Help! Problem with compensated nut?!

[sickindian]

Hi,
Tonight I decided to clean my fingerboard after wiping all off with great wonder wipes I've noticed that my E low string rubbed the lacquer and it looks like A string just started is it mean that my compensated nut just worn out?

 

[Adam_D]

Would you ever do any behind the nut bends? Or have you ever slipped when re-stringing it or anything?

It's really unlikely that a nut could wear down enough and so quickly to cause that much wear! I just checked on my JPX, and there's at least 2/3mm of distance between the nut and the wood! How old is the guitar?

 

[sickindian]

My guitar is 6 years old and I don't really play that much anymore. I use tremolo arm from time to time and I'm always carefully restring my guitar. It must have happened just recently as I would noticed it 6 months ago because that was the last time when I was major cleaned.
I can see a bit of wear on A string slot but you would imagine that these nuts are built for heavy use but once I'll put the strings on I'll check the height then again.

 

[Adam_D]

The only other things I could think of would be perhaps from tremolo use the string slipped out of the nut and scratched the paint? Looking at the pic again, is the paint scratched up behind the end of the fretboard wood?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Have a chat with CS via Strings n Things as if I recall, this issue has been mentioned before.
Cheers

Spud

 

[Colin]

it's unlikely you have a problem with the nut.

 

[DrKev]

Adrian, if your nut was worn out, the open string would buzz off the 1st fret and no amount of action or neck relief would fix it. If the open strings plays well, the nut height is fine. The "nut wearing" out thing is something of a myth - it's far less common, with any nut material, than most people think.

Sometimes the clearance from the back of the nut to the tuning post over that part of the neck is very fine thing. If the string makes contact at all, over the years it will rub or indent the lacquer. FWIW, my Silo Special does the same thing (as did two of my three previous guitars of different brands). Maybe I'm just very unlucky but it doesn't bother me at all.

As Spud says, call Strings & Things (the UK distributors), assuming you haven't already.

 

[sickindian]

The only other things I could think of would be perhaps from tremolo use the string slipped out of the nut and scratched the paint? Looking at the pic again, is the paint scratched up behind the end of the fretboard wood?

It looks like the lacquer has been rubbed by the moving string so you can see where the string either pushed clear coat or rubbed it.

@Spudmurphy
I will try Strings and Things via phone and send them a mail with photos so they know what I'm on about.

Thanks for the input.
Adrian

 

[Roubster]

That's nothing too much to worry about. I had the same thing on my two previous EBMM Silo and Silo Specials. I think a few years back the EBMM took care of this on all the guitars by filing down that end of the fretboard behind the nut so the strings dont touch it there. I have this on my Steve Morse Y2D with plenty of clearance. But again, it should be nothing to worry about. If still in doubt, always contact customer service .

 

[morsecode]

I have the same thing with my Koa Petrucci. It's pretty minor and had more to do with the end of the fretboard not being filed down enough rather than the nut itself. It's not a problem for me.