PDP
There once was a note
I need to lower the strings on a Strat copy I have, (I assume its a plastic nut) Is there a set of files you can purchase? How do you cut a .10 gauge slot? is there a file that small?
ranjam
New member
If it's plastic, you should step up to bone. Better tone, and easier to work. The plastic nut is usually seen on ¢heap guitars, and the plastic will almost always have a burr after, breaking strings all over the place.
This is where you can learn to do some work yourself, and $ave a buck or two. But be careful. You may be screwing up a perfectly good guitar. Rather than a .010 file, you usually use a saw. STEWMAC.COM : Gauged Saws
I hate sounding like an asshole (sometimes), but if you have to ask, you may be a little too green, and you might wreck your guitar. Are you sure you need to lower the strings? If so, find some real crap guitar and practice away before you do damage to your 'good' guitar. I know it's $50, but STEWMAC.COM : Dan Erlewine's Nut Making Step-By-Step could save you time, headaches, and the feeling of biting off more than you can chew. Do some work for a few friends and make the money back after one job!
This is where you can learn to do some work yourself, and $ave a buck or two. But be careful. You may be screwing up a perfectly good guitar. Rather than a .010 file, you usually use a saw. STEWMAC.COM : Gauged Saws
I hate sounding like an asshole (sometimes), but if you have to ask, you may be a little too green, and you might wreck your guitar. Are you sure you need to lower the strings? If so, find some real crap guitar and practice away before you do damage to your 'good' guitar. I know it's $50, but STEWMAC.COM : Dan Erlewine's Nut Making Step-By-Step could save you time, headaches, and the feeling of biting off more than you can chew. Do some work for a few friends and make the money back after one job!
PDP
There once was a note
Its not being an A-H at all, I totally get what your sayin. Its not my main guitar its a third, but I use it sometimes for the pickups in it. The top three strings are just too high at the nut, so thanks for the thoughtful reply. I'll look into what you suggested.
Pete
Pete
D
dervish riff
New member
A set of jeweler's files and an X-Atco saw blade will cut a nut slot just fine--just cut a little bit at a time and check it as you go. You can spend a lot of money on books and tools, but the technique is the same--cut and file a little, then pull the string back into the slot and see if the action's where you want it. If you go too far, you can fill it with sanding dust and super glue and touch it back up.
D
dervish riff
New member
A set of jeweler's files and an X-Atco saw blade will cut a nut slot just fine--just cut a little bit at a time and check it as you go. You can spend a lot of money on books and tools, but the technique is the same--cut and file a little, then pull the string back into the slot and see if the action's where you want it. If you go too far, you can fill it with sanding dust and super glue and touch it back up.
Milnoque
Resident Curmudgeon
To answer your original question, yes you can get a set of files designed for your purpose. Try Luthier's Merchantile (Nut & Saddle Files - Information and Pricing at LMI) Or Stewart Macdonald (STEWMAC.COM : Gauged Nut Slotting Files). There used to be someone selling them on e-bay as well.
Work carefully and avoid the super glue and dust solution. It's a poor substitute for doing it right.
I always encourage people who are interested in trying minor setup/repairs on their instruments to get a book on the subject and read it through. The fact is that everyone who plays an instrument would benefit from doing this. Books on the subject are available at the above sites.
Work carefully and avoid the super glue and dust solution. It's a poor substitute for doing it right.
I always encourage people who are interested in trying minor setup/repairs on their instruments to get a book on the subject and read it through. The fact is that everyone who plays an instrument would benefit from doing this. Books on the subject are available at the above sites.
muttley600
Banned
Cutting a nut is not rocket science but it does require a fair bit of practice and accuracy to get it right. You can get by with needle files and a few fine saw blades and some home made nut files but a set of purpose made files is pretty much essential for a professional job.
The good thing about attempting this yourself is that as long as you remove the old nut carefully you can't really screw anything up more than it is already.
A few thing to keep in mind and a few tips.
A new nut will not improve tone except a little on the open open strings.
Carefully score the existing joint of neck and nut with a sharp blade to stop break out when removing the old nut.
Use a pencil that has been planed flat on one side to mark the height of the frets on the new nut by resting it on the frets.
File the nut to shape just above this line.
The string spacing is critical and the gaps between strings should be equal not the centres.
The depth of the slot should be just a touch above the height of the first fret or equal to it.
The slots should be very slightly wider than the string and be sunk about half to two thirds the string diametre for wound strings. Plain strings should finish flush with the top of the nut.
The string should make contact with the entire surface of the nut and have a smooth break towards the tuner post.
Order of work.
Fit the new nut blank snug in the slot and mark the fret height.
Mark the string positions to leave an equal gap between strings. You can do this with the strings in place and taught but not tuned up.
Remove the nut and file to a milimetre or 2 above the line and rough cut the slots but not too deep.
Replace the nut and start deepening the slots carefully to get the strings at the right height. Once they are at the correct height remove the nut again and file the top on the nut to get the string slots the correct depth in relation to the strings.
Polish the top and back of the nut with fine grit sand paper (work from 400 - 1000 grit)
Glue the nut in place with a single drop of superglue and string up.
