nut advice on a paesold bass

[Tomas Bouda]

wow, thanks for the super fast response.
i have noticed this problem off and on, likely due to the extreme humidity changes in southern ontario. the point you made about changing strings is one that hadn't even crossed my mind - i have, in fact, changed my strings to obligattos, from flexocores.
i should elaborate on the bass itself:
about two years ago i began playing in fifths. so, thats' CGDA, low to high, just like a 'cello. i wonder if changing the strings resulted in altering the tension of the strings - could the nut problem be a result of this?

[Tomas Bouda]

say, if i want to remove the nut and add a shim - how do i go about doing it?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tomas Bouda

say, if i want to remove the nut and add a shim - how do i go about doing it?

The Nut is glued in 'hopefully' with hide glue. Tapping it (strings off) with a small tool and mallet (or hammer) at the exposed ends back and forth should do it. Tease it like hot a Dentist pulls a tooth. You do not want to splt the Nut along the grain anf have to make a new one.

After the Nut is off, you will need to wash or scrape the old glue off all surfaces. THen you need some very thin Veneer. Any species will do. Any Cabinet shop or wood working place will have scraps lying around. Cut a small piece oversized and square the bottom where it touches the fingerboard. Put glue for now only on top of the shim and the not where it touches the shim/pegbox area. A small amount only as it will slip and slide. Put the Nut in place and use the Strings on half tension maybe (with Bridge) and use this as a clamp. When the Glue is dry, Tap off the Nut again like befor WITH the Shim glued to the back of the Nut only. The Nut might be slightly stuck to the Fingerboard or Pegbox but not as much as before, hopefully. Then, trim the excess wood of the shim till it's flush with the Nut. Take a magic marker and stain the shim wood so it matches the Nut better. Then, glue in place and re-cut any of the Nut ****s that are too high. Do this after the glue dries and with the bass string up so the tension gives you an accurate read... ok?

[Tomas Bouda]

sounds great. i can't wait to do the work.
thanks ken.
tomas