Nut slot depth?

[big_black]

What is a good depth?

The brass nut on my TB copy needs some slight adjustment since I went with heavier strings than what the guitar was originally set up for. I tried to use the ol' sandpaper under the string trick (I've done it many times before with success), but I ended up widening the top of the "D" slot. If I bend up the string pops out. :smack: I'm hoping to try and get away with not having to pay someone to re-cut a new one for me...I was thinking of just getting a single file and lowering it.

Should they all be equal?

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Nut slot depth?

Dan Erlewine suggests a figure of .005-.010" above the height of the first fret over the E & B strings, adding .002" as you go across to the lower strings. Personally I prefer it a little higher than that, but more to avoid accidentally blowing the nut than anything else. A full set of nut files is an investment that is well worth making IMHO, though I realise they aren't exactly cheap - probably cheaper than getting someone to replace a couple of nuts for you though.

>;o))

 

[big_black]

Re: Nut slot depth?

Yeah...I was going to get a few, but at $13 a pop that is a larger investment than I really want to put into this. I'm happy with what I have now and don't plan on buying or building anything else for awhile.

 

[big_black]

Re: Nut slot depth?

Do these look worth the money?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Norman-Guitar-Nut-Files-file-Gauge-System_W0QQitemZ300037914712

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Nut slot depth?

Somebody asked about the Norman files a while ago, but AFAIK nobody that wanted to get a set ever posted a review

 

[theodie]

Re: Nut slot depth?

The depth of the slot should be no deeper than the thickness of the string. Dan Erlewine recomends that the slot be only deep enough that half of the string is in the slot. I tend to agree.
Of course that is the depth at the back of the slot. The front of the slot will of course be deeper unless, the nut has been profiled and shaped very well.