I hate my nut

[80's_Metal]

Got this amazing Dean V guitar with just about everything I ever wanted.... sounds amazing, plays amazing, looks amazing.... but the nut is some soft kind of plastic or some **** I can't friggin stand it! It actually barely holds the strings in! If I go first 3 or 4 frets and bend the G-string it will pop the string off the damn nut!

Question, Do I try to file it out enough to save it, or just dish out the cash I don't have to have a new one professionally installed? How much will that cost me?

 

[jbear]

Re: I hate my nut

Got this amazing Dean V guitar with just about everything I ever wanted.... sounds amazing, plays amazing, looks amazing.... but the nut is some soft kind of plastic or some **** I can't friggin stand it! It actually barely holds the strings in! If I go first 3 or 4 frets and bend the G-string it will pop the string off the damn nut!

Question, Do I try to file it out enough to save it, or just dish out the cash I don't have to have a new one professionally installed? How much will that cost me?

You have nothing to lose by filing it. If you still don't care for it...probably $30-$40 to have one installed, which is really worth if if yours is that poor.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: I hate my nut

I'm getting out small files and a hacksaw right now....... I assume if I get too much buzzing then I've gone too far.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: I hate my nut

Going too far can cause problems with intonation, as well -- especially in the lower frets. If you do cut a slot too deep, you might be able to shim the nut and have another go at it.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: I hate my nut

If you do cut a slot too deep, you might be able to shim the nut and have another go at it.

Or build the bottom of the slot up with superglue and try again.

 

[Bfeeney]

Re: I hate my nut

If it is a crappy plastic nut why don't you just save yourself time and headaches and install a Graphtech? I have them on all my guitars and never had any problems.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: I hate my nut

I took a very small file and dug it out a bit, it seems to be holding the string much better now. I haven't really wailed on it yet, but it may do for now.

I may just take it an hour away to the shop when I find some cash.

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: I hate my nut

What gauge strings are you using? It sounds like you're using fatter strings than the nut was slotted for. A tad deeper and wider might help it hold the strings.

 

[MisterE]

Re: I hate my nut

If it is a crappy plastic nut why don't you just save yourself time and headaches and install a Graphtech? I have them on all my guitars and never had any problems.

+1 on this but if you have no experience take it to a Luthier, you'll pay less than $50.00 and well worth it.

 

[sstanfield]

Re: I hate my nut

Have you tried Custom Sound in Flagstaff? Ryan is a very skilled luthier and reasonably priced. His shop is in the corner of the parking lot at Beaver Street Brewery.

 

[constant mesh]

Re: I hate my nut

The slots aren't deep enough, that's for sure, but have you checked your nut action first before you deepen the slots? It might be that it's spot on, only the top of the nut was filed off too severely.

If you have a tech at hand, go for that, because fitting a preslotted nut is always a slight compromise.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: I hate my nut

yep. the nut on my Dean ML was terrible. a couple slots needed built up and a couple in the middle were too shallow and where the strings crossed the nut they were sharply pulled to the side to go to the sides of that big ole V headstock and they used to pop out when Id bend hard. had to get the nut repaired and was groovy afterwards..

just be careful when working with that plastic so you dont bust a nut.... :eyecrazy: sorry, had to say it..

 

[LesStrat]

Re: I hate my nut

That took some balls.

 

[Aceman]

Re: I hate my nut

The correct answer:

SIncew you are willing to get a new one,

a) Take the opportunity to try the work yourself. No lose situation. If it works, you win and you learn

b) If it fails, you learn and spend the money you were willing to spend anyway....

I got a Bone nut put on my Caddy (with my PG/ Custom PG)

 

[stringbender11]

Re: I hate my nut

If it is a crappy plastic nut why don't you just save yourself time and headaches and install a Graphtech? I have them on all my guitars and never had any problems.

^me too^. I put pre-slotted Graphtechs on all my guitars as soon as I get them. They're cheap, require little modification, and work fantastic. In fact they're the most bang for your buck change you can make on a guitar, imo.

 

[Bludave]

Re: I hate my nut

rather then using files you could use an old "D" string and just run it back and fourth trhu the slot to open it up & cut it a bit. But realistically just get a a good bone nut and be done with it.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: I hate my nut

Sounds to me like a decent rat tail file would be your best friend.

Honestly man, just invest in having a beautiful new nut installed. It can be whatever material you want and will be gobbs better than what you have now AND your axe will then be perfect for you.

Good luck.

~LD

 

[DankStar]

Re: I hate my nut

is that on the custom V that the dudes on the dean forum got together and ordered up?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: I hate my nut

^me too^. I put pre-slotted Graphtechs on all my guitars as soon as I get them. They're cheap, require little modification, and work fantastic. In fact they're the most bang for your buck change you can make on a guitar, imo.

These precut graphtechs pretty much just glue and go? or is there moding involved? Ive only ever had one nut changed. My squier strat nut pretty much just crumbled and the shop put a bone nut on for me under warranty.