Question Recommended Files to widen nut for .010's

[fjk1138]

Hey All,

Well, I've given the .009s on my new JPXI-6 a good 2 week trial, but they are just too light for me, so it looks like I have to go back to .010s.

The problem is that the nut is definitely cut for the .009s and will need some minor filing to open them up a bit. I can fit the .010s in, but just barely, and I am sure they will be hanging up when it comes time for tuning and trem usage.

Can anyone recommend a good set of files to achieve this? I don't need anything fancy, whatever works. I was looking at these on Stew Mac but to get the whole set is a bit pricey:

STEWMAC.COM : Double-edge Nut Files

Are those the correct kind?

Thanks.

 

[kimonostereo]

Be really really careful when you work on the nut! If you've never cut or modified your own, you might want to try working on a cheaper, less important guitar first.

To widen the slot, I've had luck with 600 or 800 grit sandpaper folded in half then slowly sliding it into the nut to cut it wider. Go slowly then test. It doesn't take a lot to widen it. Don't press into the nut since you don't want it any deeper. You may even want to put some tape at the bottom of the slot to make sure you don't sand deeper. Finish up with 1000/1500/2000 grit sandpaper and test for smoothness. You don't want a slot that binds or you'll have issues with tuning and the trem.

 

[DrKev]

Stewmac nut files will be fine. Yes, they are expensive but precision files like that don't come much cheaper. And as Kim said, don't make the slots deeper or you'll end with horrible fret buzz on the open strings and will have to buy a new nut from EBMM!

Personally, I'm surprised that you'd have a problem with 10s. Every Music Man nut should accept 10s without no problem.

 

[Astrofreq]

As someone who works on guitars all the time, a .012 file is too big if you are filing for a .010 string. I wouldn't use anything bigger than a .010 on that high E string. I would use the advice above and try sandpaper first, simply because the difference between .009 and .010 is so minimal. Honestly, you would only need one pass (maybe two) with the .010 nut file anyway.

 

[Astrofreq]

Nut File Set | Allparts.com

I use a set similar to this at work.

 

[biggestmuff]

No reason to use special tools. Just use the .010 string itself; use it as a file.

When I setup one of my JP models for C standard tuning with a set of .054 - .011s I ran into a similar problem. I asked a few people on JP's forum what they did. JP's guitar tech, Maddi, helped me out with the following advice.

As for the nut, one quick way to widen the slots if you don't have special nut files is the use the bit of string you cut off from the locking tuners and use it as a file. Just run it through the corresponding slot to make it bigger. Go slow so you don't make the slot deeper, just wider.

Bolded to ensure you take extra care regardless of how you choose to widen the nut.

Here's the entire thread:
JP6 BFR tuned to C standard; setup tips?

Maddie is "Tekwerk" on that forum.

 

[fjk1138]

You guys are awesome, thanks for all the great advice.

I am going to try the sandpaper/string route first, then if not successful I am going to try Radrock's files.

Thanks again guys!

 

[tommyindelaware]

i would try a 010 w/o ANY mod first. chances are it will work fine w/o binding up. be sure to add a teeny bit of lube . ( & yes i know jp uses those black self lubing nuts)

be careful as...sandpaper can widen a little slot like that pretty quickly.