fretless nut

[mastrrbasser]

So i defretted my jazz bass a while back, and i decided that the nut is way too high. I was debating buying a new one, but i was wondering if i could make one to my own specifications. I need it to be low, and i want to be able to string my bass eadg, or bead, so i was wondering if there is some sort of rubber material i could use to build a nut. I'm thinking something rubber, or something flexible, yet sturdy could be used to make the nut firm(excuse the sexual inuendo), but able to secure a low B string, or an E string in place. Suggestions? ideas?

[ebe9]

Why a "rubber" like substance?

Best bet I could think of off hand is a hardend silicone

[mastrrbasser]

Why a "rubber" like substance?

Best bet I could think of off hand is a hardend silicone


that's kind of what i meant. nothing floppy, but a rubber/silicone type material.

[ebe9]

that's kind of what i meant. nothing floppy, but a rubber/silicone type material.

But why a rubber/silicone based nut?

Why not a brass one or bone?

[mastrrbasser]

Aren't they just as high as a regular plastic nut? I need something low. So was considering making one myself.

[Belfast Bassist]

Cant you just file your existing one down?

[ebe9]

Just thought of another problem with your idea of a "rubber" based nut.

It would be susceptible to movment in terms of tuning the strings and also more than likely give you intonation problems.

You can easily make your own nut out of brass, all you need to do is get hold of a piece and file it into the shape you need if you are wanting to make a new one, or you could always just order a nut from warwick since their ones are adjustable

[mastrrbasser]

Just thought of another problem with your idea of a "rubber" based nut.

It would be susceptible to movment in terms of tuning the strings and also more than likely give you intonation problems.

You can easily make your own nut out of brass, all you need to do is get hold of a piece and file it into the shape you need if you are wanting to make a new one, or you could always just order a nut from warwick since their ones are adjustable


yeah i was also thinking of getting a warwick one. The just-a-nut on my warwick is really nice. Yeah the rubber thing was a dumb idea, but i deffinately plan on making my own nut. By rubber i didn't mean something really soft either. I have a few other top secret materials in mind and i'm going to see how it works when i'm done polying the neck. I have coat number two drying right as we speak. thanks for the advice.

[ebe9]

Good luck in your endevour, hope it works out.


Now by super secret materials, do you mean "Bat Cave" technology ;)

[Esp Griffyn]

Just buy a graphite nut.

[mastrrbasser]

Good luck in your endevour, hope it works out.


Now by super secret materials, do you mean "Bat Cave" technology ;)


more secret. This is so secret that if batman found out, i would have to kill him.

[FunkMetalBass]

Don't you want a harder nut? It provides for more sustain and generally wont ware down as easily.

Plus, you could just file down the nut yourself. That's how they're made anyways.

[Left Shoe]

the, imo, really matters on open strings, and on fretless i try to avoid those due to the lack of fretless tone

[Thonk]

the, imo, really matters on open strings, and on fretless i try to avoid those due to the lack of fretless tone
I absolutely despise that.

I try to avoid it too but sometimes it's just not feasable.

[Son of Magni]

Well, that's a good point but you also want something as hard as possible because something soft like rubber will allow the string to dig into it, which will cause all kinds of problems when you're tuning.

Besides if the nut is adjusted low enough, the open string sound is really about the same as a stopped note. (Assuming your fingers are callused enough.)

[Left Shoe]

I absolutely despise that.

I try to avoid it too but sometimes it's just not feasable.
example?

[shacklecrow]

a brass nut will set you back $4 much better than rubber. And its better sustain

[mastrrbasser]

you know there is a such thing as hard rubber. It's called ebonite. That's what i meant by rubber, not the elastic ****.

[Thonk]

example?
"Amerika" by Jaco, for example.

Near the end there is a
D|-14-
A|-0-

9 fret stretch ftw.

[FunkMetalBass]

^ you could play it:

G|-9-
D|----
A|----
E|-5-

Easy solution to avoid open strings: Eb tuning and a capo.

[Destructo Spin]

I defretted my Squier a while ago and never did anything with the nut.Ive seen 2/3 threads like this the past few days.

Could someone give me a rundown of whats really required post-defret to have the "ideal" setup?

[FunkMetalBass]

Usually lower action and/or filed-down nut because there aren't any frets for the string to vibrate against and cause buzz.

[bass&cookies]

i sanded the nut down. it helped alot.