Nut filing

[Mr.T]

I have fitted a Mighty Mite Jazz neck to a P-Body recently purchased from a fellow BassChatter.
The neck fitted perfectly with no need for shims....

However, the nut needs filing to lower the action.
I have read up on the subject, and it seems fairly straightforward.

Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can get my hands on the files required to do the job?
I don't want to spend much on them, as I doubt it is something I will ever do again.... as I usually play Status basses.

[budget bassist]

You can use regular nail files, though if you want something that might take a bit more off, try some metal files, a quick search on machine mart brought [url="http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/file/type/any/page/1"]these[/url] up

[Mr.T]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='455814' date='Apr 6 2009, 08:31 PM']You can use regular nail files, though if you want something that might take a bit more off, try some metal files, a quick search on machine mart brought [url="http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/file/type/any/page/1"]these[/url] up[/quote]

I thought the width of the slot is fairly critical?
Or is it just a case of making sure the string sits snuggly in the bottom curve of the slot?

[YouMa]

You can actually get nut files which are basically just needle files,do an internet search on needle files,then its just a case of filing the slots by eye.Just go easy on them.

Edited April 6, 2009 by YouMa

[budget bassist]

[quote name='Mr.T' post='455818' date='Apr 6 2009, 08:36 PM']I thought the width of the slot is fairly critical?
Or is it just a case of making sure the string sits snuggly in the bottom curve of the slot?[/quote]
I've done it before and it takes a lot to actually make a critical mistake. If you use fairly thin files, that shouldn't happen. As long as the width of the hole is about right, it should be fine.

[bremen]

[quote name='YouMa' post='455826' date='Apr 6 2009, 08:41 PM']You can actually get nut files which are basically just needle files,do an internet search on needle files,then its just a case of filing the slots by eye.Just go easy on them.[/quote]


The difference between nut files and ordinary needle files (apart from a huge price difference) is that nut files aren't tapered, so the slot is the same width from the front to the back of the nut. They also come in sizes to exactly match the strings.

Probably not worth the $$$ unless you're going to be doing a lot of setups though, I'm sure plenty folk have got good results from careful use of a small needle file.

PM me if you buy a set and want to sell them on though!

[GreeneKing]

I did a search for proper nut files a way back and they were mega expensive (from StewMac I think). Needle files or rifler files used with care should do the job.

This type look the business for more serious work and aren't as expensive as the ones I looked at before:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Norman-bass-six-string-Guitar-Nut-File-System_W0QQitemZ300305568227QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item300305568227&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A2|240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Norman-bass-six-stri...%3A2|240%3A1318[/url]

Edited April 6, 2009 by GreeneKing

[budget bassist]

I had a very small round file that i used for it, but it was only small enough for the E string, i used a nail file for the rest.

[beerdragon]

I bought these from Maplins ith the intention of buying a Badass bridge, but that never took off. they are cheap enough and do a job.

[url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3852&C=SO"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3852&C=SO[/url]

[bremen]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='455843' date='Apr 6 2009, 08:56 PM']I had a very small round file that i used for it, but it was only small enough for the E string, i used a nail file for the rest.[/quote]

If you use a nail file you'll end up with a square profile at the bottom of the slot. You can use an old roundwound string of the appropriate guage as a file to round it off: pull it back and forth like dental floss from hell.

[bremen]

[quote name='beerdragon' post='455845' date='Apr 6 2009, 08:58 PM']I bought these from Maplins ith the intention of buying a Badass bridge, but that never took off. they are cheap enough and do a job.

[url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3852&C=SO"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3852&C=SO[/url][/quote]

'1400mm length'




'Please note that, under the Offensive Weapons Act 1996, this product cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18.'

Not surprised, you could have someone's lung out with one of them!

[budget bassist]

[quote name='bremen' post='455847' date='Apr 6 2009, 08:59 PM']If you use a nail file you'll end up with a square profile at the bottom of the slot. You can use an old roundwound string of the appropriate guage as a file to round it off: pull it back and forth like dental floss from hell.[/quote]
Meh, it worked, it was only an OLP neck.

[bremen]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='455855' date='Apr 6 2009, 09:04 PM']Meh, it worked, it was only an OLP neck.[/quote]

sure, I was just saying there's nowt wrong with using a nail file!

[budget bassist]

aye, i didn't think of using an old string though.... good idea!