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Bass Nut - String Setback

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2022 3:00 pm
by mrblue
Hello,

I picked up a used MIM Fender Jazz bass recently. The nut has a sizeable chunk missing on the G side, thus making intonation of the G string a little difficult. That being said, I plan to replace the stock nut with a bone nut.

I have experience making nuts for guitars, but I have never made one for a bass. As a general rule of thumb, when I measure the setback for the high and low E strings, on the guitar, I like to leave about 1/16" from the edge of the string to the top of the fret bevel. This is typically enough space so, when playing, the strings don't roll off the fretboard.

My question is: When making the string slots on a bass nut, is there a typical, rule of thumb-type, measurement, such as the 1/16" for guitar, to use when determining setback?

Thank you.

Re: Bass Nut - String Setback

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 10:17 am
by fretless
you mean spacing , yes it's standard for Fender , but there are a few nut widths that Fender did over the years so once you determine that total width get the correct blank and go from there . You also need to determine if it's curved bottom or flat . I would buy a pre slotted bone nut from Fender parts I've used many and they are always great . I think there are a few spacing tools out there to speed things up for Luthiers as well , maybe Stew mac can help there .
this is for a p but you get the idea
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333920726983?e ... Swq8FhS~1J