Do I need a new Compensated nut? 2007 SR5

[tbonesullivan]

So, I re-oiled and rewaxed my SR 5HS, and I've noticed that the nut, particurly the low B, seems to be pretty close to the fretboard itself. I'm not sure if this was originally this way, or that someone lowered it on purpose, or maybe just years of wear. Anywho, the string behind the nut is now making contact with the end of the fretboard on the peghead side of the nut. I compared it with my minty 2012 SR5, and the spacing is a bunch higher off the fretboard.

The bass still plays fine though, no intonation, buzzing etc. Should I leave it, or should I work on procuring a new compensated nut?

 

[nervous]

I'd say probably not. FWIW, the marking or grooving you see on the backside of the nut might just be normal. I just when through all three of my SR5's from a variety of years and was surprised to see that they all had that. From what I can see the taper of the tuner peg drives the string to the very bottom of the peg and I see no way of moving that up unless one coiled the string upward, above the inserted string rather than the normal down.

Quick check for nut height. Fret or capo a string at the third fret. While fretting reach over and push the string onto the first fret. There should be just a little gap between the string and fret. The rule of thumb is ~.003" clearance at the first fret when the string is stopped at the third fret. That is .0762 mm. It is roughly the thickness of a sheet of notebook paper. You should hear an audible click indicating that gap. No click means your already fretted out on the first fret and that could indicate s too deep nut slot. I don't know the EBMM spec but in checking two of mine this looks to be what they are or less. my '07 and '09 are identical. You get the idea.

But if it's playing well I think I'd move on and forget about it. That's what I did. Strung up you can't see it anyway.

 

[sanderhermans]

3 of my sr4s have one or more stings siging into the fretboard on the tuner side too. This is something normal and happens because the tuners push the string down so efficiently. If the string is almost flat against the headstock it will contact some of the fb before reaching the nut.

 

[tbonesullivan]

The string height above the first fret is fine. No buzz or anything. I'll probably just leave it as is, though now I wonder if the nut on the other SR5 is TOO high. I've been kinda not playing bass for a buncha months, and in the middle of winter now all my basses need neck adjustments, so I'm noticing things like this (and overreacting)