Check the slot depth and get them as close to the first fret height without them buzzing.
The good thing about attempting this yourself is that as long as you remove the old nut carefully you can't really screw anything up more than it is already.
A few thing to keep in mind and a few tips.
A new nut will not improve tone except a little on the open open strings.
Carefully score the existing joint of neck and nut with a sharp blade to stop break out when removing the old nut.
Use a pencil that has been planed flat on one side to mark the height of the frets on the new nut by resting it on the frets.
File the nut to shape just above this line.
The string spacing is critical and the gaps between strings should be equal not the centres.
The depth of the slot should be just a touch above the height of the first fret or equal to it.
The slots should be very slightly wider than the string and be sunk about half to two thirds the string diametre for wound strings. Plain strings should finish flush with the top of the nut.
The string should make contact with the entire surface of the nut and have a smooth break towards the tuner post.
Order of work.
Fit the new nut blank snug in the slot and mark the fret height.
Mark the string positions to leave an equal gap between strings. You can do this with the strings in place and taught but not tuned up.
Remove the nut and file to a milimetre or 2 above the line and rough cut the slots but not too deep.
Replace the nut and start deepening the slots carefully to get the strings at the right height. Once they are at the correct height remove the nut again and file the top on the nut to get the string slots the correct depth in relation to the strings.
Polish the top and back of the nut with fine grit sand paper (work from 400 - 1000 grit)
Glue the nut in place with a single drop of superglue and string up.
Check the slot depth and get them as close to the first fret height without them buzzing.
legionserial
New member
I'm actually thinking of doing the same thing with one of my guitars. I don't really want to replace the nut though. Not myself anyway, but I'm willing to have a go at deepening the grooves. Is this not considered a good idea?
muttley600
Banned
It wont do any harm to cut a new one from scratch. At least that way you have the old one to go back to if you cut them too deep on your first shot at it. Nut blans are cheap as chips. If you let me know what guitar I can stick one in the post to you as an early birthday prezzie.
ranjam
New member
I was never afraid to screw up my own gear, and this goes way back before books and the Internet. I have screwed up some perfectly good vintage guitars, and I say that without any embarrassment. It's how you learn. You can read all the books about learning to swim, and watch 1,000 DVD's on proper technique, but until you jump in the water, you'll never know if you can do it. And if you can butter toast without you ending up in Intensive Care, you can file a nut for your guitar. Watch the angle you use (you don't file any nut slot perfectly horizontal). Too steep, and you gouge the peghead. Watch your spacing. Go slow, and you'll be fine. The baking soda/Crazy Glue filler is OK, but bone blanks aren't that expensive. If you blow one, just start fresh. Save $50 and watch a lot of online tutorials if money is tight.
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsKdI-bUttA"
It's just one that I can find in a hurry.
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsKdI-bUttA"
It's just one that I can find in a hurry.
Sky Blue Lou
Well-known member
I prefer to keep luthiers employed.
lou
lou
S
stevieb
Just another guy, really.
I second Muttley's post (I actually like the guy, in spite of tit-for-tats you may have seen- I am just digging around, trying to find his sense of humor- I SWEAR, it's gotta be around SOMEWHERE... 
) and I think he's a stand-up guy for offering to send you a bland to practice on.
I once filed a nut from a blank, just because I needed one, was feeling cheap,and had a job that afforded me LOTS of waiting around time. First time I ever did that sort of thing, and it came out just fine. I cut the string slots with a set of small files I have.
Good luck.
) and I think he's a stand-up guy for offering to send you a bland to practice on.I once filed a nut from a blank, just because I needed one, was feeling cheap,and had a job that afforded me LOTS of waiting around time. First time I ever did that sort of thing, and it came out just fine. I cut the string slots with a set of small files I have.
Good luck.
ranjam
New member
As do I; for the 'big' jobs. I hate waiting weeks or months for a fret job, because my luthier is doing twenty 'candy ass' jobs a day like changing strings for lazy people.
T
tom18222
yes
just be careful...i heard its really easy to bust a nut.
ha.
ha.
legionserial
New member
It wont do any harm to cut a new one from scratch. At least that way you have the old one to go back to if you cut them too deep on your first shot at it. Nut blans are cheap as chips. If you let me know what guitar I can stick one in the post to you as an early birthday prezzie.
Wow really? That'd be sweet dude. It's nothing flashy just an Epiphone Les Paul Custom.
muttley600
Banned
I second Muttley's post (I actually like the guy, in spite of tit-for-tats you may have seen- I am just digging around, trying to find his sense of humor- I SWEAR, it's gotta be around SOMEWHERE...
You want to find my sense of humour check me in the cave, It's pretty warped..
muttley600
Banned
Wow really? That'd be sweet dude. It's nothing flashy just an Epiphone Les Paul Custom.
PM me a postal address and I'll dig out a few bone blanks. In the new year I'll try and post a walk through with pics as this gets asked here a lot.
legionserial
New member
Cheers dude
I'll PM you when I'm finished at work. My PM text box on the crappy browser here is a long vertical thing with about 2 characters per line.
