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Dakota
New member
I need very small files for my nut. I've been looking all over, and I can't seem to find any that will work.
philboyd studge
New member
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Dakota
New member
Cool site! Thanks!
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Dakota
New member
OK. I found the files. Now I'm wondering what sizes I need. I assume that for a .010 string, i need a slot slightly larger. Would .012 be an appropriate size? Is there a chart somewhere that has all the string sizes on it and the correct slot size?
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Bass Freak
New member
try ebay....
freak
freak
C
Clive Hugh
New member
If you go back to the Stewmac site you will find they have a starter kit which has several of the most useful sizes, you don't need an exact file for each string, one will do several, it's in the application.
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Dakota
New member
Right, I saw the starter set. They also sell files individually by gauge. I'd still like to know what gauge file to use for a given string gauge if anyone knows. Thanks in advance.
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Dakota
New member
Anyone?
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Clive Hugh
New member
As I said it is in your technique, believe it or not filing is an art if done properly.
As an apprentice I thought my foreman was the biggest barstard unhung when he made us file a square block to fit in a square hole with no more than .002" clearance.
As a tradesman 40 years later he was a barstard but it taught me how to file properly.
What you do is get the file closest to the particular gauge you are using and cut to depth using a depth set such as feeler gauges stacked up on the fret board to give the proper height.
For width cut in a figure 8 motion, you need a small clearance, a few thou' will do, you have a good leeway as you can usually go up from .009 to .011 without having to widen.
One other thing, don't have the cut too deep. By that I mean the depth should be shallow, if it is too deep it will be able to bind on the sides, the depth usually reckoned to be best is just over half the diameter of the string, all it has to do is locate and stop it popping out.
Have a go but it's hard to put back once you have removed it.
Go slowly, and remember that most guitar repair people get 70% - 90% of our repairs from people who have tried to do it themselves without putting a lot of thought in first.
As an apprentice I thought my foreman was the biggest barstard unhung when he made us file a square block to fit in a square hole with no more than .002" clearance.
As a tradesman 40 years later he was a barstard but it taught me how to file properly.
What you do is get the file closest to the particular gauge you are using and cut to depth using a depth set such as feeler gauges stacked up on the fret board to give the proper height.
For width cut in a figure 8 motion, you need a small clearance, a few thou' will do, you have a good leeway as you can usually go up from .009 to .011 without having to widen.
One other thing, don't have the cut too deep. By that I mean the depth should be shallow, if it is too deep it will be able to bind on the sides, the depth usually reckoned to be best is just over half the diameter of the string, all it has to do is locate and stop it popping out.
Have a go but it's hard to put back once you have removed it.
Go slowly, and remember that most guitar repair people get 70% - 90% of our repairs from people who have tried to do it themselves without putting a lot of thought in first.
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Dakota
New member
Thanks Clive. Hopefully I'll get it right myself! When I was first learning to play, I lowered the nut action by taking the nut off and filing the bottom, and I filed to much. I ended up taking it in to be done right. So I will be going slow, and using the feeler gauges.
Thanks for the tips!!!
Thanks for the tips!!!