Bone nut - Is this right?

[VoxMechanica]

Hello DB. Query on the bone nut, received with my PB4-A kit. Is this reversed? Assuming that the widest groove is for the E string, the top surface ramp/taper faces to the headstock and not to the fretboard. I hope the pics of comparison with the original plastic nut show what I mean.

[Simon Barden]

I can't see whether it says L/H or R/H nut on the card in the package. But assuming that you've got a R/H bass, and in the second picture that the bottom E slot is nearest the camera, then the DB nut is sloping correctly. Fender-style nuts are normally either left flat on top, or like other guitar nuts, are sloped down toward the headstock side, with the fretboard size being the highest. So to me it looks like the kit nut had been incorrectly sloped and the replacement is fine.

However, you'll probably need to cut the slots a bit deeper once the bass is put together. After that you've probably got enough height to file the top down a bit and level it if you wish. Just round the corners off so you've got no pointy bits to stick in your hand.

[VoxMechanica]

Thanks Simon. But the photo doesn't show the bone nut too clearly. Assuming that the widest groove is for the E string (what else?) these two nuts are mirror images, so with the bone nut the strings would go from the tuners straight on to the top of the slope then down the slope toward the bridge.
Logically I seem to have an incorrectly packaged bone nut but I thought I had better ask just in case there is some secret bone-nutters business that only the initiates would understand.

[wokkaboy]

Hey Vox looks like DB may have mixed up a left hand nut. The nut should slope down toward the headstock, not toward the bridge.
So that 2nd photo you posted, is that with the E string toward the camera ?

[VoxMechanica]

Hi Wokka. Yes, E string closest to camera.

[wokkaboy]

actually Vox the slope of the nut may depend on if its a Fender type (flat headstock) of Gibson type (tapered headstock)
I've forgotten which way the Fender type slope so will check my DB bone nut for my jazz bass when I get home from work and let you know on this thread

[wokkaboy]

Hi Vox, I just asked DB and he said the slope should be toward the headstock. ie high point on fingerboard side and low side toward headstock, so this isn't the case?
Maybe Adam has sent you a left hand nut as DB can't remember sending it to you.
Can you please check the paperwork to see if it says left or right hand ?

[VoxMechanica]

Hi Wokka, the packet says "R/H", but clearly, this is left hander. Perhaps Clarence the cocky (re. the DB bone nut fitting vid) needs to do some performance management with his worker?

[wokkaboy]

ahha no worries Vox. Send Adam an email and he will arrange to post a right hand nut and you may have to mail back the nut you have.
Just wait till I check my nut at home tonight. I asked DB which way it supposed to slope but didn't ask if it sloped down or up toward headstock

[Simon Barden]

Hi Wokka. Yes, E string closest to camera.

Are you sure about that? Because that would make the bone nut correct, but your later comments indicate that the slope is from headstock side (highest) to fretboard side(lowest).

For the bone nut to slope that way and be for a L/H bass, it would have to be the G slot nearest the camera.