Ayrton
New member
Re: What to do with that Stratocaster body?
Finishing a nut is as particular for some as string choice. I like Tusq most of the time, but for something like this a bone nut seems more "correct".
I have one of these from Stew Mac and it is great, but for those who might not need such a tool, here is how I do it (which is to say that it may not be how someone else does it).
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...Saddles/Safe_Slot_Nut_Guard_Complete_Set.html
I mark off the excess that can be ground off. The ruler just rests on top of the frets and mark with a pencil. Don't press the ruler down so you have a margin for error.
The neck width is 1-11/16" (vs vintage 1-5/8") Remember those heavy bevels? Putting the two E strings 1/8" from the edge will give me an E to E center width of 1.416" and still keep me from falling off the edge.
Working on guitars will necessitate some tool purchases. Nut files can be purpose made or even feeler gauges with teeth cut into them. I bought mine years ago and have more than paid off.
I use the finest edge to just cut a groove to align the strings. Only has to be deep enough to hold the string. You just want to finalize your spacing.
I use compensated spacing to account for string thickness. The Stew Mac ruler makes it easy. You will need a .03 pencil to fit into the slots.
Mark and notch like the E strings. Now is the time to double check that your spacing is correct and make any changes. Once you start dropping the slots, only minor alignments can be made.
Finishing a nut is as particular for some as string choice. I like Tusq most of the time, but for something like this a bone nut seems more "correct".
I have one of these from Stew Mac and it is great, but for those who might not need such a tool, here is how I do it (which is to say that it may not be how someone else does it).
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...Saddles/Safe_Slot_Nut_Guard_Complete_Set.html
I mark off the excess that can be ground off. The ruler just rests on top of the frets and mark with a pencil. Don't press the ruler down so you have a margin for error.
The neck width is 1-11/16" (vs vintage 1-5/8") Remember those heavy bevels? Putting the two E strings 1/8" from the edge will give me an E to E center width of 1.416" and still keep me from falling off the edge.
Working on guitars will necessitate some tool purchases. Nut files can be purpose made or even feeler gauges with teeth cut into them. I bought mine years ago and have more than paid off.
I use the finest edge to just cut a groove to align the strings. Only has to be deep enough to hold the string. You just want to finalize your spacing.
I use compensated spacing to account for string thickness. The Stew Mac ruler makes it easy. You will need a .03 pencil to fit into the slots.
Mark and notch like the E strings. Now is the time to double check that your spacing is correct and make any changes. Once you start dropping the slots, only minor alignments can be made.
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