Fixing a nut slot

Aasinsilta

Aasinsilta

New member
I bought an eight string guitar a few months ago, and the previous owner had put really thick strings for the F# and B strings. The F# was definitely around a 90-100 gauge string, the B probably a 70-75. The B string from the EB 8 string set fits fine, no buzz, but the F# is terrible on the open string, and you can clearly see that it hits down on the first fret. Is there anything I can do to make the slot a little bit smaller so as to cut down on the buzz? It only buzzes on open, and slightly on the first. Getting a new nut is obviously the last option, but that might be a tad difficult because this guitar has a two inch nut width.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

JB Weld epoxy putty. You will need something to reshape the slot, though.

Sent from my chromed robot turd, using the miserable junk code known as crapatalk.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

There are various recipes floating around mixing epoxy with something solid such as baking powder.

Slow-drying superglue works, too, if you just need a film and don't have to sculpture. This has the advantage that it just raises the slot but settles into the same shape the slot had by itself.

Put painter's take on both sides of the nut and on the fretboard and the headplate.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

I'd like to tell you yes, but every time I've tried filling the slot and refiling it, either the patch falls apart from filing or it's less than perfect.

I'd suggest finding a good tech, spending the money, and having him cut a new nut out of a bone blank that's done perfect and even polished to a shine. Your guitar will play perfect, ring out better, and you'll be glad you did it. All for the price of a used Boss pedal.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

I would just have a proper nut installed myself, but baking soda and superglue will work wonders.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

I use C.A. glue and one of the Stew Mac nut slot files. Of course, if you don't have that take it to an experienced luthier.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

A proper nut will be installed at a later date for sure, I was just looking to have a temporary fix for the mean time. I shouldn't have said that last option, poor choice of wording there. Thanks for the input guys, it'll probably have a trip to the shop soon.
 
Re: Fixing a nut slot

Aasinsilta said:
A proper nut will be installed at a later date for sure, I was just looking to have a temporary fix for the mean time. I shouldn't have said that last option, poor choice of wording there. Thanks for the input guys, it'll probably have a trip to the shop soon.
Click to expand...

Here's what StewMac has to say about the baking soda and super glue fix:



The gist of it is, bone nuts can be repaired more easily than plastic. If you've ever tried to glue two pieces of plastic together, even with an epoxy designed for plastic, you know difficult it is to make a strong repair.

But you can file a bit off of an old bone nut and use that in lieu of baking soda too.
 
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