5 string bass nut setting.

[KenH]

Hi there everyone, I'm a L.I.T. (Luthier in Training) my son has a Cort Left Hand 5 string bass the nut has broken and I am having a go at doing a new nut. So far this is what I've worked out......

Nut width: 6mm, length: 45mm, height: 8mm
Nut Centre 22.5mm
String spacing; B: 3mm from edge, G: 3mm from edge, D,A,E 9.75mm

Are the spacing's right, Thanks in advance....

Cheers Ken.

[kiwigeo]

Welcome to the forum Ken,

One of the bass experts will chime in but on most of my acoustics the outside strings are around 3mm in from the end of the nut and I then equally space the remaining strings. This is probably the most common method of determining string spacing. The alternative which involves some calculations but to some people looks visually better is to employ equal spacing between the outside of each string pair rather measuring from string centre. In your situation I'd go for the simpler method.

If the bass doesn't have a zero fret then you will have to make sure string slots in the nut are cut to the correct depth.....if height of strings at first fret is different from original nut then instrument will be affected.

[jeffhigh]

I have a cort 5 string bass too, from before I started building.
It has a 45mm nut and as close as I can measure it has 5mm from the edge to the centre of the B and G strings and uniform 8.5mm centres spacing between.
I would not want the strings any closer to the edge

[KenH]

Cheers fellows, that will help me sort it out....

[ozziebluesman]

G'day Ken,
Welcome to the forum.
Cheers
Alan