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Aight guys... remember the thread where I said that my MIM was having tuning problems, and that we all deduced that the heavier strings were binding up in the nut slots and causing the tuning problems?

Well I took my guitar to the repair shop and this is the conversation that ensued...

Brendan: Hi there, I'd like to have this nut recut a little bit. I just need the slots widened.

Apprentice: Um, why?

B: Well I recently moved to heavier gauge strings and ever since I've been having tuning problems. I don't use the trem on this and I've got a set of sperzels on there, and the nut's got some graphite in it. This never ever happened when I was using 9's, but now that I'm using 10's I'm having tuning problems and I'm positive that the larger strings are binding in the slots. I had the nut done here with Mark Angus, by the way. (Mark is the master luthier and does amazing work)

A: Well that can't really happen because we use the same size file for every nut we cut.

B: Well I've gone back and forth between gauges every few years a couple times, but not on THIS nut. Besides look at the slots... theres NO clearance in there. It's a pretty tight fit.

A: Lemme see... (takes the guitar) Oh man dude your neck is way bowed. Look at that there's like a 32nd of an inch of relief or so.

B: Well I know how to set up all my own guitars perfectly well and according to Dan Erlewine's book an electric's neck is supposed to have some relief if you want low, even action across the board. It's not supposed to be perfectly straight. The relief and the action are just fine, thats the way I've always had them set.

A: Well even so a little bit of bow can cause tuning problems.

B: But I've never HAD tuning problems before...

A: Your intonation could use a check, too. It's all out of tune, but that could've happened on the ride over here cuz of the heat changes and stuff.

B: *getting impatient* Did I not just tell you three times I've been having tuning problems?

A: (Tunes guitar quickly) Well there it's fine now. The high e's a little off but its set up pretty good.

B: Thanks for the compliment. Look, I'm absolutely POSITIVE that the nut slots need to be widened. How much can you do that for?

A: Well the guitar's setup looks good... and the nut isn't the problem i know that much. Maybe you just got a bum set of strings?

B: Can I please speak to Mark?

A: He's not in today.

B: Well I'll try returning the guitar to a 9-gauge set and if that doesn't work, you'll be hearing from me. Have a good day. (walks out)

That was about 3 days ago. Tonight i was restringing my guitar and taking the opportunity to put on some Graphtech saddles when i noticed something odd setting the action. The A string buzzes like a beehive no matter how high i set the saddle. All the other ones are nice and low but this one just won't stop buzzing. I checked the slot with a feeler guage and the slot is just low enough to cause terminal buzzing. All the other ones are the exact same height within a few thousandths of an inch.

This did NOT happen before when was using 9's. My theory is that the binding and slipping string (that was too big for the nut slot) wore down this particular slot. Why it didn't happen to the others, I dunno. Perhaps it was a weak spot in the bone. But in any case it didn't happen before i switched to 10's and all the other saddles are a-ok.

some some questions:

1) How do I learn to cut nuts by myself? Where can I buy blanks and tools?

2) Should i use a harder synthetic material instead of bone, like Corian or Tusq?

3) What do I do regarding that guy at the shop?

Thanks for reading.

Jude Law knows a lot about nuts.


Originally Posted by ankalarJude Law knows a lot about nuts.

Oh yes I forgot to mention this dude at the shop looked like a drunken, missheveled, unshaven Jude Law.

I can't answer #2 for you but I can provide some answers to 1 and 3

1) How do I learn to cut nuts by myself? Where can I buy blanks and tools?

I believe there are a number of books on the subject. Stew Mac stocks both tools, books and blank nuts. I believe Luthiers Mercantile International has some of this stuff as well.

3) What do I do regarding that guy at the shop?

You have experience with their better Luthier tech named Mark? Try and talk to the store Manager to find out Mark's hours. Then you can go directly to Mark (who unlike dimwit over there, sounds like he has a good customer relationship with you). Also make sure to voice your concerns about the apprentice to Mark, and make it clear that you never want the apprentice to work on your guitar. Also talk to Mark about what goes into slotting a nut. I talk and get tips from my tech all the time.

Just a wee bit of advice

I wouldn't worry too much about switching the material.You just had a touch of bad luck,crappy-but it happens.
The Erlewine book is definatley the place to start for information.As for materials-if you are working at GC you should be able to order them from any of your wholesalers.Also take a browse through th parts counter,start at the back,(most consumers just want the obvious stuff knobs,caps,covers etc.).
Jewlers supply places and hobby shops may provide a local and cheaper alternative to lutherie houses,(between you nd me most of the stuff is the same just repackaged).
As for monkeyspank there,he is an apprentice-so he is learning,(I'm constantly at mine about adjusting Strat saddles to seat flat and not arching them to the neck radius ).But you could do the world a favour and remove the seal from his microwave so he gets sterilized and dosen't reproduce.

Check out this article on the Stew-Mac site. Also, they sell all the stuff, but most of thier tools are pricey...like John John said, you can probably find similar stuff cheaper.

from : localhost/www.stewmac.com/nuts

So typical. I will never take my guitar to a shop to fix something where they know less than I do about how the guitar should be set up and work.

I do all my own setups now because of idiots like in that store.

Here's a tip that will help you...go to a welding supply store or a large hardware store (or find one online) and spend $5 on a set of Wypo welding torch tip cleaners (the master set with 22 files.) These are basically round bottom files that are gauged between 6 and 45. I'm not sure I'd want to cut a new nut from scratch with them, but they work very well for widening or deepening existing slots. Much better than spending $90 on a set of gauged nut slotting files which are essentially the same thing. If you're just widening the slots, you should be able to do it yourself no problem.

Ryan

Cutting slots isn't that hard and everyone who posted before me gave yo very good advice.

Just one thing though: If you will be switching guages often, using your trem, or don't want to worry about maintaining your nuts (rimshot, please :P), I'd look into the LSR Roller nut.

Keep in mind, you will have to modify your fingerboard, but tuning will be much better, it accomodates string guages from .08 to .56, and there is not maintenance involved (aside from cleaning it with a dry toothbrush from time to time).