Funky Dunky Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) I've just slapped a nice new set of DR Sunbeams on my Squier VMPJ and I love 'em. They're a tad thicker than the Dunlop Super Brights that came off and as a result, they sit slightly more 'on' the nut slots than snugly 'in'. Thankfully there are no side-effects to this - no slipping or buzzing or anything nasty. But this raises a couple of questions: 1) SHOULD I file the slots and get the new strings sitting snugly? And if so, 2) Is there any household tool I could use to do the job, as I don't own the correct, specific tools? Or is that like asking if it's okay to respray the car with Dulux? Thanks :-) Edited May 10, 2015 by Funky Dunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBass3901 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Somebody please correct me if this is bad advice, but I have heard several people suggest getting a roundwound string of the required size and gently running it through the nut slot to act as a file works for small adjustments. Failing that, a needle file would do the trick. Just go slow and keep checking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 If you are definitely happy with this gauge of string, then it would be worth doing some filing to get them sitting correctly. I have used needle/jewellers files and with a cautious approach it worked fine. I do plan to treat myself to a proper set at some point but decent ones are a quite an investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operative451 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Emery boards - the disposable nail file types! That's what i've always used, they're designed to give a smooth finish and they're cheap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 [quote name='operative451' timestamp='1431272984' post='2769488'] Emery boards - the disposable nail file types! That's what i've always used, they're designed to give a smooth finish and they're cheap... [/quote]... and they file at the sides of the slot; not so much at the bottom, which is just what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 The cheapest set of bass nut slot files I can find are these - [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bass-Guitar-Nut-File-Set-3-double-sided-w-case-/121493237325"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bass-Guitar-Nut-File-Set-3-double-sided-w-case-/121493237325[/url]. About £45 incl shipping plus an import handling fee (around £8). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LITTLEWING Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 I've found that a set of watchmaker's screwdrivers are just about the right sizes of average bass nut slots. Wrap a small bit of fine sandpaper around the business end shaft keeping it on taut with finger and thumb and keep 'shafting' (oo-er missus !) and checking with each string tensioned up until you're happy with depth and width. Doesn't take long to go through plastic. Bone takes a bit longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 Thanks guys, all good suggestions. Now that you mention it, I think I've heard of the ol' roundwound string trick before. I might go with the emery board though, Mrs Funk has loads of them, leaves them lying about all over the place, to my annoyance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Remember - you are *widening* the slot - don't make it deeper (assuming all was previously OK!!). G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 Hi Geoff, glad you said that! This will probably be an intricate job, tiny wee bit then check it, tiny wee bit then check it.and if I screw up, it's a new nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I think the emery will work just fine. I've used a string wrapped in sandpaper, needle files, and just sandpaper rolled up upon itself - all worked OK. Best for accuracy and speed is a small rat tailed needle file - but it's only suitable down to the A string (75 or 80 thousandths of an inch). I picked up one of these, and while they take a long time to remove material, they are the right shape: [url="http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Gas-Welding-Tip-Nozzle-Cleaner-Set-Mig-Torch-Cutting-Metal-Box-/271735018109?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f44ab527d"]http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Gas-Welding-Tip-Nozzle-Cleaner-Set-Mig-Torch-Cutting-Metal-Box-/271735018109?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f44ab527d[/url] Go slow and it'll work out. I Use a 0.5 mm pick to estimate the nut action - if there's a significant gap (well over 0.5 mm) between the string and the first fret - you'll probably find fretting difficult, and have intonation problems. Well below 0.5 mm and you'll probably get into buzzing territory. P.S. I just had a search around - turns out there are all sorts of suggested values for nut action - I know I prefer less than half a mm - but your mileage may vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 Blimey! I'm scared now, like if I screw this up it could put a wrinkle in the space-time continuum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1431331381' post='2769943'] Blimey! I'm scared now, like if I screw this up it could put a wrinkle in the space-time continuum! [/quote] I wouldn't be - put some masking tape on the headstock and fretboard - then the worst you can do is spoil the nut! Just do it in small increments, watch a bunch of vids of it being done to get a good idea of what it should look like, and like I said - find something of an appropriate thickness to avoid filing/sanding the slot too deep. Top tip - use strong lighting to ensure excellent visibility. As nuts tend to be made of black or white materials I find a magnifying glass makes seeing the shape of the nut slot easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1431359636' post='2770457'] I find a magnifying glass makes seeing the shape of the nut slot easier. [/quote] +1 If you can get one on a stand even better, it really helps a lot with accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I treated my wife to one of these for her jewellery making, comes in very handy when I undertaking work to basses. