Which nut for a 1977 Fender Precision ?

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by p-bass 77, Jun 14, 2020.

  1. p-bass 77

    p-bass 77

    Jun 14, 2020
    Croatia
    Hello, need to restore my 1977 Fender Precision , s/n S880010, 7.25" radius, nut width 41,5 mm. The E string height at the 1st fret is definitively too low ( it have to be 0.559 mm ) and I have to replace the nut. I've found on the market various different nuts but the only one which seems to match is the one from NW guitars. The others are 9.5" radius. Does someone knows if my original nut at the bottom is flat or rounded ? Any help will be highly appreciated...
    The closest one i've found is this one... Bone Nut for Fender Precision Bass Guitars Pre-cut & Slotted - 41.5mm
     
    TN WOODMAN likes this.
  2. robobass

    robobass

    Aug 1, 2005
    Cologne, Germany
    Private Inventor - Bass Capos
    Wrong forum. We are the doghouse guys:D
     
    TN WOODMAN and p-bass 77 like this.
  3. Don Kasper

    Don Kasper Gold Supporting Member

    Our Nuts are Enormous (tm)...compared to a P Bass.
     
    Vinny_G, TN WOODMAN and SlingBlader like this.
  4. robobass

    robobass

    Aug 1, 2005
    Cologne, Germany
    Private Inventor - Bass Capos
    :laugh:
     
  5. FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    Is the E string buzzing when played open? Or some other problem?
     
  6. p-bass 77

    p-bass 77

    Jun 14, 2020
    Croatia
    Buzzing a little, the bottom of the string have to be 0.559 mm distant from the top of the 1st fret, now it's only 0.400 mm... the bone nut is weared or filed too much by the previous owner...just wish to set the guitar to the factory standards..
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2020
    FunkHead likes this.
  7. FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    I would try a sliver of Maple as a shim under the existing nut. But that Bone nut you listed looks pretty good too.
    Edit: make sure your nut has a flat bottom before ordering that particular nut.
     
    p-bass 77 likes this.
  8. p-bass 77

    p-bass 77

    Jun 14, 2020
    Croatia
    Good idea this one with the shim, otherwise I'll make a new nut from a blank piece of synthetic bone...
     
  9. FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    Cool. I have an Ebony nut on one of my basses.
     
  10. Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    Likely yours has a curved bottom slot, but it could have a flat bottom as well, especially if it's been replaced at some point. It's only a few bucks to order both, then you have what you need. :thumbsup:
     
    p-bass 77 likes this.
  11. p-bass 77

    p-bass 77

    Jun 14, 2020
    Croatia
    Ebony is nice , almost resonating as carbon or brass, but I need to keep the original vintage look
     
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  12. p-bass 77

    p-bass 77

    Jun 14, 2020
    Croatia
    Yeah, if the nut base at the fretboard is curved I'll modify the flat nut bone with the sandpaper attached to the fretboard to get the radius, cannot find a curved one 41,5 mm yet, at last, I'll make myself one with a blank piece of synth bone, thnx
     
    TN WOODMAN likes this.
  13. iiipopes

    iiipopes Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    Original look - bone.
     
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  14. p-bass 77

    p-bass 77

    Jun 14, 2020
    Croatia
    Done ! Just if someone wants to know, the 77 Fender Precision have a curved nut bottom slot, so I modified the purchased bone nut with the sandpaper attached to the fretboard to get the radius, and filed the string slots to get the desired action of 0,559 mm at the 1st fret. The bass now sounds better, the sustain improved a lot. No E string rattling anymore...
     
    Fender4Me likes this.