busted nut (on my Jazz)

[dg27]

The nut on my MIM Fender 62 RI Jazz cracked. I was tuning the D, heard a pop, and the piece outside the G string was just gone.

I believe it's bone.

Would appreciate hearing any recommendations as to what I should replace it with. I do not care about being "period correct": my only concern is maximum sustain.

dg

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: busted nut (on my Jazz)

If it's me, I'm going with black TUSQ. It's not going to sustain like brass, but it will be a helluva lot easier on the strings and make tuning (and staying in tune) easier.

If sustain is your goal, you are much better served by changing the bridge (if you haven't already). The bridge is a part of every note you play, whereas the nut only makes any difference when you are playing open strings.

 

[dg27]

Re: busted nut (on my Jazz)

+1 for TUSQ.

+1 for maximising sustain via a high-mass bridge.

Thanks, BlueTalon and FF. To clarify, the sustain is already OK; I'm holding off on a H M bridge on this one (it has a Fender vintage bridge).

I just didn't want a nut that might degrade it.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: busted nut (on my Jazz)

TUSQ all the way...also i believe those basses have synthetic bone nuts.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: busted nut (on my Jazz)

Thanks, BlueTalon and FF. To clarify, the sustain is already OK; I'm holding off on a H M bridge on this one (it has a Fender vintage bridge).

I just didn't want a nut that might degrade it.

No offense, but isn't that exactly the opposite of what you said in your opening post?

You can get a Fender high(er) mass bridge that will still fit the look of your bass (in my opinion, it will vastly improve the look of your bass, because I really don't like the cheap look of the bent metal, but that's me), while improving sustain.

 

[dg27]

Re: busted nut (on my Jazz)

No offense, but isn't that exactly the opposite of what you said in your opening post?

What I meant was I'm happy with the sustain as it is; I just didn't know whether the nut material might degrade the sustain from what it's like now.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have Gotoh 201s on a few of my other basses and do like them very much.

I have the stock Fender bridge on my '76 P and have never felt the need to change it. I feel the same about this one (not compelled to change).