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Hi,
While taking the strings off my fretless Fender jazz bass, I noticed there are grooves dug in behind the nut. Is this normal or should I be alarmed? The grooves are not on the playing surface of the fingerboard. Do I need a new nut?

Link to photo:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mNwd4u8ZCZWhiSuQ7

Thank you for your help!

Those grooves appear to be a modification done by a previous owner when he/she cut the nut string slots lower.

Lots of standup basses have similar grooves, provides a better break angle and downward pressure on the nut. Also helps with eliminating kinks in the string due to sharp break angle. Nothing to worry about.

How does the bass play? Are you able to adjust the neck so that is nearly straight and get a nice Mwah?