9 best bass guitar nuts

A bass guitar nut is a small but essential component of the bass guitar's neck and plays a crucial role in the instrument's playability and tone. Here's what you need to know about bass guitar nuts:

Location and Function: The nut is a small piece, usually made of materials like plastic, bone, graphite, or synthetic materials. It is located at the top of the bass guitar's neck, just before the headstock. Its primary function is to maintain proper string spacing and height above the fretboard.
String Guide: The nut acts as a string guide, ensuring that the strings are evenly spaced as they pass over it.Proper spacing is essential for accurate playing and prevents the strings from rubbing against each other.
String Height: The height of the nut determines the string's action at the first fret. Properly adjusted nut height is crucial for playability, as it affects the ease of fretting notes and intonation. An improperly set nut can result in buzzing, intonation issues, and difficulty in playing.
Materials: Nuts can be made from various materials, each with its own characteristics:
- Bone: Bone nuts are known for their resonance and tonal qualities. They are a popular choice among luthiers and players for their ability to enhance sustain and overall tone.
- Plastic: Plastic nuts are common on budget bass guitars. While they are less expensive, they may not offer the same tonal benefits as bone or other materials.
- Graphite: Graphite nuts are known for their self-lubricating properties, which can reduce string friction and improve tuning stability.
- Synthetic Materials: Some modern bass guitars use synthetic materials like Tusq or Corian for nuts, which aim to combine the benefits of various materials.
Replacing the Nut: Over time, a nut can wear down or become damaged. When this happens, it may need replacement. Changing the nut should be done by a skilled technician or luthier to ensure proper fitting and adjustment.
Nut Lubrication: Proper lubrication of the nut slots can improve tuning stability and reduce string binding. Lubricants specifically designed for this purpose are available.
String Gauge Considerations: If you change your bass guitar's string gauge, it may be necessary to adjust the nut slots to accommodate the new strings properly.

In summary, the bass guitar nut is a seemingly small but crucial component that affects the instrument's playability, intonation, and tone. Properly selecting, setting up, and maintaining the nut is essential for ensuring your bass guitar performs at its best. Different materials offer various tonal qualities, allowing players to customize their instrument's sound to their preferences.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best bass guitar nuts on the market

6Pcs Bone Guitar Nuts Blank For Electric Bass Acoustic Classical Guitar Mandolin Banjo Ukulele Nut Blank,52x6x10mm,MusicOne

Based on 423 reviews Check latest price

Materials:Real high quality buffalo bone
Apply to Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar Bass guitar,Mandolin Banjo Ukulele
Nut size: Approx 52mm × 10mm× 6mm
Package includes: 6 x Bone Guitar Nut Blank, 2 x polishing paper.

User questions & answers

Question:	Who is the seller of this product
Answer:	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M4HO41K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Question:	Do i need to cut the slots
Answer:	They do not come with string notches/slots. I have not cut string notches/slots, but I suppose you could if you wanted to. They do require a bit of modification based on the guitar you are using them on, mostly sanding to fit the bridge saddle slot.
Question:	My order consisted of 3 blanks that were less than 3mm ( 2.94, 2.89, 2.84) WHY undersize
Answer:	The ones that are ybiner are for the saddle and the thicker ones are for the nuts
Question:	Does this really work
Answer:	What do you mean by "work"? These are solid, well cut, rectangular blanks that you file and cut to make guitar nuts.

Bone Bass Nut,2 Pcs 4 String Nuts for Bass Guitar Replacement (white)

Based on 56 reviews Check latest price

The Bone Bass Nut fits Many Bass Guitar
Size: 42 X 3.2 X 4.6mm(1.653 X 0.126 X 0.181 inches)
Made of Real Bone
Include 2 Pcs Replacement Bass Nuts

User questions & answers

Question:	What is the radius
Answer:	I believe it 7.5
Question:	Fit mini P bass
Answer:	It fit my fender P Bass.
Question:	Will this fit a fender mexican P Bass
Answer:	might not be high enough
Question:	Are these made with human bone
Answer:	These are made from the thigh bones of free range orphans who are raised specifically for the thigh bone harvesting by the cartels.

