replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

[80's_Metal]

I am pretty handy. Not a Luthier by any means, but all the shops around here are an hour away and booked for the next few weeks..... Thinking I'll just do it my dang self.
Watched a few videos, looks simple enough to sand and shape a new nut. I have the tools.

Here are my best size estimations. Trying to go off of the base not the fancy taper off this nut.

Suggestions on which size nut to buy? Probably going graphtech. Or corian.











Here is one of my issues, digging into cheap plastic nut, plus tone is deadened at this nut.




Thoughts or concerns oh wise ones?

 

[daan]

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

DO they have a "Kitchen remodeling store" or something like it by you? THere was one by my old house, and they GAVE me a big pile of Corian countertop "samples", each big enough to rough out a couple nuts from. You might not get bone-white or plain black, but Corian is Corian no matter what color it is. Plus, free stuff is awesome.
Sometimes HD/Lowes will hand out samples, more likely if you bring a female with you and pretend you're looking at countertops. :laughing:
The other thing to do is go to a butcher shop/anywhere that sells meat (that they cut it there, not just unload packages outta the cooler) and ask for Beef Shin Bones. One bone will get you a bunch of nuts, especially if you need a "weird" (non-Gibson/Fender) shape.

And that Dean is gorgeous!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

I have been enjoying using the abm brass nuts. They have an incredible ring to them and all you need to do is slot the screw heads to match the strings and your done.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

I have been enjoying using the abm brass nuts. They have an incredible ring to them and all you need to do is slot the screw heads to match the strings and your done.

man those are wild! do they glue in and then you adjust the screws out as the height adjustment??

so this would fit it perfectly if I can do math correctly.... http://www.allparts.com/BN-0888-008-Adjustable-Brass-Nut-for-Gibson-Les-Paul_p_795.html

 

[kramersteen]

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

Re: replacement but doing it myself... got a few questions

man those are wild! do they glue in and then you adjust the screws out as the height adjustment??

Yes obviously haha. But yeah bro like i said just slot the screw heads to match your gauge string and your done.



To adjust them i just slide the string off to one side and make the adjustment then slide it back on. Its really easy haha

so this would fit it perfectly if I can do math correctly.... http://www.allparts.com/BN-0888-008-Adjustable-Brass-Nut-for-Gibson-Les-Paul_p_795.html

It should yeah, I work with cm and mm :werd:

 

[DankStar]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

What if the perfect height isn't on the 90 degree axis?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

What if the perfect height isn't on the 90 degree axis?

Um, you taper it on an angle.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

Here is what you want...

http://www.graphtech.com/products/b...d-nut?id=8911d1e7-b6e2-40e5-8eae-952a783bb8af

Save yourself some grief

$13 shipped here (vs $20 list)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/301263973509?lpid=82

 

[Oinkus]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

The most important measurement for getting a pre-slotted Graphtech nut is E to E , the thickness isn't really important and it pays to get it a little taller if you lose some wood when you remove old one. Nut is a different height in the middle that is where you need to measure it and the entire width too. You have so many guitar nuts, how do I figure out which one is right for my guitar?
We probably have a nut that either fits perfectly or is close. The best thing to do is measure your nut for length, thickness, height and, E-E spacing. Pay close attention to the E to E spacing, then check your measurements with the ones on our site. The material is easy to shape so if it's a little longer or higher, so it's no big deal to work it down a little. I use the black Tusq XL personally and have had great success with them , all the info is on the site just read up and pay attention. Measure twice , cut once. When you sand the bottom of it for height place it against something straight(I use a block of Granite ) put the sandpaper on a flat,hard surface too.BTW I charge $25 for a nut install half what the hacks at GC and elsewhere do.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

although I am intrigued by that brass adjuster, it will be too narrow for this guitar, leaving a gap, which will look ugly imho. probably going with Ayrton's suggestion, as it will fit right, and look right with that subtle faded color... should match my binding pretty well.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

Thank you guys for your input.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: replacement nut doing it myself... got a few questions

Too bad you are not closer...

I could swap that out for the cost of beer.