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightcraft-LC8093EUK-Table-Magnifier-Lamp/dp/B00336VD18/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1431371628&sr=8-16&keywords=magnifying+lamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Halfords sell an ignition points file for about £1.99. Thats what I used, worked a treat. Just take your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1431359636' post='2770457'] I find a magnifying glass makes seeing the shape of the nut slot easier. [/quote] Same for fret crowning - or am I just getting old..... use the finest grade paper you can find,it will cut slower and give a smoother finish. If the paper is too sharp, you can blunt it by rubbing against itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I suspect I need to do some work to the nut on my Hoppus bass. The A string has started to buzz something rotten when played open. There appears to be some travel in the string between the nut and the tuning post where the other strings are held firm. If anyone has any ideas as to how to fix it they would be extremely welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Never tried it, but I read somewhere that you can build it back up with a mixture of superglue and baking powder, then file it back to the shape it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 [quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1432420175' post='2781382'] I suspect I need to do some work to the nut on my Hoppus bass. The A string has started to buzz something rotten when played open. There appears to be some travel in the string between the nut and the tuning post where the other strings are held firm. If anyone has any ideas as to how to fix it they would be extremely welcome! [/quote] Could be a few things, but given that it's on the A string of a fender style bass headstock - It's likely the result of, or made worse by, the break angle over the nut. Here's an extreme example of this (due to the A being wound up the tuning peg rather than down): Similar problem on the E here (I think). The A is wound farther down the peg on this one though - giving the A a more pronounced break angle over the nut: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) Crimson Guitars do a nut filing tool for £16. https://crimsonguitars.com/shop/guitar-building-tools/nut-shaping/nut-shaping-file I'm sure they've got YouTube vids on how to file nuts too. Edited May 24, 2015 by Mornats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1432467974' post='2781694'] Crimson Guitars do a nut filing tool for £16. [url="https://crimsonguitars.com/shop/guitar-building-tools/nut-shaping/nut-shaping-file"]https://crimsonguita...ut-shaping-file[/url] I'm sure they've got YouTube vids on how to file nuts too. [/quote] Looks like a handy tool for shaping the nut, but for the nut slots I imagine this would be more suitable, especially for electric guitar strings (or piccolo bass!). [url="https://crimsonguitars.com/shop/guitar-building-tools/nut-shaping/Nut-slotting-files"]https://crimsonguitars.com/shop/guitar-building-tools/nut-shaping/Nut-slotting-files[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1432435611' post='2781460'] Could be a few things, but given that it's on the A string of a fender style bass headstock - It's likely the result of, or made worse by, the break angle over the nut. Here's an extreme example of this (due to the A being wound up the tuning peg rather than down): Similar problem on the E here (I think). The A is wound farther down the peg on this one though - giving the A a more pronounced break angle over the nut: [/quote] You beauty! I had cut the string too short so it had too few winds, and was almost perfectly straight over the nut to the tuning post. I've just popped a new string on and left it long enough for a few more winds a low and behold, no buzz. Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 [quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1432483042' post='2781881'] You beauty! I had cut the string too short so it had too few winds, and was almost perfectly straight over the nut to the tuning post. I've just popped a new string on and left it long enough for a few more winds a low and behold, no buzz. Thanks for the help! [/quote] You're welcome. It's one of the flaws in the fender design (I think it's an older design than even Leo Fenders late 40's early 50's electric bass & guitar prototypes). The headstock is usually very tough, unlike tiltback headstocks of the time, but could always use a string tree on the A like: As you have found though - or more winds around the A tuning peg is usually enough to get out of the horrible "sitar" buzz zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) I did wonder about a tree on the A - my MusicMan SUB has the tree on the A and D, with nothing on the G, I'm assuming because of the placement on the headstock being closer to that of the E. EDIT: In fact, the higher end Fenders have a tree on the A too. This is a US Deluxe Jazz: http://classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/images/2013fenderjazzdeluxe/fenderdeluxejazz8.jpg Edited May 24, 2015 by theyellowcar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.