Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

[Jumanji]

Hi there guys, hope all is well

I would like like to know the following:

I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Firstly I would like to replace the guitars nut; what replacement nut would you suggest.

Secondly I would like to remove the lacquer at the back of the neck for a smooth wood finish would this affect the guitar i any way?

Thirdly I would like to replace my existing fretwire with jumbo (6100) fretwire, any advise with regards to the afore-said?

My style of music: Rock (Foo Fighters, AC/DC, Queen)

Thanks

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

Graphtec nut.

As for fretwire, unless you can do it for sure, just take it to a luthier.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

For the nut.... Bone, Tusq or Corian.

For the neck.....I don't know if it's a good idea to remove the lacquer from the neck, unless you plan to give it a couple of coats of Tru-Oil. Why not take the gloss off the lacquer with steel wool ? That way you can still polish it back to gloss should you ever want to sell it.

Frets ? Nothing wrong with changing to a different fret profile, but just be sure it's being done by someone who will do a great job of it, even if it means spending a few more dollars.

 

[Jumanji]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

Frets ? Nothing wrong with changing to a different fret profile, but just be sure it's being done by someone who will do a great job of it, even if it means spending a few more dollars.

A luthier will be doing it would the jumbo frets have any affect on playing/sound/quality?
Can I use lemon tree oil or teak oil on the neck instead?

 

[Atomic Chameleon]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

If you want a silky finish, almost like raw wood, you can sand the lacquer off and apply a few coats of Birchwood Casey Tru Oil. It would probably affect resale value if you sand off the original finish.

Taller jumbo frets would have a good effect on playability (much easier to dig into strings for pretty much everything, like vibrato, legato, and tapping), and would not affect resale value.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

Everything about bigger frets is a positive IMO.
It forces you to play with a lighter touch which means you're exerting less energy to play, and vibrato becomes a lot easier too.

 

[Jumanji]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

Thanks guys
My Country doesn't stock Birchwood Casey Tru Oil is there an alternative?

Thanks again.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

honestly i don't think you should strip the paint off the back and rather just steel wool it. it'll feel just as good or better as long as you do it right, and you can buff it right out if you ever decide to sell the guitar.

 

[Jumanji]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

Thanks for the advice super rad stuff.

 

[scottish]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

personally i like bone nuts. and +1 to just steel wooling the back of the neck instead of stripping it all the way down.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Lacquer,Fret-wire & Nut Recommendation

How humid is the climate there? If its very humid I would not strip it down to the bare wood. If the climate is arid then it's not so risky. Assuming an arid climate, if you can't get gunstock oil try boiled linseed oil as a sub.