoticas, exact same string slot.
Played fine before replacing but I did replace it.
Why?
The bass deserved it!

 

[Glennbassmann]

Carefully cut off the piece of another white nut and glue it to the existing nut. There's really not that much sideways pressure so it's almost a "cosmetic only" repair. It may also give you the ability to use a strong downstroke with a pick on the G string(Which you obviously don't do now.)

I used a pick once as a teenager I dropped it immediately.. that was that 50+ years ago..its all upstrokes and fingers for me lol...

 

[sleddogn]

I vote for replacement, why not really, and i have 2 nice nuts also. sorry could resist.....

 

[jd56hawk]

I used a pick once as a teenager I dropped it immediately.. that was that 50+ years ago..its all upstrokes and fingers for me lol...

I've only been playing for nine years, always use a pick, but I haven't dropped mine once!
(Sure, there's no award for doing it, but...)

 

[Matt Liebenau]

There’s no reason not to replace it but be aware that even the preslotted Tusq nut will probably require some adjustment after installation to be set up ideally.

 

[Sid Fang]

I've had this bass for a couple of years played many gigs.. ...this bass plays so perfect I hate to change a thing about it.

Then don't.

 

[Ostie]

I vote for replacement, why not really, and i have 2 nice nuts also. sorry could resist.....

Yes, but do you have petrified walrus nuts?

 

[StayLow]

Carefully cut off the piece of another white nut and glue it to the existing nut. There's really not that much sideways pressure so it's almost a "cosmetic only" repair. It may also give you the ability to use a strong downstroke with a pick on the G string(Which you obviously don't do now.)

I’d leave it, but having read this clever solution quoted above… I’d do that.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I would replace it.
Do you realize that if this was the 70s, you would be expected to use this as an excuse to put a brass nut on there, right?

 

[JIO]

View attachment 4523325

Is that a crack in the neck where the nut broke-off?

 

[logdrum]

It is a conversation piece if you keep it that way. But for the sake of TB members change it or promise you'll change it.

 

[Katoosie]

It is a conversation piece if you keep it that way. But for the sake of TB members change it or promise you'll change it.

I agree. Change it right away.

 

[Watchootognbout]

If I was you,replacing that nut would have been the first thing on my mind when I got it home.
I guess some have a fondness for playing basses in a ratty condition.

 

[mongo2]

I've been faced with this kind of repair a few times. Each time I used a bone nut as the replacement.

 

[user362432]

If that works for you, keep it.
Why to fix something what is not broken... I mean, I used to play on 3 strings under specific conditions...

 

[andruca]

As others have said, change the nut. Your current nut is still high a/f IMHO. File the new one so that it isn't as high (no sense for it being over just a hair higher than a fret). It'll play AND intonate way better at the lower positions. No real risk of screwing up playability but instead a good change to notoriously improve it, your nut looks real HIGH by that first photo.