Which nut do I need?

[Andrew McWhirk]

I have a Schecter Stiletto Stage 5 and recently had TI Jazz Flats put on. Love them. Bass speaks and sustains amazingly.

Only problem is now my open A has these weird harmonics if I let it sustain. I don’t get them on quick notes. I narrowed the issue down to the nut slot of that string. Slipped a piece of paper folded once under the string and the issue is gone.

So I’d like to replace the nut with the same graph tech black tusk nut, but I’ve never had to deal with sizing or purchasing a new nut. The five string varieties come in several different models and I don’t know which would fit my bass. I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you!

 

[thabassmon]

They come in different sizes as different basses require different sizes. Their website clearly shows each of their product's dimensions, so measure your nut and pick the most appropriate. If you can't just pick the perfect size you'd want it slightly larger as you can make it smaller but you can't make it grow. Remember to measure all three dimensions width, length and height.

 

[GMC]

A wee bit of graphite in the slot can help lubricate it a lot. The nut isn't supposed to grip the string too hard, so as long as it loosely sits in the slot and doesn't wobble from side to side, it's generally ok. If it holds the string too tightly the nut is adding additional tension to the string as it is tuned up and can cause the string to stangle or break. So It's possible that your existing nut slots need to be slightly wider.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Not 100% convinced it's the nut despite the litmus test. Is there clearance between the A string and 1st fret when fretted at the 3rd?

Edit: most of this stuff can be traced back to a bad set-up and/or string install.

Riis

 

[dwizum]

Also worth checking that the nut is sitting down nice and tight in it's own slot and making good contact across it's whole width. If the nut is loose or uneven, an open string can cause it to vibrate as you're describing. Putting a piece of paper in the slot gives the string enough leverage to push the nut down enough to stop the vibration. This seems common when a nut is replaced but the slot isn't cleaned of old glue residue. If there's a blob of glue under the middle of the nut but not the edges, the edges can vibrate.

 

[Andrew McWhirk]

I have tried restring the A, as well as checking the nut and slot for anything unusual. Visually there is nothing exciting going on.

Not 100% convinced it's the nut despite the litmus test. Is there clearance between the A string and 1st fret when fretted at the 3rd?

Edit: most of this stuff can be traced back to a bad set-up and/or string install.

Riis

The weird harmonic (for lack of a scientific term) is only present on the open A. No other note on any string or fret creates the same sound. I have tried adjusting the truss rod to add and remove relief as well as the action height. I do not believe it is hitting the 1st fret as the noise is present on hard or soft attacks.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I have tried restring the A, as well as checking the nut and slot for anything unusual. Visually there is nothing exciting going on.



The weird harmonic (for lack of a scientific term) is only present on the open A. No other note on any string or fret creates the same sound. I have tried adjusting the truss rod to add and remove relief as well as the action height. I do not believe it is hitting the 1st fret as the noise is present on hard or soft attacks.

Okay, here's what I'd do (...or verify) to rule-out the simple stuff. Chime in if not familiar:

*Adequate break angle over the nut. 3+ wraps on the tuner post to force the string towards the "deck".

*Set your witness points at the tuner post, nut, and bridge.

Get back to us.

Riis

 

[Andrew McWhirk]

Okay, here's what I'd do (...or verify) to rule-out the simple stuff. Chime in if not familiar:

*Adequate break angle over the nut. 3+ wraps on the tuner post to force the string towards the "deck".

*Set your witness points at the tuner post, nut, and bridge.

Get back to us.

Riis

Checked all of the above - no change in presence of harmonic sound. Not 100% sure how to set the WP at the tuner though. Thought those were just at bridge and nut?

 

[Turnaround]

So It's possible that your existing nut slots need to be slightly wider.

Not likely since TI flats are smaller gauge than most regular medium strings.

 

[Turnaround]

Checked all of the above - no change in presence of harmonic sound. Not 100% sure how to set the WP at the tuner though. Thought those were just at bridge and nut?

Looks like you strung through the body. Not recommended on most flatwound strings and certainly not on TI's. The extreme bend of the string over the saddle causes separation of the outer windings and that can give rise to premature breakage and strange vibrations.

 

[Andrew McWhirk]

Looks like you strung through the body. Not recommended on most flatwound strings and certainly not on TI's. The extreme bend of the string over the saddle causes separation of the outer windings and that can give rise to premature breakage and strange vibrations.

I appreciate that, but the noise is only present on the open A and goes away with a small piece of paper tucked under it at the nut. Does that sound like it is caused by the winding coming undone? I would assume there would be issues at other frets but there are none.

 

[Turnaround]

I appreciate that, but the noise is only present on the open A and goes away with a small piece of paper tucked under it at the nut. Does that sound like it is caused by the winding coming undone? I would assume there would be issues at other frets but there are none.

It does not sound like the problem is at the bridge. But stringing flatwounds through the body is not a good choice. There are a few that are designed to go though the body, but for those that aren't the manufacturers mostly recommend against it.

What is the A string clearance over the first fret?

 

[GMC]

I appreciate that, but the noise is only present on the open A and goes away with a small piece of paper tucked under it at the nut. Does that sound like it is caused by the winding coming undone? I would assume there would be issues at other frets but there are none.

You can drop a wee bit of superglue in the nut slot to fill it. Obviously taking the string out first

 

[Andrew McWhirk]

It does not sound like the problem is at the bridge. But stringing flatwounds through the body is not a good choice. There are a few that are designed to go though the body, but for those that aren't the manufacturers mostly recommend against it.

What is the A string clearance over the first fret?

I’m on my way to work now, but will measure when I can. I have tried adjusting the action height and truss rod to see if it would get rid of it but it doesn’t make a difference.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Checked all of the above - no change in presence of harmonic sound. Not 100% sure how to set the WP at the tuner though. Thought those were just at bridge and nut?

Same way you set it at the nut & bridge. Force the string bend around the post as you're installing..

I'm also not a fan of stringing thru-body for a couple of reasons: separation of core / wraps and easier to induce a twist while tuning up. De-tune / loosen the A string and remove the coil from the tuner post...does it spin in either direction? You may also want to consider dropping the pickup(s) height a tad and see if that improves things.

Riis

 

[Andrew McWhirk]

Same way you set it at the nut & bridge. Force the string bend around the post as you're installing..

I'm also not a fan of stringing thru-body for a couple of reasons: separation of core / wraps and easier to induce a twist while tuning up. De-tune / loosen the A string and remove the coil from the tuner post...does it spin in either direction? You may also want to consider dropping the pickup(s) height a tad and see if that improves things.

Riis

I had completely restrung the A after inspecting the nut and ensured a tight fit around the tuning post. Didn't realize that was also referred to as a witness point. The string is not twisted. The same sound resonated before the restring and after.

I did try to lower each pickup as far as it would reasonably go but it did not alter the harmonic sound at all.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I had completely restrung the A after inspecting the nut and ensured a tight fit around the tuning post. Didn't realize that was also referred to as a witness point. The string is not twisted. The same sound resonated before the restring and after.

I did try to lower each pickup as far as it would reasonably go but it did not alter the harmonic sound at all.

Okay, we still don't what the problem is but we know what fixed it (...pellet in the nut slot). At the moment, I'd be hard-pressed to s/o a nut until we can settle on a culprit.

Riis