Setting up nut height. - UK guitar forum for guitar shops, guitar dealers, guitar reviews, guitar technicians, guitar tuition and more

You are not logged in. [Log In] » Forums » UK Guitar Forum » Guitar Building and Repairs » Setting up nut height.

Who's Online

14 registered (Lotus, strat man, Irene west, Lester, Jon van derlim, Ape09090) and 293 anonymous users online.

details

Newest Members

lienyingp, Finny Finn, lax81, gaz1979, johnp61
9382 Registered Users

Forum Stats

9383 Members
50 Forums
26843 Topics
293736 Posts

Max Online: 390 @ 10/02/12 01:42 PM

Page 1 of 2

Topic Options

Rate This Topic

#291673 - 11/01/12 07:32 AM Setting up nut height.
Jocko Jocko Old Timer Registered: 06/07/11 Posts: 1025 Loc: Kirkcaldy, Fife	I have spent the last few nights doing nut set ups on a range of Guitars. I blew one nut by taking one slot too low and had to end up shimming the nut. I will replace it eventually but the shim will do mean time. How do you guys set up a nut ( almost typed "your nuts")? I measure the fret height using a steel block and feeler gauges. I then add about 12 thou to that size and with a tattie set of gauges set to that size and placed behind the nut I file down to the feeler gauges. With the string back in place I depress string at third fret and check for clearance over the first fret. I am looking for a barely perceptible gap between string and first fret. I would appreciate any feedback from you guys as to how you do it, other methods, horror stories anything to help me improve my methods. _________________________ Best tip for budding guitarists. Start playing 10 years earlier!
Top

Richards Guitars: 5 Tiddington Road, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7AZ - Tel 01789 26 33 33

Click on the Guitar Title To View This Guitar For Sale at Guitars.co.uk. More Guitars For Sale can also be found at Richards Guitars

FeedWind

#291674 - 11/01/12 08:11 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Jocko]
Lester Lester Professional Forumite! Registered: 28/05/11 Posts: 543 Loc: UK & Slovakia	I wimp out. I am ashamed but have not acquired the tools to start having a go myself. That said, the only nut I have had to replace was on a brand new Gibson. Richard's chap did a great job, better than I could have.
Top

#291675 - 11/01/12 09:42 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Lester]
Megi Megi Old Timer Registered: 08/07/11 Posts: 1281 Loc: Lincolnshire	The nuts I've done so far, I used a similar approach to you, i.e. depress string between 2nd and 3rd fret, and cut to a barely perceptible gap over the 1st fret - I can just hear a faint "ping" if I tap the string down to the 1st fret. Actually probably just a smidge more clearance for the bass E string seems about right to me, it seems to need it. Depends how hard you pluck the strings though! I've cut the slots using a variety of improvised tools, including those welding nozzle tip cleaners they sell for guitar nuts on Ebay, also folded bits of fine sandpaper and bits of guitar string with fine sandpaper wrapped round. Some observations: 1) it takes ages doing it like this 2) the welding tip cleaners are rubbish, especially on harder materials like bone or graphtech tusq. Also the thin ones are really rubbish. 3) in general, although I do get there in the end, it's obviously possible to do better! So, I'm biting the bullet and ordering a set of proper nut files. I baulk at the cost, but I guess in the end it's worthwhile, especially for Guitars fitted with trems where you want the nut as smooth and well cut as possible, but for everything really. Probably going for this set: Tonetech set of 10 nut files but on the cheaper side I have found this: Boston guitar set up kit, including 3 double sided nut files - the description is a bit vague (e.g. does each file cover 2 different slot sizes or not?) and I don't know if the quality is up to the job - maybe worth a punt though. Edited by Megi (11/01/12 09:45 AM) _________________________ Graham, jazz guitar nut!
Top

#291676 - 11/01/12 10:03 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Megi]
stickyfiddle stickyfiddle Spam Commander (Forum Council Member) Old Timer Registered: 22/04/04 Posts: 6168 Loc: London, UK	I'd definitely go for the Tonetech set- they'll stay with you a very long time "Buy cheap, buy twice" is the classic mantra when buying tools $\:\)$ _________________________ PSN: stickyfiddle
Top

