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I just filed my first nut. Right now, 2 of the slots are a little low so I filled them with bone powder and I put some superglue on it. How long does it usually take before I can start filing them again you think?

Ah screw that. It takes 20 minutes.

Right now, the action is quite low, without any buzz. The nut slots are as low as they can be right now (or else they'd touch the 1st fret!). However on the D string there is a noise as I tune up or down the string, due to the height and thickness of the slot (I only had a .26 file, for a .28 string of the .11 set) and the bone residue I put in to fill it up a bit. Will this settle with time? Right now I'm letting the nut dry out for the night, out of the guitar. I'll trim off the ends and sand paper it to its best smoothness tomorrow. What can I do about that D string?

The noise might be the kind of hollow buzz that you get when the string sounds from the the back or middle of the slot; it's caused by a flared front to the slot or a negative slope on the base of the slot. Don't expect it to get better on its own, sorry!
You also get this if you rely on quot;professionalquot; luthier's files and use one that is too wide for the slot. I've never used these they are expensive and unnecessary, just another way for the likes of Stew-Mac to exploit the aspiring quot;luthierquot;. My files are a cheap set of subminiature craft needle files in both conventional grid-cut and diamond surface, plus a selection of modified hacksaw blades. Aim to cut the nut slot using your own skill rather than rely on the shape of the file. I mainly use a profile called quot;double-crossing ovalquot; and also an elliptical and round file for the wider strings. I shape the slot to an approximate parabolic profile which has the advantage of minimising contact with the string while supporting it laterally to provide the necessary support for resonance and harmonic damping. A side effect of this is that the slot will support a couple of gauges either side of your default choice without needing to be recut.


Originally Posted by octavedoctorMy files are a cheap set of subminiature craft needle files in both conventional grid-cut and diamond surface, plus a selection of modified hacksaw blades.

Thats good to know. I have a set of those and wondered if they would be appropriate for nut filing.

Artie

I didn't rely on the shape of the files, as I pretty much try and keep up to the 'half of the diameter of the string' rule for the string slot. At this depth the shape of it doesn't matter as much. And the noise happens only when I tune up or down, and I checked the slopes, they're ok. I used the size under when I didn't have the proper sizes and then enlarged it with the strings themselves.
Edit: I have no idea what files these are. I don't know anything about tools I'm affraid and I'm low on cash. I think I see what you mean about the shape of the files thing now though. What do you mean by parabolic? Wouldn't that either put some space at the bottom of the string, or let it roam around too freely?

I use the more expensive files for the reason I find them to be alot quicker but, I can use just one narrow file to all of the slots. It takes more time though.

Pierre, are you hearing like a chinking noise when you tune the D string? Whenever I file out the slots I will fold over a peice of 220 grit sandpaper and run that in the slot to fine tune it after filing and it also smooths the slot so the string will not bind up and cause that noise. Also, did you file the nut at an angle? You need to be filing with the front of the file pointed downwards twords the head stock on a straight headstock. You basically need to file in the angle of a tilted headstock to get the slot right so the guitar will tune correctly. Also, when I make a nut I will only let the slots be deep enough so, half the string is above the nut. That helps with tuning stability big time. You do not need deep slots at all. When your slots are complete, profile down the top of the nut so the strings are halfway in the slot. Only half of the thickness of the string needs to be in there. To avoid cutting a slot too low, you need to have the strings in the rough slots, tuned near or at desired pitch, and work on one string at a time. You need to tune up the string, look at the height and if you need to take more off, loosen the string, file a tad bit, then tune it back up and go from there. Remember, work on only one slot at a time!!! When you are happy with the first slot, go to the second, when you are happy with that, go to the third, and so on.

I did just what you said about the angling. The angle is progressive so that there is only one contact point for the string. The noise happens only when I tune the string up or down. The profiling is also already done. I have some 240 grit sandpaper, I'll smooth down the slots tomorrow I guess, as well as fine cut the slots.

Running the paper in it usually clears that up for me assuming the nut was filed correctly. If you still have problems, hit me up tomorrow!

