Biohazard Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 Hey guys, just a quick simple question for you (I hope). When I had my guitar built for me, the builder cut the string nut slots for gauge 10 strings. That is fine, but I am wanting to experiment with some Drop C, B, A etc bottom string tuning so will try a .56 bottom string. My question is, will I be able to do this with the bottom string nut slot cut to fit the standard gauge 10 bottom string which is .46? Thanks for your help, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 just take a small half roundneedle file to the bottom string nutslots. i had to do this since my kramer was cut for a set of 10s but the three low strings on my guitar are from a set of 12's and the string kept sticking when i was tuning. just dont take too much off and use some lubrication (pencil lead works great) and you should befine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 You can widen the slots using the wound strings as a saw. Cut a few inches off the ends grab it tight with both hands and saw back and forth until the string fits the slot. I do this after I slot a nut to get the bottoms of the slot round to match the strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeR Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 Recently, I read in a magazine actrice about cutting the treble strings solts in a nut using a junior hacksaw blad, with the set knocked out of it. Has anyone tried this- or know ifits a good/bad idea? Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 Get yourself a razor saw from a hobby shop. These have no set, and are idea for setting string spacing, then cutting the slots for the B and high E. I imagine a junior hacksaw blade would be a bit thick, even with the set knocked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeR Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 Will do. Thanks for the tip Setch! Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biohazard Posted November 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 What sized file will I need. Is this easy to do, I've done no work on guitar at all before other than wiring my guitar. My guitar builder said that the worst case senario for putting a .56 to .60 string in place of the .46 is that I will crack the nut, so I will need to make the slot slightly bigger.. Also how would I know when i've filled away enough? Will this then mean I can't put a .46 string in the future? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbarstrat Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 (edited) post deleted -- not the proper forum for info given Edited December 7, 2004 by soapbarstrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddler68 Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 Dude! That is the coolest little 'McGyver' contraption I've seen in a while. I'm definitely making one of those ASAP. Thanks for the pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82DeanZ Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 Wow Rob! Great answer. Thanks for taking the time to post all those pictures. I'll probably find this useful in the very near future..... Best Regards, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 If you didn't know it already, Rob knowns what he's talking about no doubt. Great pictures also... I bought over 200 dollars worth of nut files myself, long feeler guage set, and the nut spacing tool that stew mac sells like he also has. Making a perfect nut takes alot of patience and know how, and it was actually the last thing I learned to do well, and sometimes still struggle if I get in a hurry to make one. Making the nut is my least favorite job in building guitars and it takes a while until you get a good grasp of how to make everything line up correctly and also sound live a vibrant when playing open strings. I'd personally rather do 3 fretting jobs than make one nut.. lol Although, I would recommend anyone who is serious about building guitars or repairing them to have at least the standard sizes that Stew Mac suggested in their catalog for standard guitar guages. I would make a tutorial on how to make a perfect nut, but there are alot of resources out there already so there really is no need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbarstrat Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 I'm glad it's something that a few can appreciate. I went ahead and posted about it in more detail in the 'Tools and Shop Tutorials & Reference' section. I know it's not ideal Projectguitar.com material, since it won't help anyone put a more cool looking glowing skull design on their headstock, but there's a few of us who actually care about how a guitar is set-up and not just how cool it looks. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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