Greenten Bass Bone Nut 4 String Replacement (38 X 6 mm, Unbleached)

Based on 138 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Item 100% as picture show

Material:Cattle bone

Item 100% as picture show
Material:Cattle bone
Size: 38 X 6 X 9/8.3mm(1.496 X 0.236 X 0.354 / 0.326 inches)
Package Include:1 * Bass Guitar Nut

User questions & answers

Question:	how well could this fit a classical guitar
Answer:	Not well. It's cut for a bass. There are far too many better options that are actually made for guitar at the right price to try to make the wrong thing possibly fit. Just measure carefully & you'll find what you're looking for.
Question:	Will this nut fit a 1.5 radius jazz bass neck
Answer:	Not sure what you mean by a 1.5" radius, but, short answer, yes. The nut is 42mm wide, which is about 1.7" (not exact, just converting in my head). Your average jazz bass (or your average bass in general) takes either a 42mm or 1.5" nut. It's also thicker and taller than you really need, so you can file or belt-sand it into just about any size you want. Also just a note on conforming to fingerboard radius, you can file or sand the slots to any suitable height for each string in order to set nut action. Either refer to standard Fender (or whatever) factory setup and use an automotive feeler gauge, or eyeball it and go by feel/string tension.
Question:	Can it be used for a cigar box guitar
Answer:	The nut groves have been precut to accommodate Bass Guitar strings. Also the radius of this Nut follows that of a J Bass so out of the box I doubt this but would work for your build. There are Bone Nut blanks that can be purchased that have not been precut or shaped that would be a better option for you. Depending on your neck dimensions I’d probably look for a blank that fits a banjo guitar. Good luck
Question:	Is this okay for left and right handed basses
Answer:	Yes it is. The bridge just has to be oriented 180 degrees from the right handed instrument . Then it should be fine.

Stainless Steel Electric Guitar BASS Nut for 5-string Guitar (Bronze)

Based on 23 reviews Check latest price

Product description

"Material: Stainless Steel

Specification: 45x3.6mm

Suitable for: 5-string guitar, bass, UKLL, violin

Made of Stainless Steel, durable and not easy to break

Provide the best tonal link between your strings and guitar neck.

Package content:

Guitar Nut x 1"

Suitable for: 5-string guitar, bass, UKLL, violin
Made of Stainless Steel, durable and not easy to break
Provide the best tonal link between your strings and guitar neck.

2 x Slotted Nut For 4 Strings Bass Guitar Flat-bottom 42mm /1-10/16" ,Black

Based on 24 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Our replacement guitar nuts are designed to transfer the right frequencies more efficiently from the string to the guitar body. Acoustic guitars come alive. Electric guitars will get a brighter sound and increased harmonic content.

Dimensions: 1-10/16"long ; 2/16" thick ; 4/16" high (42mm x 3mm x 6mm)
Made of High quality ABS material. Color: Black
Flat-bottom /hollow interior
string space : 1-11/32" or 34mm
Quantity: 2 Pcs

DISENS Bass Guitar Nut 4 String Slotted Bone Bridge Nuts Electric Guitar Replacement Neck Parts & Accessories

Based on 74 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Features:

100% brand new, high quality and testing is fine

This bass bone nut has precutted string slots, easy to install

Our pre-slotted guitar nut made from high dense, unbleached real cattle bone.

Ideal for replacement nut for guitar and upgrade the nut on your bass guitar.

Please measure the dimension of your guitar nut. Our guitar nuts can easily be removed with fine grit sandpaper, to achieve a perfect fit for your guitar.

