I'm going to convert my Orion to BEAD tuning, so I need to file the nut slots a bit wider.  Will regular files do the job on a brass nut???  The cheapest I can find a set of files is close to $100... anybody have a cheaper solution???

When I say regular I mean commercially available nut files (I assume meant for bone/graphite nuts)  ... not a woodworking rasp file!!!

Why don't you get another brass nut just in case you decide to back to standard tuning

Well, that makes more sense.  I've never tried to get anything direct from Alembic... they will do this???  I'd probably need to send in my current nut to be sure all the other measurements are the same.  Actually, I'd love to have adjustable nuts on ALL my other instruments.

They did it for my 5-string Stanley - went from BEADG to EADGC. You are also probably going to need new saddles, and truss rod/bridge height adjustments. I was fortunate in that I was able to have the work done at the mothership.

+1 on the extra nut if you can get one from HQ.  And this would be the time to go adjustable if that's what you ultimately want.  Brass is pretty malleable so if you have some skills, files, and sandpaper you may be able to tweak the fit yourself.  (I don't know how the Orion nut is attached however.)
 
I had a set of nut files from StewMac but have since figured out that I could make more perfect fitting files from a block of wood and an old set of strings.  I literally use an E string to cut the E-string slot.  Results were pretty good, you just need to pay attention to the angle and try to get all the slot depths to match the radius of the first fret.
 
I should also say it helped to have the adjustable / removable nut because I was able to secure it to another chunk of wood while I operated on it.  It would be difficult to do this if it was still mounted to the bass.
 
Jimmy J

I need to change the strings on my 6 string anyway, so I'll try using the old strings as a file (I could also wrap some sandpaper around a smaller gauge string for a little more cutting action if need be).  I'm thinking about having the Orion refinished and chrome plating the hardware, so I could have another nut made at that time.  I'm anxious to see if this BEAD idea will work for me.  Otherwise, the bass NEVER gets any use.

Back in 2001 (think it was, give or take a few years) I waited roughly a year for a nut and tailpiece for my 5 string.. (Was converting it from right hand to lefthand) After a decent pile of emails back and forth the stuff finally arrived, but the nut was just a blank. Which needed to be made to fit by the Norwegian importer, Fotophono.  
They did a very halfassed job about it btw..
 
If you ABSOLUTELY don't need an adjustable nut any decent local guitartech can whip you up a fitted nut made from pretty much any maaterial you like. Unless you like me live close to the north pole.

The old string as a file trick worked (I actually wrapped a thin piece of fine grade sandpaper around it).  I did a complete set-up and, except for some B string rattle on the upper frets, it feels pretty good.  I'll let the neck settle in for a day or two and see if I can get the rattle out.

Yep, that Johnson guy knows a thing or two about basses!

I thought the jokers among us would have a field day with the title of this thread

I thought about it but decided restraint was the most appropriate response.... :-)
 
 
 
Jazzyvee

Two nuts are always better for most things in life

Before I had nut files, I kept on losing my nuts.  Now I know exactly where they are - and in alphabetical order too!
 
Bill, tgo

Almond, Brazil, Cob........
 
:-)
 
Graeme