Altering string spacing??

[BloodRose]

I have a guitar that I really like, HOWEVER... The high E string is pretty close to the edge of the fretboard.
Im thinking this will work, but wanted to double check.. Can I have a new nut put on and have the slot cut alittle further inward to help this issue??

Its not terribly problematic as normally my bends are upward, but if I get hamfisted or try to wiggle the string, I can sometimes pull it off the board..
Its got a stopbar tailpiece and no TOM.. So cant do anything from the back end..
Thanks!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Altering string spacing??

Yas indeed. You can space the strings however you want.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Altering string spacing??

Is it a bolt on?

If so you can align it when bolting the neck on.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Altering string spacing??

no, set neck

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Altering string spacing??

No reason why you can't. New nut should help.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Altering string spacing??

You can also buy replacement saddles for your bridge that do not have nut slots pre-cut. Narrowing the string spacing at the nut does not make as much difference as it does at the bridge.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Altering string spacing??

Yes, although it would be better to have all the strings spaced a bit closer to each other, rather than just move the high E in (If I understood you correctly).

When you say you have a "stop bar tailpiece" do you mean a wraparound, like a Les Paul Junior? If so, the Wilkinson that GFS sells has 1 15/16" string spacing, which might be just a bit narrower spacing than your current bridge, depending on what year you have.
Is it possible your nut is a bit shifted to the high E side? That's even easier to fix.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Altering string spacing??

Dave is correct. Wrap around stop bar. no saddles for adjustment. Just a plain bar too.. (no compensation or anything.) Guitar is a Tokai

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Altering string spacing??

I would do both: replace nut AND bridge. Get an intonatable bridge (individual adjustable saddles) with unslotted saddles, then cut them to your preference.