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mike1762
Senior Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 972
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 4:58 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 7:22 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 7:23 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 7:30 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 9:14 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 10:06 am:   Edit Post

+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
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 5:19 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2012 - 3:39 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2012 - 4:51 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - 3:36 pm:   Edit Post

Yep, that Johnson guy knows a thing or two about basses!
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 843
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - 8:46 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post

I thought about it but decided restraint was the most appropriate response.... :-)



Jazzyvee
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 2043
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 7:42 am:   Edit Post

Two nuts are always better for most things in life
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5296
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 8:10 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 1:17 am:   Edit Post

Almond, Brazil, Cob........

:-)

Graeme
xlrogue6
Advanced Member
Username: xlrogue6

Post Number: 238
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 9:18 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 2:16 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 11:26 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2013 - 7:40 am:   Edit Post

"Thursday nights on CBS: "The Nut Files". Follow a big city psycotherapist as he...."

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