Specification:

Material: cattle bone

Guitar Nut Size: Length x Thickness x Height: Approx. 38x6x9/8.3mm(1.49x0.23x0.35/0.32inches);E to E String Spacing: Approx. 30mm(1.18")

Package included:

1pcs Bass Guitar Bone Nut

♫ REAL BONE GUITAR NUT: This bass guitar nut made of high dense, unbleached real cattle bone,it can provides better tone than cheaper plastic parts.Its density and minimal porosity are features that yield good intonation and clarity,great for Ibanez style bass guitar.
♫ GREAT GUITAR NUT REPLACEMENT PART: These bone bass nut can increase mid and high end harmonics, increase bass repsonse, improve tone, optimal vibration transfer
♫ EASY TO INSTALL: Pre slotted bass guitar nut which requires very little experience to install.You could do it along even you are very little experience.
♫ Guitar Nut Size: Length x Thickness x Height:38x6x9/8.3mm(1.49x0.23x0.35/0.32inches); E to E String Spacing: 30mm(1.18"). Package Included: 1pcs bass guitar bone nut
♫ NOTE:Please measure the dimension of your guitar nut carefully before your order it. You may need to sand or deepen the slots, and polish the nut when you install it. Our bone guitar nuts can easily be removed with fine grit sandpaper, to achieve a perfect fit for your guitar

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this fit a first act bass guitar
Answer:	In order to find out u need to measure the nut that is there, if it is not the right size your strings will be too close together, i am not aware of a bass made by first act so couldnt tell you directly

GRAPHTECH Guitar Top Nut (PT-1200-00)

GRAPHTECH

Based on 102 reviews Check latest price

Product description

graphtech black tusq xl nut - bass 4 string

GraphTech Black TUSQ XL Bass Nut
Graphtech Black Tusq Xl Nut - Bass 4 String
Designed to boost guitar performance, TUSQ XL is precision engineered and specially formulated to bring out the hidden harmonics and richness in every note.
TUSQ XL is based on the highly resonant TUSQ man made ivory and impregnated with PTFE, the slipperiest substance on earth, to improve the tuning performance of the guitar.
Improved tuning stability, improved harmonic content

User questions & answers

Question:	Which graphtech nut will fit an ibanez sr250 bass? thanks
Answer:	Take measurements of your old nut, then look for the sizes on the new nuts, you can also file them down.
Question:	Will this fit an Epiphone Goth Thunderbird
Answer:	I have a dean edge that it did not fit on, so I eventually had to go through the trouble of getting a new nut fit on by a professional. I think you should defenitley give this nut a try before hand, but if you don't know the exact nut size for your bass, then you'll probably continue to have trouble.
Question:	Would this fit a Ovation Celebrity bass
Answer:	Not sure I got this for a BC rich and it did not fit. Best way is to measure your old nut and go from there.
Question:	Will this fit a squire classic vibe 50s precision bass
Answer:	Our 1204 nut is often a good fit for P-basses, however, it is always best to compare our listed dimensions against an actual instrument when determining the compatibility

Fender re-Slotted - American Series String Nut Precision Bass

Fender

Based on 62 reviews Check latest price

Product description

High-quality Micarta (simulated bone) string nut for electric bass, with 9.5" radius. Pre-slotted with string location points to make spacing and positioning a breeze when performing the final nut slot filing.

High-quality Micarta (simulated bone) string nut for electric bass, with 9.5" radius
Pre-slotted with string location points to make spacing and positioning a breeze when performing the final nut slot filing
9.5" radius, 1.655" wide
Some modification may be required

User questions & answers

Question:	You can also send in Italy ? With what cost ? thanks
Answer:	we do ship to Italy. When you put the item in your cart and specify the country, Amazon will give the shipping costs. You can then decide whether or not to purchase. Thanks
Question:	I am replacing a broken nut that is 42mm long, height from about 8.1 mm to 9.2, width 6 mm (all approx). will this work? it is an old rogue p-bass
Answer:	I just had to drop it in and everything lined up.
Question:	Will this fit a squire p bass? I think mine is flat bottomed and this looks curved
Answer:	It should, but I'd do a quick search on the Web just to make sure.
Question:	Will this fit a squire jazz bass
Answer:	This should fit depending on which Squier Jazz. More importantly taking out the original nut and installing a new one have specific steps to do so correctly. Please consider taking your bass to a Fender Authorized Technician for best results.

KAISH 45x6 Cattle Bone Bass Guitar Nut Real Pure Bone Nut for 5 String Bass

Based on 53 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Real Bone Bass Nut

Dimension: 45x6x9/8(mm)
Real bone nut for electric bass
Please note you may need to sand or deepen the slots, and polish the nut when you install it
Please check the dimension carefully before your order it.