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Replace a nut on musicman bongo

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by Néal Zheimer, Apr 12, 2012.

Can one change a Musicman compensated nut on his own?

Poll closed May 12, 2012.

  1. Yes

    24 vote(s)
    29.3%

  2. No

    11 vote(s)
    13.4%

  3. I don't know

    47 vote(s)
    57.3%
  1. Apr 12, 2012 #1
    Néal Zheimer

    Néal Zheimer Guest

    Sep 12, 2008
    Southern Paris, France
    Hi

    While changing the strings on my Musicman Bongo 5 bass, I broke the low side of the (compensated) nut: the B string groove is now exposed on the side.

    [​IMG]

    I am wondering if I could replace the nut on my own. I haven't tried to remove the current nut from the neck yet since it still plays so I don't know if it's glued of something.

    Anyone already tried to (and preferably succeeded in) change a Musicman bass compensated nut?

    Cheers

    Guillaume
     
  2. Apr 12, 2012 #2
    Disco Batman

    Disco Batman

    Jul 29, 2010
    St. Louis, MO
    I haven't tried to, but I would call the folks at EBMM Customer service and see what they say.

    866-823-2255
     
  3. Apr 12, 2012 #3
    Aceonbass

    Aceonbass Commercial User

    Apr 10, 2004
    Parkville,Mo.
    Using a punch and a small hammer, tap it out from the side. Use any simple glue (not epoxy or super glue) to install the new nut.
     
  4. Apr 12, 2012 #4
    fcoda

    fcoda Guest

    Jan 23, 2002
    Nanuet,NY
    Do you think you can do it ? - if you have any doubts , I would suggest taking it to a good tech.
     
  5. Apr 12, 2012 #5
    Craig_S

    Craig_S Inactive

    Oct 15, 2008
    Metro Detroit
    Getting the nut out can be a little difficult. I'd take it to a tech, if I felt even a little concerned about it.
     
  6. Apr 12, 2012 #6
    DiabolusInMusic

    DiabolusInMusic Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism

    Dec 22, 2010
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
    If you would change a nut comfortably on any other bass than yes, if not, take it to a qualified pro.

    A bad nut job will ruin a great bass...
     
  7. Apr 12, 2012 #7
    elyman6

    elyman6 Guest

    Mar 30, 2012
    I love my stingray but not impressed with the compensated nut. I always get my plastic nuts replaced with bone, but my guitar tech, who is the best around, said it isn't feasible. I'd really like to know if replacements are available. I've done some research, but didn't find much.

    A NOTE TO THOSE WHO WANT TO CHANGE THE NUT ON THEIR OWN: If you are going to replace the nut with another compensated nut from musicman, I'd say go ahead if you know what you are doing. But replacing it with a traditional nut, which is what I want to do, would be a challenge.
     
  8. Apr 12, 2012 #8
    AndreBas

    AndreBas

    Mar 11, 2012
    14 years ago I had this Warwick metal nut installed by a pro tech. The Warwick nut was bigger than the original nut of the Sting Ray, so the tech cut away some wood...

    I did this because of my teacher's recommendation. I didn't think of how it could change the sound. At that time my ear wasn't developed enough to even notice the difference. Anyway, I like the sound I'm getting out of it and until today sound engineers have always liked my live and studio sound, so I just leave it like that, plus this nut gives me the opportunity to fine tune each string independently.
     

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  9. Apr 12, 2012 #9
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005

    Agreed...


    - georgestrings
     
  10. Apr 12, 2012 #10
    Néal Zheimer

    Néal Zheimer Guest

    Sep 12, 2008
    Southern Paris, France
    Gave them a call and the guy from customer service said yes. Now the tricky part is getting a new one here in France.

    Yeah, this does not scare me off. I was just wondering if there were a tricky part going underneath to fix the nut to the neck.

    I made my homework too and from what I get, the only replacement nuts you can use "as is" of these instruments are those from Ernie Ball. Otherwise you (meaning a luthier) should make a new one from scratch and/or make some modifications to the bass itself.

    I'll try to update this thread with my progress for future reference.

    And by the way EBMM customer service is awesome and very informative.
     
  11. Apr 13, 2012 #11
    hoshbrown41

    hoshbrown41

    Jun 19, 2009
    +1

    First of all, nobody would no better than those people. Second of all, I hear getting MM replacement parts without going through them is a serious challenge.

    I'll bet that they'd fix it up for you no problem.
     
  12. May 2, 2012 #12
    Néal Zheimer

    Néal Zheimer Guest

    Sep 12, 2008
    Southern Paris, France
    Update : Received the replacement nut half a week ago. Looks straight forward to replace it. Will try soon.