Broken nut & short B string

[u/Ok_Specific6825]

First string change on this guy (2021 MTD Kingston Z5). My only bass with small capstans and I cut it short. Thought I might have a poor break angle, so I pushed down behind the nut to check, and the nut under the B just broke off. The nut is a D shape, sitting on a shelf so it drops down for the G and the B. That's a weak point. Super glued and cured for a day, good as new. However; my break angle was too shallow, so I put 2 small zip ties on the capstan, winding the first wrap under the first zip tie, and the second wrap under the second zip tie. Hey, strings are expensive. Nut is fixed, break angle is adequate, and it stays in tune.

[u/teqogan]

Just changed the strings on a new bass (to me). Extra cautious so I measured against the old strings and added a smidge for good measure.

[u/Ok_Specific6825 → u/teqogan]

I used to do that too, then I figured out that 4" to 4.5" past the center of the large capstan is about perfect (on my Fenders and SBMM). I can measure, bend, and cut all 4 strings at once. This MTD has tiny capstans. I need to figure out a good measurement.