a question about nut height

[tone4days]

i think that the nut height on my new tokai '52 tele might be a bit too high, resulting in a stiff action ... this might sound crazy, but i cant find in either of my dan erlewine books the exact method for measuring nut height .. he makes it clear that you should measure it in the 'playing ' position (not laying on a table or propped up under the headstock) ... but i am not sure what to measure ... is it from the base (where the nut touches the fingerboard) to the bottom of the string slot?

also, i assume that saddle height also contributes to a stiff action, so i'll be tweeking on that end too ... i know that i have to match the curvature of the fretboard radius ... any tips on how best to do this with a 3 saddle bridge?

thanks for any tips

cheers
t4d

 

[Scott_F]

Re: a question about nut height

for me, it depends on how cold the water is.....


(sorry, I could not help myself)

 

[Curly]

Re: a question about nut height

t4d,
nut height doesn't contribute to "stiffness" .. that's a result of relief and saddle height

I think the ballpark measurement is ... press the string at the 3rd fret, and it should just clear the 2nd fret without touching it

I used to have a very good tutorial on my links page for cutting a nut, but saddly, it's a dead link now :sad:

 

[tone4days]

Re: a question about nut height

thanks curly

yeah, erlewine talks about fretting the third fret and using tiny feeler gauges to make sure the string isnt touching the first fret

will see

cheers
t4d

 

[Curly]

Re: a question about nut height

t4d,
well, the best tutorial I saw had the actual measurement you could use, but I can't find it any more.

I found that when cutting the nut, you could use different coins for guides when filing down, going from a nickel to a penny to a dime. You lay the coin down on the fretboard, and use it as a "stop" - the point being to not file deeper than the last coin, or else you'll find yourself starting from scratch! :sad:

I found the coin method worked better than feeler gauges.

 

[tone4days]

Re: a question about nut height

wow, what a useful tip !!!! ... thanks
t4d

 

[texasguitarslinger]

Re: a question about nut height

for me, it depends on how cold the water is.....


(sorry, I could not help myself)

LOL :laugh2: