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Nutty dilemma

#21
If I were gigging, I'd no more roll the dice on that nut Going South in the middle of the gig than I would show up with an amp that works most of the time or a guitar cable that works as long as I don't bend it a certain way. You don't want to half-ass your reputation.

Replace it.

I learned the hard way many times that if I ask for trouble, I'll be put at the head of the line. It's a common occurrence / repair for strings to saw off the outside slots if there's not much meat left outboard, and you've already got the Tusq nuts in the on deck circle.

If you're not comfortable, take it to a good tech.
 
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#22
andruca said:
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.
Click to expand...
that's nutty high! I'm interested in trying a tb-posted and tested unique technique which uses hardly a nut at all, cut real low and barely grooved, only with a straight pull of course. my 2 faves could be candidates...
 
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#25
gebass6 said:
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 ratty condition.
Click to expand...
...Not "ratty" at all.. this bass is like new ..how clean is this lol...
upload_2022-1-1_9-1-19.jpeg
 
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#26
Glennbassmann said:
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
Click to expand...

The usual cause for this is the slot was a bit too small for the gauge of string; when the string was cranked down, the pressure against the walls of the slot popped the end of the nut off. Probably the strings were changed to a heavier gauge at some point in the bass's life or the nut was originally not cut right during initial setup or both.

So it sort of fixed itself for you, so problem solved... :)

Personally, I'd eventually replace it with a new nut, but only if I had the right tools, etc. Meanwhile, if it's not popping off there during playing I guess I wouldn't make it an immediate priority....

L
 
#27
Bass V said:
that's nutty high! I'm interested in trying a tb-posted and tested unique technique which uses hardly a nut at all, cut real low and barely grooved, only with a straight pull of course. my 2 faves could be candidates...
Click to expand...
...It looks high in the pic but in reality it perfect for me .018 feeler gauge top of 1st fret to bottom of E ..the relief is .012 where it should be..its a medium scale bass 83' Ibanez Roadstar RB600 plays and sounds amazing...
upload_2022-1-1_9-12-4.jpeg
 
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#28
Bass V said:
that's nutty high! I'm interested in trying a tb-posted and tested unique technique which uses hardly a nut at all, cut real low and barely grooved, only with a straight pull of course. my 2 faves could be candidates...
Click to expand...

Isn't that already invented, think it's called the "zero fret"? Just joking. Do you have a link to such artifact? Thanx!
 
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#30
andruca said:
Isn't that already invented, think it's called the "zero fret"? Just joking. Do you have a link to such artifact? Thanx!
Click to expand...
hoping someone / op sees this and links cos mine is archived but buried. easy concept if made to taste.
btw, love a zero fret, learned guitar with one.
Glennbassmann said:
...It looks high in the pic but in reality it perfect for me .018 feeler gauge top of 1st fret to bottom of E ..the relief is .012 where it should be..its a medium scale bass 83' Ibanez Roadstar RB600 plays and sounds amazing... View attachment 4524797
Click to expand...
I have the exact model in nat. Sen staring at me, the only thing keeping it in it's cradle is the too high nut lol
came to me with an original Badass and after a full mod tuneup it'll be back in the mix.
 

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