Evil Undead Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 So, my new bass needs to have the nut modded, as I need to use fatter strings (135 90 56 50). I've read that this isn't an easy job and that I should take it to a tech, but I don't have time - I need to have it done by tomorrow night really (rehearsal with new band, possible gig Sunday). So I need to do it myself. How do I do it? What do I need? Any advice very gratefully received! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [b]I need to mod my nut[/b] I've been thinking this for ages, Mel. ...Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1377172608' post='2184252'] [b]I need to mod my nut[/b] I've been thinking this for ages, Mel. ...Sorry. [/quote] Someone had to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 (edited) You'll probably find only the E ( 135) needs widening/deepening. Just did it myself on a new Star Bass yesterday, used a round mini file filing a little at the time on the saddle until the string sat in the groove ( as it was proud before). If you have some old strings of the same gauge, you could use the old E to create the groove( assuming it's not flatwound!) If you don't go mad it should not need any alteration to the saddle height. Don't go near any ebay listings from MDP however unless you want to see how it's not done.... As I had black saddles and the filing turned it to shiny, a black marker returned it to almost new. Edited August 22, 2013 by yorks5stringer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yepmop Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Think it's best to send to a Luthier the files you would need are quite expensive and it is a bit of an art form to get it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1377172883' post='2184261'] You'll probably find only the E ( 135) needs widening/deepening. [/quote] I thought that at first, but the A string (currently 85) is really tight in the nut slot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Nail file maybe as an interim measure. Then get a luthier to work on it asap after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Given the timescales involved, why not just hold off on changing strings until you have the time to do it "properly"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1377173493' post='2184272'] Given the timescales involved, why not just hold off on changing strings until you have the time to do it "properly"? [/quote] Good plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1377173493' post='2184272'] Given the timescales involved, why not just hold off on changing strings until you have the time to do it "properly"? [/quote] I could do that. Would drop B sound terrible with 105 gauge strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1377173493' post='2184272'] Given the timescales involved, why not just hold off on changing strings until you have the time to do it "properly"? [/quote] PHUR! Far to sensible. Where's the risk and excitement in that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1377173659' post='2184277'] I could do that. Would drop B sound terrible with 105 gauge strings? [/quote] I suspect that a 105 gauge string won't be playable if you drop it to B. But it'll only take you a minute to try it and find out. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1377173659' post='2184277'] I could do that. Would drop B sound terrible with 105 gauge strings? [/quote] I've done it in an emergency and it was 'passable'. There's a reduction in volume, and you might have to play quite near the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 A bit of wet & dry wrapped around the string and use that as a file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1377180000' post='2184405'] A bit of wet & dry wrapped around the string and use that as a file. [/quote] Not a bad shout. Is there anything I can use to stop the slot getting any deeper? I only want to widen it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1377180612' post='2184420'] Not a bad shout. Is there anything I can use to stop the slot getting any deeper? I only want to widen it. [/quote]Line the bottom of the slot with a thin metal shim, foil maybe, but just applying pressure sideways and not down should work without resorting to this. You could also gently scrape away with a small craft knife and finish with the wet 'n dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I've used the nail file on my swiss army knife before - seemed fine to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Ooh I just thought - wet 'n dry wrapped around a cocktail stick (or similar; knitting needle?) to roughly the required diameter and then just filing until the contraption hits the bottom of the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Has this thread really reached 18 posts without anyone mentioning [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177038-mark-d-phillips-guitar-improvermaster-bodger-this-guy-cracks-me-up/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177038-mark-d-phillips-guitar-improvermaster-bodger-this-guy-cracks-me-up/[/url] ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1377173749' post='2184279'] PHUR! Far to sensible. Where's the risk and excitement in that? [/quote] [size=4] Class.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1377184326' post='2184490'] Has this thread really reached 18 posts without anyone mentioning [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177038-mark-d-phillips-guitar-improvermaster-bodger-this-guy-cracks-me-up/"]http://basschat.co.u...y-cracks-me-up/[/url] ? [/quote] No it hasn't. [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1377172883' post='2184261'] You'll probably find only the E ( 135) needs widening/deepening. Just did it myself on a new Star Bass yesterday, used a round mini file filing a little at the time on the saddle until the string sat in the groove ( as it was proud before). If you have some old strings of the same gauge, you could use the old E to create the groove( assuming it's not flatwound!) If you don't go mad it should not need any alteration to the saddle height. [b]Don't go near any ebay listings from MDP[/b] however unless you want to see how it's not done.... As I had black saddles and the filing turned it to shiny, a black marker returned it to almost new. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1377186763' post='2184539'] No it hasn't. [/quote] Thank you Dave...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1377180612' post='2184420'] Not a bad shout. Is there anything I can use to stop the slot getting any deeper? I only want to widen it. [/quote] I actually widened the saddle not the nut, which surprisingly was wide enough but the cocktail stick suggestion seems good. If you do deepen it too much superglue and baking power mixed on the slot will build it back up again, google "Stewmac" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I still say a nail file: 1 - Mel almost certainly has one 2 - it would only have the rough bit on the sides, not the bottom of the slot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 (edited) 135-90-56-50? Weird gauge, the 56. Edited August 22, 2013 by pete.young Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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