Boned Bongo!

[xring]

I think I will go graphite this time. I had ordered a comp nut from EBMM prior to the work, but it comes pre-slotted - actually the slot cuts are not "finished", but have been started if that makes sense. I'll get this whole thing finished eventually.

 

[prickly_pete]

For the cost to have someone shape and slot the nut for your bass, you could buy the tools and learn to do it yourself. Its really not that hard. I'm always suprised at how many people can't do basic work on their basses. No self respecting gear head would pay someone else to install a carb

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Gauged_Nut_Slotting_Files.html

 

[bovinehost]

Hoo, I do NOT respect myself, then.

I'll do a lot of stuff, some of it involving a soldering iron, but I ain't going after my own nuts with a file

the well you know what I mean,
Jack

 

[prickly_pete]

The trick is to drink plenty of your favorite adult beverage first!

I've made a bunch of nuts from scratch (bone and graphite blanks). I have a router table/stand for my dremel tool, and I use that to get the basic shape of the nut. After that slotting is a breeze with the proper files. Sometimes you have to clean the slot out and there is a special file for that too. Believe me, this is not that hard to do, especially on a four string bass. Just go slowly and measure everything twice. This is even easier if you have an old nut to use as a template for shapping the new one.

I worked in a music store for 10 years when I was younger -- part time the last five while I was in grad school. I was the guitar tech and did everything from stringing to refretting. I have worked on 10k Martins, and 50s p-basses. There are certain jobs which are clearly beyond the range of the do-it-yourselfer, but most of this stuff is pretty simple with the right tools. Besides, that nut couldn't turn out any worse than it is now

 

[prickly_pete]

One other thing, most of the local guitar techs are not very good, in my experience -- that picture of the nut above is a good example. Most of the guys doing this are just like everybody on this board only braver and in a hurry! Be afraid

 

[bovinehost]

I remain thankful for the guys I know who will file my nuts for me.

(SHUT UP.)

My pal Corey is a full-fledged luthier and builds acoustic instruments and so on, and I respect his abilities more than I can say. He tells me all the time that I could do nuts myself (another good band name, The Nut Slots), and maybe I could....but I'm an old dog and new tricks worry me.

Everything else? I'm in. Bring me my screwdrivers, Helga!

Jack

 

[prickly_pete]

I remain thankful for the guys I know who will file my nuts for me.

(SHUT UP.)

My pal Corey is a full-fledged luthier and builds acoustic instruments and so on, and I respect his abilities more than I can say. He tells me all the time that I could do nuts myself (another good band name, The Nut Slots), and maybe I could....but I'm an old dog and new tricks worry me.

Everything else? I'm in. Bring me my screwdrivers, Helga!

Jack

It sounds like your nuts are in good hands, Jack

 

[xring]

Yeah, I could have probably have done a better job. The only thing that really scares me is removing the old nut. I'd get the tools, but this will probably be a one time venture (well, OK, twice )

 

[prickly_pete]

Yeah, I could have probably have done a better job. The only thing that really scares me is removing the old nut. I'd get the tools, but this will probably be a one time venture (well, OK, twice )

Yeah you have got to be careful there, and hopefully that guy didn't use too much glue in the slot. The good news is that no matter how bad the nut is (its really not that bad, btw), it can be easily replaced.

 

[prickly_pete]

One last thing, I certainly don't hold myself out to be a master luthier (I'm certainly not building acoustic instruments) and I hope my posts above don't come off that way.