First run at Nut slotting

Ghostman

Ghostman

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I have a Jackson soloist that I run heavier strings to drop it 1-1/2 steps. The strings are very tight and they stick in the slot when I tune it. So I ordered up some nut files to try to ease them a little bit.

Any tips or tricks to consider when I'm working on this? My intention is baby steps and take out as little as possible.

TIA
 
Ghostman said:
I have a Jackson soloist that I run heavier strings to drop it 1-1/2 steps. The strings are very tight and they stick in the slot when I tune it. So I ordered up some nut files to try to ease them a little bit.

Any tips or tricks to consider when I'm working on this? My intention is baby steps and take out as little as possible.

TIA
Click to expand...
Go slow. A bit of filing goes a long way.

Get this abrasive rope, and after a little filing, refine the slot with the rope before filing any more. Files rarely leave a perfectly smooth slot, and some binding may still occur, so it is normal to assume you need to file more when you really just need to refine it.

Mitchell Abrasive Cord - StewMac

Handy abrasive-coated cord in 4 thicknesses, great for smoothing nut slots.
www.stewmac.com www.stewmac.com

EDIT - same idea as Johnny, which was posted while I typed. This rope is a bit more effective than strings, especially for E-B-G, which are unwound

There are many Stewmac videos to watch. Here is one

 
Ghostman said:
I have a Jackson soloist that I run heavier strings to drop it 1-1/2 steps. The strings are very tight and they stick in the slot when I tune it. So I ordered up some nut files to try to ease them a little bit.

Any tips or tricks to consider when I'm working on this? My intention is baby steps and take out as little as possible.

TIA
Click to expand...
The nut files should be gauged .002 larger than the string.
Therefore getting just the right gauge files for those particular strings can be challenging.
The general purpose files are really not suited for nuts.
Most people do it wrong anyway.
The slot should be cut at the same angle as the head stock, not level with the finger board.
Cutting the slot level with the finger board is a really bad way to do it.
Even Stew Mac shows you the wrong way.

The nut slot should be cut like this: /
Not like this: ----

1597029325806.png The high point of the slot is right where the nut meets the finger board.

Cutting the slot flat = sloppy intonation and poor tone of string.
But this is typical of cheap poorly made nuts.

(Yes, some people do it the right way)

Getting just the right tools is a slow process.

1597027862085.png

1597029748736.png

If the slot is cut wrong, the guitar will never play exactly in tune, but will always have problems.
This is why it takes skill and patience.

THIS:
If you don't have the right tools
If you don't have the patience and skill,
Then take it to a professional Luthier.
The nut slot if cut incorrectly, will totally screw up the tuning and intonation of the guitar, and it's not worth it.
 
Last edited:
Amp Mad Scientist said:
The nut files should be gauged .002 larger than the string.
Therefore getting just the right gauge files for those particular strings can be challenging.
The general purpose files are really not suited for nuts.
Most people do it wrong anyway.
The slot should be cut at the same angle as the head stock, not level with the finger board.
Cutting the slot level with the finger board is a really bad way to do it.
Even Stew Mac shows you the wrong way.

The nut slot should be cut like this: /
Not like this: ----

View attachment 47144 The high point of the slot is right where the nut meets the finger board.

Cutting the slot flat = sloppy intonation and poor tone of string.
But this is typical of cheap poorly made nuts.

(Yes, some people do it the right way)

Getting just the right tools is a slow process.

View attachment 47143

View attachment 47145

If the slot is cut wrong, the guitar will never play exactly in tune, but will always have problems.
This is why it takes skill and patience.

THIS:
If you don't have the right tools
If you don't have the patience and skill,
Then take it to a professional Luthier.
The nut slot if cut incorrectly, will totally screw up the tuning and intonation of the guitar, and it's not worth it.
Click to expand...
It is not so dire, and it is worth trying your hand at. Nut material is cheap and easily discarded. If it doesn't work out, Tusq usually has a size that will fit, or close to it with only a little sanding needed. I think very few people go to a luthier for a nut anymore.

While I agree with the angles depicted above, it is a bit misleading as to execution. I would not file an angle straight back. It is good to have a bit of a ledge at the front of the nut IMHO
 
I received the first three and got to work yesterday. It's a black nut so it's much more difficult to see what I'm doing. Took extra time and carefulness to get them done, but after, the strings were much easier to intonate and don't bind up.

I ordered the last three today and will be revisiting the nut work once they come in.
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
The nut files should be gauged .002 larger than the string.
Therefore getting just the right gauge files for those particular strings can be challenging.
The general purpose files are really not suited for nuts.
Most people do it wrong anyway.
The slot should be cut at the same angle as the head stock, not level with the finger board.
Cutting the slot level with the finger board is a really bad way to do it.
Even Stew Mac shows you the wrong way.

The nut slot should be cut like this: /
Not like this: ----

View attachment 47144 The high point of the slot is right where the nut meets the finger board.

Cutting the slot flat = sloppy intonation and poor tone of string.
But this is typical of cheap poorly made nuts.

(Yes, some people do it the right way)

Getting just the right tools is a slow process.

View attachment 47143

View attachment 47145

If the slot is cut wrong, the guitar will never play exactly in tune, but will always have problems.
This is why it takes skill and patience.

THIS:
If you don't have the right tools
If you don't have the patience and skill,
Then take it to a professional Luthier.
The nut slot if cut incorrectly, will totally screw up the tuning and intonation of the guitar, and it's not worth it.
Click to expand...

This is how i approach the job, tools included. I shoot for .010" string to fret clearance at the 1st fret when fretted at the 3rd fret....
 
I hear people complain that the guitar plays out of tune, won't intonate correctly.
And that's where you find the problem - the nut is filed poorly. Wrong angle of nut slot etc.
That type set up drives me bonkers.
I hear it when the intonation is even a little bit off.
I hear it when the guitar is just slightly off. My ears are really sensitive to those tiny errors.
Other people may not hear the difference. But I sure do.

The nut is the most touchy adjustment; requires the most patience.
I spent a lot on gauged files, not cheap.
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
I hear people complain that the guitar plays out of tune, won't intonate correctly.
And that's where you find the problem - the nut is filed poorly. Wrong angle of nut slot etc.
That type set up drives me bonkers.
I hear it when the intonation is even a little bit off.
I hear it when the guitar is just slightly off. My ears are really sensitive to those tiny errors.
Other people may not hear the difference. But I sure do.

The nut is the most touchy adjustment; requires the most patience.
I spent a lot on gauged files, not cheap.
Click to expand...

The Pop Tarts will never warm up properly like that...
 
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