| Author | Message | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 972 Registered: 1-2008 |
I'm going to convert my Orion to BEAD tuning, so I need to file the nut slots a bit wider. Will "regular" files do the job on a brass nut??? The cheapest I can find a set of files is close to $100... anybody have a cheaper solution??? | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 973 Registered: 1-2008 |
When I say "regular" I mean commercially available nut files (I assume meant for bone/graphite nuts) ... not a woodworking rasp file!!! | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2040 Registered: 11-2004 |
Why don't you get another brass nut just in case you decide to back to standard tuning | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 974 Registered: 1-2008 |
Well, that makes more sense. I've never tried to get anything direct from Alembic... they will do this??? I'd probably need to send in my current nut to be sure all the other measurements are the same. Actually, I'd love to have adjustable nuts on ALL my other instruments. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1184 Registered: 1-2005 |
They did it for my 5-string Stanley - went from BEADG to EADGC. You are also probably going to need new saddles, and truss rod/bridge height adjustments. I was fortunate in that I was able to have the work done at the mothership. | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 424 Registered: 8-2008 |
+1 on the extra nut if you can get one from HQ. And this would be the time to go "adjustable" if that's what you ultimately want. Brass is pretty malleable so if you have some skills, files, and sandpaper you may be able to tweak the "fit" yourself. (I don't know how the Orion nut is attached however.) I had a set of nut files from StewMac but have since figured out that I could make more perfect fitting "files" from a block of wood and an old set of strings. I literally use an E string to cut the E-string slot. Results were pretty good, you just need to pay attention to the angle and try to get all the slot depths to match the radius of the first fret. I should also say it helped to have the adjustable / removable nut because I was able to secure it to another chunk of wood while I operated on it. It would be difficult to do this if it was still mounted to the bass. Jimmy J | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 975 Registered: 1-2008 |
I need to change the strings on my 6 string anyway, so I'll try using the old strings as a file (I could also wrap some sandpaper around a smaller gauge string for a little more cutting action if need be). I'm thinking about having the Orion refinished and chrome plating the hardware, so I could have another nut made at that time. I'm anxious to see if this BEAD idea will work for me. Otherwise, the bass NEVER gets any use. | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 77 Registered: 10-2003 |
Back in 2001 (think it was, give or take a few years) I waited roughly a year for a nut and tailpiece for my 5 string.. (Was converting it from right hand to lefthand) After a decent pile of emails back and forth the stuff finally arrived, but the nut was just a blank. Which needed to be made to fit by the Norwegian importer, Fotophono. They did a very halfassed job about it btw.. If you ABSOLUTELY don't need an adjustable nut any decent local guitartech can whip you up a fitted nut made from pretty much any maaterial you like. Unless you like me live close to the north pole. :P | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 976 Registered: 1-2008 |
The "old string as a file" trick worked (I actually wrapped a thin piece of fine grade sandpaper around it). I did a complete set-up and, except for some "B" string rattle on the upper frets, it feels pretty good. I'll let the neck settle in for a day or two and see if I can get the rattle out. | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 237 Registered: 8-2002 |
Yep, that Johnson guy knows a thing or two about basses! | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 843 Registered: 5-2007 |
I thought the jokers among us would have a field day with the title of this thread | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3261 Registered: 6-2002 |
I thought about it but decided restraint was the most appropriate response.... :-) Jazzyvee | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2043 Registered: 11-2004 |
Two nuts are always better for most things in life | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5296 Registered: 7-2004 |
Before I had nut files, I kept on losing my nuts. Now I know exactly where they are - and in alphabetical order too! Bill, tgo | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3303 Registered: 10-2002 |
Almond, Brazil, Cob........ :-) Graeme | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 238 Registered: 8-2002 |
Soon to be a major motion picture--"The Nut Files", the story of the Alembic Club. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 979 Registered: 1-2008 |
The Orion is working-out really well tuned BEAD. The neck went crazy for a few weeks, but it's settled-down now. I'll be using it on a gig in a few weeks. | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 567 Registered: 9-2004 |
Harbor Freight has a set for $2.99 that will work! You file it and then smooth it by running a wound string through the slot. Test the files on some brass stock (Ace hardware) first to find the best ones for the job. | ||
| oldlefty
New Username: oldlefty Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2012 |
"Thursday nights on CBS: "The Nut Files". Follow a big city psycotherapist as he...." |
