- Thread starter MCBTunes
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tommyindelaware
Well-known member
curiously............... why do you want to FILE your nut slots??MCBTunes said:
beej
Moderator
Dunno if I'd want to tackle filing the nut ... if you're really interested, there's a Dan Erlewine video on Nut making ... probably get it at the stewmac site. He also tackles nut filing / maintenance on the guitar setup DVDs. But again ... dunno if I'd want to do that unless there were real issues ...
Where are you in Canada? If you really want an expert opinion and/or tools and you're in Toronto I'd try the 12th Fret- best repair shop in the city. Those guys are amazing. (And an EBMM dealer to boot.)
(I took their build-your-own-guitar course when I was a kid and it was the best thing I ever did.)
Where are you in Canada? If you really want an expert opinion and/or tools and you're in Toronto I'd try the 12th Fret- best repair shop in the city. Those guys are amazing. (And an EBMM dealer to boot.)
(I took their build-your-own-guitar course when I was a kid and it was the best thing I ever did.)
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Well, if you're going to a large string gauge, you may need to redo your nut - especially going up two gauges - but it's not a job for us amatures unless:MCBTunes said:
1 - we have a lot of patience...
2 - we have a lot of nuts...
Seriously, I do everything on my guitars myself except nut/fretboard work. You need special files for the work, and they're not cheap, and it would probably cost you more in practice/spare/extra nuts learning how to do it properly than you'll spend in a lifetime having a pro do it for you. Since you need a full set-up/intonation with a change in string gauge that big, I suggest you spare yourself the agony, and take it in to a pro shop to have the work done...
my 2¢
tommyindelaware
Well-known member
u would need the right tools ....as... there is a reasonable amount of precision required for this. that said.......w/ the right tools.....it's not too difficult.
one would obtain & use a set nut files to cut the slots the proper width.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_s...ts_and_saddles/Gauged_Nut_Slotting_Files.html
and to prevent from cutting too deep......a feeler guage (of proper thickness) should be laid across the fingerboard up against the front of the nut to stop the files from cutting below the existing bottom of the slots to maintain the existing string heights.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Special_tools_for:_Nuts_and_saddles/Feeler_Gauges.html
jim's right too........if u haven't ever done this.....u may wanna let someone w/ a good reputation do this. unless.....u got a hankerin to learn this 4 yerself...in which case you should practice on something a few times first.
one would obtain & use a set nut files to cut the slots the proper width.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_s...ts_and_saddles/Gauged_Nut_Slotting_Files.html
and to prevent from cutting too deep......a feeler guage (of proper thickness) should be laid across the fingerboard up against the front of the nut to stop the files from cutting below the existing bottom of the slots to maintain the existing string heights.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Special_tools_for:_Nuts_and_saddles/Feeler_Gauges.html
jim's right too........if u haven't ever done this.....u may wanna let someone w/ a good reputation do this. unless.....u got a hankerin to learn this 4 yerself...in which case you should practice on something a few times first.
jazzbo jim
Well-known member
Filing the nut can be tricky business unless you're experienced and I wouldn't recommend "warming up" on an EB!
If you're in/near Toronto there are several competent techs (Beej-I'd disagree that the 12th fret is "the best" in town although their prices are pretty "exclusive")
If you're in/near Toronto there are several competent techs (Beej-I'd disagree that the 12th fret is "the best" in town although their prices are pretty "exclusive")
beej
Moderator
jazzbo jim said:Filing the nut can be tricky business unless you're experienced and I wouldn't recommend "warming up" on an EB!
If you're in/near Toronto there are several competent techs (Beej-I'd disagree that the 12th fret is "the best" in town although their prices are pretty "exclusive")
Fair enough ... best is pretty subjective. They've done some great work for me- especially some great wood work on two acoustic guitars which I was certain were headed for the scrap heap. I've also been pretty happy with their repair fees (though the prices in their store are pricey). But there are a certainly lot of other good shops in the city!
I play guitar, and this forum about basses helped a lot. I bought a set of some feeler gauges and files on ebay for 25 dollars.
Brand New Guitar Nut File System for the Novice Luthier - eBay (item 110323826104 end time Dec-13-08 20:33:39 PST)
Well worth it IMO. I didn't have to go out to buy them, and it came with a set of very helpful instructions. My Taylor 610 plays so well now, and it's not sharp on the low e anymore.
Brand New Guitar Nut File System for the Novice Luthier - eBay (item 110323826104 end time Dec-13-08 20:33:39 PST)
Well worth it IMO. I didn't have to go out to buy them, and it came with a set of very helpful instructions. My Taylor 610 plays so well now, and it's not sharp on the low e anymore.
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agt
Well-known member
For what it's worth, I use 11s on most of my Balls and I have had no problems with the stock nuts. You'll have to re-intonate/set up, but that's it. Give it a try and live with it for a while before doing something irreversible.
