I need a new nut.

[AcerbicCunnt77]

someone transplant please.

no but really I need a new nut in my P-bass. are there such things are really good ones and ones I really need to stay clear of, or is a nut a nut? I was thinking about just getting the cheapest white graphite nut off ebay for 3 dollars...

but the real question is, how do I change it? how does the one come out and the other stay back in place? help please:confused:

[Bassinator89]

just unstring it and poop out the nut, and then make sure the other fits in correctly and glue it in a bit. or thats what i would assume.

[FunkMetalBass]

glue. That's all it is. In fact, if the headstock is lower or angled from the neck in anyway, that wont even be necessary because the string tension will hold it on.

Supposably different materials give off different tones, but I've never really known any different.

http://www.warmoth.com
http://www.stewmac.com
http://www.carvin.com
http://www.eBay.com

You could find a replacement nut in all of those places.

[WhoDidTheElf]

The nut only affects open notes. And generally only affects sustain to my knowlege, as to which is the best...I wouldn't know to be honest, but I have heard a lot about those Warwick quick change ones?

[FunkMetalBass]

Quick change nuts?

Link?

[FenderJazz]

The nut only affects open notes.

I'm pretty sure thats incorrect. I dont know much about this either, but I have a book on instrument maintenance (I like working on guitars and basses) and the guy puts a lot of enfasis on the nut, saying that it is very important for the tone.

[WhoDidTheElf]

Well how does the nut affect the tone of a fretted note? Your finger cuts the string off before the nut? That's my thoughts on it.

[Potatoe]

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=361970

there is some helpful stuff in there!

http://www.warmoth.com/bass/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=string_nut

even better stuff in there!

[Jody LeCompte]

Carvin graphite nuts are worth every penny.

[edgebass5]

Well how does the nut affect the tone of a fretted note? Your finger cuts the string off before the nut? That's my thoughts on it.

You are exactly correct. That is in fact the reason people use zero-fret systems. Other than open notes and holding the strings in place the nut serves no purpose.

Now, threadstarter, a couple of things to consider. If its a P-Bass, you would be advised to just order a new nut from Fender (or an authorized dealer). The reason being is that most nuts you find out there are actually "blanks". You have to cut and file them yourself, whereas with a Fender nut it will already be cut and filed for you. Trust me, if you don't own the proper files to cut the string grooves you should not do it, you'll just be asking for open note buzz.

[TheBassman238]

You are exactly correct. That is in fact the reason people use zero-fret systems. Other than open notes and holding the strings in place the nut serves no purpose.

Now, threadstarter, a couple of things to consider. If its a P-Bass, you would be advised to just order a new nut from Fender (or an authorized dealer). The reason being is that most nuts you find out there are actually "blanks". You have to cut and file them yourself, whereas with a Fender nut it will already be cut and filed for you. Trust me, if you don't own the proper files to cut the string grooves you should not do it, you'll just be asking for open note buzz.

123456789.....

He speaks the truth...

-TBM

[AcerbicCunnt77]

alot of nuts I've seen on the e to the bay are actually pree slotted...

[PaulSimonon]

Don't buy a nut from ebay. If you're going to buy a blank go with one from LMI or Stew-Mac....

I personally would just go to a shop and have them replace it. Any decent shop ought to have blanks that they'll cut for you. It'll probably be easier and less expensive while assuring that you have a quality cut slot. If they mess it up, they'll have to redo it.

[AcerbicCunnt77]

i'm not buying a blank.

[Panda Licker]

Go to any reputable guitar store (I actually found that stores that deal primarily in accoustic guitars are best) and they can make you a nut out of almost any material you want

I payed $25 to have a Bone nut fit for my bass. Took maybe an hour, and worth every penny IMO

[Jimbobntnr]

so, which nut will give an open string the same tone as a fretted note?

[Panda Licker]

so, which nut will give an open string the same tone as a fretted note?


Something metal I'd say


Bell brass will give you something close. I'm not sure if they make Nickle or Stainless Steel nuts, but depending on which kind of fret you have, they should (in theory) give you the exact same tone

[Potatoe]

someone transplant please.

no but really I need a new nut in my P-bass. are there such things are really good ones and ones I really need to stay clear of, or is a nut a nut? I was thinking about just getting the cheapest white graphite nut off ebay for 3 dollars...

but the real question is, how do I change it? how does the one come out and the other stay back in place? help please:confused:

why do you need a new nut? did you break yours, or ware it down to the fretboard?

just curious...

[Nickle Pickle]

The old Peavey T-40's had stainless steel nuts i believe.

[rh15951]

so, which nut will give an open string the same tone as a fretted note?

a nut made from the same material of your frets

[edgebass5]

a zero fret would be the only thing to give the same tonality as a fretted note on the open notes

[Jimbobntnr]

is brass close? I've only played graphite and plastic.

[edgebass5]

It would likely be closer than graphite or plastic. It would be very similar to a bass that used brass for its fretwire (i.e. Warwick). Nickel/Steel would be the closest as that's the most common wire used for frets. You can buy Nickel/Steel blanks from warmoth.com too