Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

[TimmyPage]

As some of you know, I got a telecaster of my own a little while back. I've been playing it with the stock 9's for a little while now, but I'm accidentally bending all over the place while playing chords and lines so I feel its time to throw some 11's with a wound G on it.

Now the issue is, looking at the nut, the strings are really snugly fit in there so for the first time in my life I'm going to have to file it down slightly.. I just don't have a clue where to start. I don't own a file in any capacity.. so are there any other household tools I can do it with, or any suggested tools I can use for it? Where do I start with this? Any good resources or videos, or just long winded posts on the subject would help me greatly.

 

[John_L]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

Use some sand paper folded over which can do the job on most nuts. You can get sand paper very cheaply from your local hardware store.
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/repair/electric-guitar/nut.php

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

Use some sand paper folded over which can do the job on most nuts. You can get sand paper very cheaply from your local hardware store.
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/repair/electric-guitar/nut.php

That's an advantage of having a dad who does carpentry, I actually have a fair bit of sandpaper here already.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

As some of you know, I got a telecaster of my own a little while back. I've been playing it with the stock 9's for a little while now, but I'm accidentally bending all over the place while playing chords and lines so I feel its time to throw some 11's with a wound G on it.

Now the issue is, looking at the nut, the strings are really snugly fit in there so for the first time in my life I'm going to have to file it down slightly.. I just don't have a clue where to start. I don't own a file in any capacity.. so are there any other household tools I can do it with, or any suggested tools I can use for it? Where do I start with this? Any good resources or videos, or just long winded posts on the subject would help me greatly.

Take the guitar to an experienced luthier. The final outcome will be a lot more worth than the 20-30 bucks he'll ask for, specially if he offers a full setup with it.

FWIW, a set of files cost from $ 60.00 to $ 150.00.

HTH,

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

Take the guitar to an experienced luthier. The final outcome will be a lot more worth than the 20-30 bucks he'll ask for, specially if he offers a full setup with it.

FWIW, a set of files cost from $ 60.00 to $ 150.00.

HTH,

Yeah. My local tech charges about $90, but that includes a new bone nut blank, fitted to the guitar and strings, a full setup, and a set of strings. If you really need this for just one guitar, best to take it to someone.

On the other hand, if you want to learn how to do it, it's one of the most exacting disciplines of luthiery, and it requires the right tools and plenty of practice to get it right. Once you get the tools and learn how to do it, you can feast for a lifetime.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

If you're just wanting to move up a couple string gauges, then I wouldn't bother with a luthier. Here's how I would do it in steps.

1. Fit your new strings on the guitar. Do not tune to pitch and leave enough stretch room to work with.

2. Take some fine grit sand paper and slip it under the string.

3. Work the sand paper back and forth slowly at an angle to maintain the proper break angle. Remember go slowly.

4. Check your work often. It won't take much time to fit the new string gauge. Tune to pitch and look for binding and listen for a plinking noise that a string will make when its binding. Also keep real close attention to the nut slot depth. Go too deep and you'll need a new nut.


That's it, just work slow and check often and you should have your new strings setup in no time. That's only part of it though. You may have to reset your intonation with the heavier strings.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

This is a subject that really interests me, mostly because the nut leaves a LOT to be desired on cheap guitars. Crappy nut jobs have been the source of many intonation problems in my life.

I finally broke down and bought Dan Erlewine's books, but I really need to order a set of nut files to complete the deal. While I'm at it, I should probably just do this:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/S...nd_saddles/Essential_Nut_Making_Tool_Kit.html

It's a bit expensive, at just under $200. But then I am free to make nuts the way I want on my own terms...

 

[uOpt]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

I have not seen a guitar that had nut slots that would actually have a problem with a 011 set. I used a 010-052 set on most guitars for a long time, that's the bass strings from 011.

Just make sure there's graphite in the slots.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

First you have to lure one somewhere**, then hold him down* in order to file them.

*Most guitar nuts are not too physically tough, but you have to be careful about the ones who carry the very heavy Les Pauls . . . they might be able to put up more of a struggle due to all the muscle developed from lugging those things around night after night.

**You will be able to lure the guitar nut virtually anywhere by guaranteeing him some piece of gear that is:
- old (therefore toneful)
- unusual (therefore toneful)

 

[theHAZ]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

Dude - super simple. Check out this page on replacing a guitar nut and you'll be all set.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Teach me how to file a guitar nut.

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for the link to that video. That seemed simple enough.