Filing a Nut?

[Skybone]

Ok, so never filed a nut before. Any tips or guidance?

 

Currently, have a bass 'sat' in E standard on 45-105's, and quite fancy changing it to BEAD tuning. Got a set of 45-135's incoming, so will be sticking those on, but obviously, I'll have to file the nut for them to fit.

 

Assuming it's a case of "easy does it"? Do a bit on either side, then see how the string fits?

 

Any tips or tricks I need to know?

 

Thanks. 👍

[Andyjr1515]

...and I'm assuming you don't have any proper nut files @Skybone

 

The correct answer is 'take it to a guitar tech' but, if you are willing to risk having to do that anyway if it all goes wrong  :

 

What I would personally do for a bass - if my precious files got stolen on just the day I needed them - is:

- use the new strings themselves as the nut file formers.  This is tricky for a G string but, happily, you don't need to do that one

- make a sharp thin pencil mark along the bottom of the nut slots

- wrap a small piece of some 320-ish grit paper around the string - a half-loop only

- hold the paper tight on the string with thumb and finger of both hands and gently file the slot back and forth

- be patient...105 to 135 is quite a change

- change the sandpaper from time to time

- check the string fit without the sandpaper wrap from time to time to see the progress or lack of it

- as soon as there is ANY sign that the pencil mark is being sanded away, STOP!!!!

 

Be aware that properly slots are angled down a touch towards the headstock so that it is the very front edge of the slot that is the highest point.  You may need to follow this angle as you sand if you find that the string is riding high at the back edge of the slot.   

[BlueMoon]

Sound advice.  ^^^^^^^^^^^