I shall! By then the glue in it should be totally solidified so I think the problem would disappear. I'll see and keep you knowing Thanks!

I wish you were my tech, and not the bonehead who did the nut on my last guitar.Originally Posted by octavedoctorThe noise might be the kind of hollow buzz that you get when the string sounds from the the back or middle of the slot; it's caused by a flared front to the slot or a negative slope on the base of the slot. Don't expect it to get better on its own, sorry!
You also get this if you rely on quot;professionalquot; luthier's files and use one that is too wide for the slot. I've never used these they are expensive and unnecessary, just another way for the likes of Stew-Mac to exploit the aspiring quot;luthierquot;. My files are a cheap set of subminiature craft needle files in both conventional grid-cut and diamond surface, plus a selection of modified hacksaw blades. Aim to cut the nut slot using your own skill rather than rely on the shape of the file. I mainly use a profile called quot;double-crossing ovalquot; and also an elliptical and round file for the wider strings. I shape the slot to an approximate parabolic profile which has the advantage of minimising contact with the string while supporting it laterally to provide the necessary support for resonance and harmonic damping. A side effect of this is that the slot will support a couple of gauges either side of your default choice without needing to be recut.

Originally Posted by twoheadedboyI wish you were my tech, and not the bonehead who did the nut on my last guitar.

I can be your tech bro!!!!!! I have done alot of work for the fine folks on here!!!! When you need something done, hit me up!!

I wish I lived closer, Odie. The nut on my SG is totally doing the quot;hollow buzzquot; thing Octavedoctor described.

Here are three letters and a word for ya quot;LSR nutquot;. These are for Theodie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you didn't get enough in your posts as you usually do so I will help you out!!!!!! CRACKER!!!!!!!!!!


Originally Posted by briandHere are three letters and a word for ya quot;LSR nutquot;. These are for Theodie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you didn't get enough in your posts as you usually do so I will help you out!!!!!! CRACKER!!!!!!!!!!

OK biatch!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!! LSR nuts are great but, they are by far more of a challange to install than cutting a nut!!! Some do not like them becasue they are not traditional!!!! Personally, if it has a trem and its not a Floyd, LSR all the way in my book!!!! On a fixed bridge, it is such an over kill!!!!!!


Originally Posted by twoheadedboyI wish I lived closer, Odie. The nut on my SG is totally doing the quot;hollow buzzquot; thing Octavedoctor described.

For a nut it would not really be worth it to ship the whole thang to me. If it were something more, I guarntee you I could make it worth your while!


Originally Posted by theodieOK biatch!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!! LSR nuts are great but, they are by far more of a challange to install than cutting a nut!!!

Preach it Bro! Get up on that soapbox. Let the people hear the words of the holy guitar text, it will set them free!!Originally Posted by theodieSome do not like them becasue they are not traditional!!!!

Traditional!! Who is to say what traditional is?!!Originally Posted by theodiePersonally, if it has a trem and its not a Floyd, LSR all the way in my book!!!!

Dito!! Fixed bridge too.Originally Posted by theodieOn a fixed bridge, it is such an over kill!!!!!!

That's the only way!! Kill, kill the over!!!! Hmmmmm! Kill, kill yeaaaaa!!


Originally Posted by briandPreach it Bro! Get up on that soapbox. Let the people hear the words of the holy guitar text, it will set them free!!
Traditional!! Who is to say what traditional is?!!
Dito!! Fixed bridge too.
That's the only way!! Kill, kill the over!!!! Hmmmmm! Kill, kill yeaaaaa!!

Brian, is this really you????? Usually your posts are far more conservative!!!!Are you hitting the pipe tonight??????? LOL!!!!!!



To bad they don't make LSR nuts for leftys


Originally Posted by 9finger

To bad they don't make LSR nuts for leftys

Isn't that like left-handed drumsticks?
The LSR nut is for either.


Originally Posted by ErikHIsn't that like left-handed drumsticks?
The LSR nut is for either.

Unless they've changed the design in the last year, that's not the case.