I went a whisker low on the 2nd (A) string at the nut on this tenor banjo. A skinny slip of paper works perfectly well but I need to fix it or replace it before it goes to its new home. So obviously I’m looking for the simplest solution. Thanks. Marty.
Super glue works in bone nuts, why not brass? I have had success in building a dam with tape and carefully injecting some superglue into the slot. Let is cure for at least 24 hours and then re-cut. Stew-Mac sells clear glue with micro tips that work great for injecting glue into tight places.
I think I’d make som brass dust with sandpaper, pack it in the slot and then saturate with CA.
How about a thin brass shim under the nut and cut the other three slightly?
I’ve done the old bicarbonate of soda & superglue a few times to build up cheap plastic nuts. So I’ll have a go at brass flakes & superglue. Due to the nature of it being headless the string doesn’t move at all in the slot. I was inclined to try an epoxy mix but because it’s so fine the whole lot may come out when I re-file the groove.
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Originally posted by lightgaugeHow about a thin brass shim under the nut and cut the other three slightly?
I have shimmed a bone nut on a guitar and it works fine. With brass I suggest making a thin wood shim (the neck is wood after all) and recut the nut. In the case of your photos it appears that you could reposition the brass. Possibly fill the screw holes and then re-drill, or elongate the holes in the brass and make the nut adjustable.
Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 05/21/2022 04:53:19
I would try to fill it with metal and some super glue. A few strands of copper wire from a piece of stranded electrical wire, packed in there with super glue ought to work.
Of course, the real fix is to take out the nut, clean and braze the slot and recut it to the proper depth.
Usually, simplest isn't best, remake it correctly.
If it was your personal instrument, you can get brass shim stock the same thickness as the paper.
Silver solder will do well and carefully done, will be hidden beneath the string after re-filing.
Alternatively, assuming you cut the nut slots on a taper, you could reduce the nut thickness (from the front) and regain some height...recut the rest of the slots.
Also, a little ball-pein hammer work can stretch the brass and gain back some height. It looks like you could do that in the hidden areas facing the neck.
Best: replace it.
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Originally posted by trapdoor2Alternatively, assuming you cut the nut slots on a taper, you could reduce the nut thickness (from the front) and regain some height...recut the rest of the slots.
Sorry, that one is wrong/backwards. My native dys...something showing up again. 
JB WEld
Superglue and baking soda. It sets up quick, is easy and fast to prepare, will adhere to brass and hard as woodpecker lips when cured. It literally can be a temperary/permanent fix. Done it myself..works great. As above mentioned, JB weld would work too but cure time is much longer.
Edited by - 81goldstar on 05/21/2022 13:26:48
If thisis someone else's banjo, do the job right and replace the nut. The owner may see a repair, and suddenly, BAD REPUTATION.
Silver solder the groove higher than needed and file a new slot. It should outwear any plastic fill material.
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Originally posted by G Edward PorgieIf thisis someone else's banjo, do the job right and replace the nut. The owner may see a repair, and suddenly, BAD REPUTATION.
I actually remain the owner of this particular banjo. It is going to a local player a former junior national champion of Irish trad banjo. It's effectively his to play & over time we'll be swapping head types & thickness & so on... it currently has a 2 ply 14mil clear Remo emporer drum head with artwork printed on it.
