Modifying the nut, etc. on John Petrucci MM

[mxd]

Hi all,

I'm wanting to down-tune and use heavier strings on my JPMM Signature 6-string. I currently am using 10's in standard tuning. I want to tune down to C, and am thinking about trying the "Not Even Slinky" .12 - .56 strings.

So, I was wondering what kind of modifications will be needed? The nut is the main issue, since it definitely looks like the grooves will need to be widened. Having to do this makes me very nervous; once that's done, there's no turning back! Any tips?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[OrangeChannel]

I'd consider going up to 11's first, but that's me. You might not need to widen the nut with 11's. But if you do....file the inside of the slots neatly and carefully, to avoid hangups and deepening the groove, otherwise you'l have other issues. good luck soldier!


OC Out!

 

[thindave]

So, maybe this is obvious, but how do you know if the nut it too narrow? Should the string be able to be pulled up easily with no snags? If you tune up and you hear that little "ping" at the nut, is it necessarily too tight, or could it just need a little nut sauce?

 

[OrangeChannel]

I'd say a little nutsauce. My DG JP6 does that a little bit on the b string, alotta my guitars in the past have, I kinda use it at times to my advantage. It's a cool noise.

 

[mxd]

Yea, I just assumed that the grooves would need to be widened -- trying .11's first does sound like a good idea.

 

[thindave]

I picked up some Nut Sauce at the NAMM show - put it on the AL and it's definitely better, so we'll see...

 

[OrangeChannel]

When I get finished from one of my extended lets buy everthing runs, I will get some nutsauce. Running out to pickup a Pod XT tonight.

 

[mxd]

New problem

Update:

I went ahead and tried the .12 - .56 "Not Even Slinkys" on my JPMM and there were no problems at all with the size of the grooves. Please excuse my ignorance!

Now I have a new problem though...the .24 gauge, third string sounds dead and the intonation on this string is way out of wack. When played open it sounds fine, but when fretting a note it has no sustain and it quickly dies.

When I first started to tighten this string and bring it up to pitch, I thought it was pulled all the way through the bridge; apparently it hit a snag or something and was not pulled properly all the way, although it felt like it was pulled all the way. When I was bringing it up the pitch with the tuning knob, it eventually slipped all the way through -- but the string was bent in the middle and totally messed up, so I had to go buy another .24.

The new .24 was put in properly but now I have this "dead" tone with about the worst intonation one can imagine. All the other strings are fine. Anyone have any clue as to what the problem could be?

 

[OrangeChannel]

Here are some scenarios....

old string? Maybe a case of needing to raise the action slightly on that string? what are you tuning to...standard or a drop tuning? You might need to adjust the trem springs and tweak your truss a bit.

 

[Warg Master]

Yeah I had the problem on my axis... adjust of the truss fixed it.