The “Inspector” guitar tribute build

Got the pups installed yesterday. I was going to put the strings on but then I looked at the nut and went WTF? Robert was OCD on nut profiles and I can’t see why he would have done this. Anybody venture to guess? It looks like it was done backwards.

IMG_0150.jpegIMG_0149.jpegIMG_0148.jpeg
 
Don O said:
I was going to put the strings on but then I looked at the nut and went WTF? Robert was OCD on nut profiles and I can’t see why he would have done this. Anybody venture to guess? It looks like it was done backwards.
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IMO, that nut is toast.

Have you shaped a new nut from a blank before?

I may have some extra pre-slotted nuts somewhere… And I’m not talking about my own nuts! What would be the precise measurement of the width, depth, and height of a proper fitting nut for the guitar’s nut slot?
 
syscokid said:
IMO, that nut is toast.

Have you shaped a new nut from a blank before?

I may have some extra pre-slotted nuts somewhere… And I’m not talking about my own nuts! What would be the precise measurement of the width, depth, and height of a proper fitting nut for the guitar’s nut slot?
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Yea, I know I gotta replace it. I haven't shaped a nut from a blank but I have a bunch of blanks and nut files. Of course the first thing to cross my mind was to make one from a brass blank, as Robert loved those brass ones he made. The yellow Strat has a brass one. Not sure at this point.

I'll measure that nut and post it later.
 
Don O said:
I drilled the holes, installed the inserts, strung the outer strings, measured 24.75” from the nut and drill the holes for the ABR-1 bridge and mounted that.
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So, quick question...was this neck built to be a true 24.75" scale or was it made to match Gibson's scale?

The reason I ask is that, although Gibson continues to advertise their guitars as having a 24.75" scale, they actually aren't. Gibson's actual scale length is something closer to 24 9/16" (approximately 24.56"). Gibson hasn't really made a 24.75" scale guitar since the mid 1950's. When I measure my Gibsons, they aren't a true 24.75" scale, either.

To know the true scale length of the guitar, measure from the inside face of the nut to the center of the 12th fret, then double that figure. In contrast to Gibson, when I measure my Fender this way, it does work out to have a scale length of precisely 25.5", which matches their advertised scale.

Now, since this is a custom build, I would assume they did design it as a true 24.75" scale length, but it's something I'd want to confirm.

Here's a Stew-Mac article on it. The section about Gibson is interesting. Consistency has historically not really been one of Gibson's strong points!

Guitar Scale Length Explained - StewMac - StewMac

Scale Length Explained
www.stewmac.com www.stewmac.com
 
smitty_p said:
So, quick question...was this neck built to be a true 24.75" scale or was it made to match Gibson's scale?

The reason I ask is that, although Gibson continues to advertise their guitars as having a 24.75" scale, they actually aren't. Gibson's actual scale length is something closer to 24 9/16" (approximately 24.56"). Gibson hasn't really made a 24.75" scale guitar since the mid 1950's. When I measure my Gibsons, they aren't a true 24.75" scale, either.

To know the true scale length of the guitar, measure from the inside face of the nut to the center of the 12th fret, then double that figure. In contrast to Gibson, when I measure my Fender this way, it does work out to have a scale length of precisely 25.5", which matches their advertised scale.

Now, since this is a custom build, I would assume they did design it as a true 24.75" scale length, but it's something I'd want to confirm.

Here's a Stew-Mac article on it. The section about Gibson is interesting. Consistency has historically not really been one of Gibson's strong points!

Guitar Scale Length Explained - StewMac - StewMac

Scale Length Explained
www.stewmac.com www.stewmac.com
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That’s a good question Smitty. I’ll measure the neck later today. I went solely on Robert’s drawing taped to the body. His writing is in pencil, mine in ink.

IMG_0068.jpeg
 
Don O said:
That’s a good question Smitty. I’ll measure the neck later today. I went solely on Robert’s drawing taped to the body. His writing is in pencil, mine in ink.

View attachment 95293
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I see that he penciled in "12.375" NUT TO 12th C/L". So, it looks to me like he did measure to the center line of the 12th fret. In that case, it does work out to 24.75", which is good since you already drilled for the bridge posts!

Don't mean to cause a panic...just me being paranoid!
 
smitty_p said:
I see that he penciled in "12.375" NUT TO 12th C/L". So, it looks to me like he did measure to the center line of the 12th fret. In that case, it does work out to 24.75", which is good since you already drilled for the bridge posts!

Don't mean to cause a panic...just me being paranoid!
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No issue. I want this to be a group type project. I’m still gonna measure it later today. And, @syscokid the nut width is 42mm. I ordered a pre-slotted brass nut. I’ll file it to Robert’s specs after I install it. It won’t be here until 10/20 though. Next up is a wiring diagram.
 
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