help! broken nut

[barginkov]

hopefully someone can help me, the nut on my 84 MM, broke right in half where the d string rests, is there some strong glue like super glue or something stronger i could use, that would hold it together, i really would rather not have to replace the nut with a new one if at all possible,, any one knows how to fix this ???

 

[oli@bass]

Go see a good luthier is your best bet. IMO

 

[ronnyG]

I use a 2 part epoxy to repair my busted nuts..yeah I get my nuts busted a lot. Any home depot or autoparts store sells it..try to find one best suited for plastics. If you are neat with it and maintain a little pressure while the epoxy is drying (generally dries very fast), that busted nut will be good as new and ready to abuse again within 24 hours !

A few pointers if you are a DIY'er type and not familier with 2 part epoxy. The stuff is brutal so precautions should be taken. First off don't use it near where anything you care about may get some dripped on it. Once dry it is really difficult to impossible to remove from some materials and surfaces. As well is doesn't come off skin easily and can glue your fingers together..which requires the ripping of your skin to have use again.

Wear rubber gloves..put down newspaper or similar to protect your working surface and surrounding area.

Carefully mix a small amount (50/50) of the 2 parts. I use a scrap piece of cardboard to mix it on..and use Q-tips to mix and apply. Wipe off any and all excess quicky while it is still soft..since once it hardens you will need a chisel to remove the excess..not something you really want to take to your Music Man. I like to apply good quality carpenters masking tape (the blue stuff) around the nut area and i actually perform the repair and let the epoxy dry with the nut installed. I place a wire zip tie or rig books on it or whatever I can figure out to maintain pressure on the nut until dry.

Depending on the selection where you purchase they do make some that dry more or less clear..as well as white so you may want to consider that as well..however if you work neatly you won't be able to see any of the epoxy and the nut will appear and perform like it was never broken when the repair is complete.

Good luck..if you have any doubts of your ability to perform this basic repair..then correct, as oli stated, bring it in to a qualified repair shop or luthier.

 

[oli@bass]

...yeah i get my nuts busted a lot.

no wonder, given that you're "bound to be misunderstood and piss someone off."

 

[phatduckk]

personally I dont see why you wouldn't want a new one... it's broken right?

I'd take it to my favorite local repair guy and get it replaced.

 

[ronnyG]

personally I dont see why you wouldn't want a new one... it's broken right?

I'd take it to my favorite local repair guy and get it replaced.

I must agree with the above of course...but the key word is "want". For me personally there have been times when I either did not have the funds..or the time to wait for a nut to be ordered as I don't think too many places stock MM nuts..and then there is set up time and costs if someone is unable to do their own nut set ups. As well some people simply want to keep their ax as original as possible so even something trivial as the nut being replaced..is not a desirable option.

So although for most it's often the preferred choice to have a brand new part professionally installed... in a pinch repairing a busted nut is really not rocket science and if the nut is simply cracked in two it should in all likelyhood not have an issue if you can epoxy it back together..and in my experience this has actually been a permanent fix.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnyg
...yeah i get my nuts busted a lot.
oli@bass
no wonder, given that you're "bound to be misunderstood and piss someone off."

This too.......is correct

 

[Aussie Mark]

the time to wait for a nut to be ordered as I don't think too many places stock MM nuts

Call me pragmatic, but my guess is that there is a better than average chance that the EBMM factory would have nuts in stock, and a phone call to Customer Service would have one to you in a day or two. I also can't imagine that a nut would be a high price item, since they're not made of ivory or kryptonite.

 

[ronnyG]

Call me pragmatic, but my guess is that there is a better than average chance that the EBMM factory would have nuts in stock, and a phone call to Customer Service would have one to you in a day or two. I also can't imagine that a nut would be a high price item, since they're not made of ivory or kryptonite.

Ok..you are pragmatic.

Kidding aside I am not disagreeing with anyone. But in fairness to the original poster I am sure he is fully aware that a nut can be ordered and professionally installed. However...he states he does not wish to replace it and simply asked if anyone knows how to repair a busted nut and what glue is strong enough.

So since I have done nut repairs and know how to do it and what glue to use, I figured I would offer a solution he was looking for..

On a side note..the nut in question is from a 1984 bass, can you be sure MM still stocks an identical replacment? And if so..will it take away from the originality? Will a new nut, even though a Musicman part, look out of place on a 24 year old bass? These and other questions may need to be asked.

 

[silverburst]

I guess my question would be" "How hard it would be to get an epoxied nut out if you ever wanted to replace the nut in the future?"

 

[ronnyG]

I guess my question would be" "How hard it would be to get an epoxied nut out if you ever wanted to replace the nut in the future?"

Well you don't really want too much if any epoxy on the surface where the nut meets wood, I prefer to use a little wood glue (like elmers) for securing the nut into the groove..but a little epoxy will get on it, the amount depending on how neat you do the repair..

..nothing a little sandpaper/filing can't take care of in the event you wish to replace it in the future. But you do not need too much epoxy for the nut itself..as they say 'a little dab will do it". Wipe off excess and all should be fine.