The nut is too big for the slot

[ElectraPhoenix]

So I have the neck from a 94 or so Squier MIM Precision bass, and just ordered a P Bass nut for it. But, the nut is too fat for the slot in the neck. How should I go about making it fit? I told the store about this problem, and they apologized saying it's the only size P Bass nut they stock, so... yeah. Should I file it or sand it or... what? The nut is brass, if it makes a difference.

 

[joeyl]

if you want, you can tape sandpaper to a flat surface and rub the nut's face on it

 

[corinpills]

that's what she said?

 

[stflbn]

if you want, you can tape sandpaper to a flat surface and rub the nut's face on it

Yup, just slowly sand the side faces evenly until it fits snug.

 

[MatticusMania]

that's what she said?

beat me to it

 

[ElectraPhoenix]

as long as i don't change the height of the nut i'll be alright, right? just put in on something flat and sand away until it's the right size?

 

[Rumblefisher]

that's what she said?

Damn, beat me to it! Lol.

Oh, that's also what she said. haha

 

[tk421]

as long as i don't change the height of the nut i'll be alright, right? just put in on something flat and sand away until it's the right size?

ok. you need a piece of float glass - a table top, window pane, whatever. as long as it's perfectly flat.

you need auto grade emery paper.

you need a glass of water with 2 or 3 drops of Dawn in it.

1) wet the glass, stick the emery paper to it, business side up, please.
2) take the nut, and only sanding 1 side, do figure 8 shaped passes on the paper. if it starts to stick, or if the nut feels like it's skipping, add more water.

i would start with 400 grit - and be gentle. you can always take more off. you can't put brass back on. brass is really soft - you will chew thru it pretty quickly.
when you are starting to get close to where it will almost fit, switch to 800. again, go slowly. when it is just on the brink of fitting, switch to 1200 to get rid of the sanding marks.

if you want it perfect, finish it off with 2000 to get rid of the swirl marks.

if the paper starts to lose it's grit, you need to rinse with water. it's brass clogging the paper, not the paper loosing it's grit.

this is the same method i use to lap heatsinks & cpu's, and it has never failed me.

 

[mizzou541]

Yep, add me to the list of people who clicked on this thread simply to type "that's what she said."

"It squeaks when you bang it...that's what she said."

 

[JTE]

OK, is it too wide (side to side from the E to the G side) so it hangs over the sides of the fingerboard, or is it too thick (front-to-back) so it won't go into the slot? If it's too thick, then use tk421's method to thin it down. Check it periodically as you thin it down, and stop when it's just the right size.

If it's too wide ,that's a different problem and most likely you'll need to get a nut made for your bass. But then, I've never found a pre-cut nut that was right anyway, so I always make mine from blank stock.

John