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Question about nut installation

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by jwilson67, Feb 23, 2017.

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  1. Feb 23, 2017 #1
    jwilson67

    jwilson67

    Jun 2, 2015
    San Dimas, CA
    A few years ago I tried to remove the nut on an ESP Jazz bass with an ebony fingerboard. Long story short I broke the fingerboard off at the nut but only after the fingerboard (between the tuners and the nut) so the actual fretboard is fully intact. Like an idiot I lost the piece of wood with the old nut still glued to it.
    I want to install a new Tusq nut on the bass. My question is will glue alone be enough to hold it or do I need to reinforce it with something? If I do need to reinforce it any suggestions?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Feb 23, 2017 #2
    jwilson67

    jwilson67

    Jun 2, 2015
    San Dimas, CA
    FYI - I have already sanded the remaining ebony down to the maple of the neck and made a flush surface for the nut to rest against the ebony board.
     
  3. Feb 23, 2017 #3
    Manton Customs

    Manton Customs UK Luthier

    Jan 31, 2014
    Shropshire, UK
    Luthier, Manton Customs
    Nothing else needed, lots of guitars/basses have that setup (nothing on one side of the nut). You don't even need much glue, string tension will hold it in place to a large degree.
     
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  4. Feb 23, 2017 #4
    lz4005

    lz4005

    Oct 22, 2013
    The nut will have to be a slightly different shape, though. It's basically been converted from needing a Fender style nut to a Gibson style one.
     
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  5. Feb 23, 2017 #5
    jwilson67

    jwilson67

    Jun 2, 2015
    San Dimas, CA
    Thanks! Good to know. Now all I have to do is file the nut down to correct height.

    Already got it. Going to be interesting to see how it works out. I'll let you know the results. The wider Tusq nut seems like it's going to be an improvement anyway.
     
  6. Feb 24, 2017 #6
    Chasarms

    Chasarms Casual Observer

    May 24, 2001
    Saint Louis, MO USA
    You probably don't want to shape the nut square. You'll want the wider base, but it should thin toward the top. Fancy would be to arc it, but a straight taper (trapezoid from the side view) would be fine too.
     
  7. Feb 24, 2017 #7
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Here's what it should look like:

    Mill5NutRepair_zps825f78d6.jpg