i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

stevie ray

stevie ray

New member
i think ive come to the believe that my nut is no good.. I have a fender MIM standard strat, and tho overall the build is nice, tho i never trusted the nut, in that it looked quite cheap. i didn't think it really effected the guitars playability initially.




here are the symptoms ive found:

-higher strings (g,b,e) make a 'ping' sound when tuned up or down during restringing

-higher strings must be gently pulled out of the nut when restringing (they rest in the nut otherwise)

-upon close examination, the overall cut of the nut seems somewhat imperfect

-tends to go mildly out of tune after a bit of string bending or tremelo usage, occasionally






Might be some other things, not sure. After reading this, it seems even more obvious. I know its a plastic nut

what would you guys recommend me to do? New nut? file the nut? think im nuts? Also, how would a new nut (depending on its type) effect the guitar in terms of tone, action and intonation? wat brands would you recommend for a strat? self installation or no?

thanks guys i need to kno what you seasoned pros think!:banana:
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

Sounds like it needs filling if the strings are being impeded then you tune
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

Yup. An easy, quick remedy is to remove a string, then use it to file out the slot. A better way would be to search for Gearjoneser's method involving sandpaper.
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

Personally, I think it's a huge mistake for mid to high end
(Fender, Gibson) to use Plastic nuts. The wear too easily, rob tone. You could have your current nut filed correctly, but if it was mine I'd change it to any othe rmatial- bone, graphite, corian, Tusq
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

http://www.graphtech.com/

this Company makes graghite nuts and saddles. These 2 mods should improve your guitars tuning stability. The graphite will allow the strings to slide through the nut slote easier and the saddles will eliminate 98% of string breakage. Another option would be to install locking tuning machines. These 3 adjustments will keep your guitar in tune when using the whammy!
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

I'de suggest finding a competent luthier (or a real good repair guy) and having him install a bone nut. Just from what you've described, its kinda easy to see what the problem is. I'm guessing when you got the guitar, you started putting your favorite strings on there? Just like everyone else does, haha.
Now chances are that the strings your useing are a bigger gauge than what fender puts on they're guitars stock (they use 9-42 FYI). They also cut the nut to work with that gauge. If your useing heavier strings, the slots won't be wide enough, and will get pinched by the slot.
Them being pinched by the slot, is what's causeing them to make that "ping" noise when you tighten the string. Sometimes they'll get caught in the slot well enough that after a bend or a turn of the tuner, it gets pulled, pinched, and then doesn't pop back out. So it sounds as like its outta tune.

You COULD do like JB said, and do the sandpaper thing...

Basically you'de just get some really fine grit sandpaper. Lift the string out of the slot, pull the sand paper under-neith the string, and then fold it over. So that the sand paper is under the string, following the shape/size of the string.
Then simply pull the sand paper through the nut slot a few times, Letting the pressure from the strings push it on the the slot. That will widen the slot enough that whatever gauge of strings you use will fit nicely, and not get caught up in the slot. Really easy thing to do, sort of.

So you could do that....but....

If your not extremely careful, you could end up DEEPENING the slot. Which could result in alot of Buzzing on open strings, or possibly lowering it enough that It actually ends up fully hitting the 1st fret. And you could just end up with more problems than you had before, unless your very careful.


Which is why I'de still suggest getting a new bone nut installed by a professional.

Personally even if I'm not having any issues with the nut on a guitar, one of the first things I do is install a bone nut (if it doesn't have one already). The improvement in tuneing stability, and tone of the open strings is Massive. A well cut bone nut is one of the biggest improvements you can make to a mid-level guitar. (IMO of course)
If you've never attempted cutting a nut yourself, then I'de suggest just having a good luthier, or tech Do it for you. It's alot harder than it would seem. Its not something I would suggest you do yourself on a guitar you plan on useing alot. Takes alot of practice to cut a nut perfectly. Replaceing a baddly cut nut, with another baddly cut nut doesn't really make much sense. ya know?
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

never, keep the stock plastic nut.
swap it out with a bone, or graphtech nut.
buy a few, because if its you first file job, you will more than likely blow your nut.
buy some files too. its a good skill to learn and files are good to have.
soon, your friends will have you work on their....erm..guitars.
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

my friends suggested the same thing. it seems the consensus here is that a better nut is a the best way to go... Willl a graphite or bone nut really make such a big difference in tone?(in the open position, obviously)
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

make a new one, or sand the one you've got
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

stevie ray said:
my friends suggested the same thing. it seems the consensus here is that a better nut is a the best way to go... Willl a graphite or bone nut really make such a big difference in tone?(in the open position, obviously)
Click to expand...

??:feedback:??
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

stevie ray said:
my friends suggested the same thing. it seems the consensus here is that a better nut is a the best way to go... Willl a graphite or bone nut really make such a big difference in tone?(in the open position, obviously)
Click to expand...

I have graphite nuts on a few of my guitars and I can't really hear much of a difference. Graphite will make tuning maore stable and on a Strat if you are using the whammy a lot it will definately stay in tune better. If you want to make it really stable, put graphite saddles and locking tuners in also. I should point out that doing these mods are not always necessary. Sometimes just a good nut will solve the problem. On some guitars the tuners will make a big difference. In my case I elected to all on one of my Strats. It stays in tune better than the others and I never break strings on my guitars that have graphite saddles.
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

If the strings are "pinging", the nut slot is a little too tight. Just (very carefully) file it a bit wider and put some pencil lead or some other lubricant in all the slots.
 
Re: i think i need a new nut... your recommendations?

Bludave said:
I have graphite nuts on a few of my guitars and I can't really hear much of a difference. Graphite will make tuning maore stable and on a Strat if you are using the whammy a lot it will definately stay in tune better. If you want to make it really stable, put graphite saddles and locking tuners in also. I should point out that doing these mods are not always necessary. Sometimes just a good nut will solve the problem. On some guitars the tuners will make a big difference. In my case I elected to all on one of my Strats. It stays in tune better than the others and I never break strings on my guitars that have graphite saddles.
Click to expand...

thanx!!
 
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