#291677 - 11/01/12 10:17 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: stickyfiddle]
Megi Megi Old Timer Registered: 08/07/11 Posts: 1281 Loc: Lincolnshire	Originally Posted By: stickyfiddle I'd definitely go for the Tonetech set- they'll stay with you a very long time "Buy cheap, buy twice" is the classic mantra when buying tools $\:\)$ And of course you are absolutely right Sticky - I just hate parting with cold hard cash for unglamorous things like nut files! If it was something more exciting like new pickups, or a cool FX pedal I would have no trouble at all talking myself into the purchase... As you say, they will stay with me a long time, and no doubt prove their worth many times over - OK, I'm ordering them today! $\:\)$ _________________________ Graham, jazz guitar nut!
Top

#291679 - 11/01/12 10:41 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Megi]
stickyfiddle stickyfiddle Spam Commander (Forum Council Member) Old Timer Registered: 22/04/04 Posts: 6168 Loc: London, UK	It's like buying guitar cases, isn't it? Not a fun purchase, but defintiley worth spending more on for top quality $\:\)$ Edited by stickyfiddle (11/01/12 10:41 AM) _________________________ PSN: stickyfiddle
Top

#291681 - 11/01/12 11:20 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: stickyfiddle]
Ape09090 Ape09090 Old Timer Registered: 01/12/11 Posts: 1197 Loc: South Wales	£90,heebus ,jeebus _________________________ also known as Andrew on Skype as myrddin333 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Q3Zq8ozt4
Top

#291682 - 11/01/12 11:56 AM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Ape09090]
Megi Megi Old Timer Registered: 08/07/11 Posts: 1281 Loc: Lincolnshire	Originally Posted By: Ape09090 £90,heebus ,jeebus I know! they're expensive - in fact specialist guitar tools seem expensive generally - which is why if I can find a good method that doesn't use them, I will. But I can find no good alternative to proper nut files, and believe me I've tried. I guess I have 4 or 5 Guitars that could use a well-cut nut, and also I have friends who might want to use my guitar tech services, so looked at that way, the value is acceptable - to me anyway (he said philosophically...). _________________________ Graham, jazz guitar nut!
Top

#291684 - 11/01/12 12:24 PM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Megi]
Ape09090 Ape09090 Old Timer Registered: 01/12/11 Posts: 1197 Loc: South Wales	and there's definitely no alternative you can use in general tool suppliers? Have you looked in the screwfix catalogue? _________________________ also known as Andrew on Skype as myrddin333 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Q3Zq8ozt4
Top

#291685 - 11/01/12 12:33 PM Re: Setting up nut height. [Re: Ape09090]
stickyfiddle stickyfiddle Spam Commander (Forum Council Member) Old Timer Registered: 22/04/04 Posts: 6168 Loc: London, UK	Not to mention if you decide you don't want them any more they'll still be worth a good chunk of that money _________________________ PSN: stickyfiddle
Top

Page 1 of 2

Previous Topic View All Topics

Index Next Topic

Moderator: stickyfiddle

Hop to:

Latest Hot Topics!

line 6 pod, pocket pod or spider IV 75?
by strat man

Strata casts signed on guitar by Eric Clapton
by Irene west

Building ideas.
by Loli832
09:07 PM

The jazz corner
by Ape09090
09:04 PM

Making faces whilst playing.
by Loli832
08:51 PM

Albert Lee Masterclass
by elkay
08:47 PM

Been busy
by Ape09090
06:32 PM

Ebay. What am I missing?
by Loli832
04:55 PM

hey from norfolk!
by rawskilzz
03:42 PM

30 watt valve amp wanted!
by Tinyghost
02:39 PM

Wolfes Beginners guide to scales
by Finny Finn
12:33 PM

What mic or what can I do?
by prolife
12:18 PM

Drum machines
by prolife
12:12 PM

My new Alhambra
by Megi
10:56 AM

NAD - Rivera
by Ape09090
10:23 AM

Guitar Setups at Richards Guitars

FREE Pre Sale Personalised Setup worth £55

On every guitar sold (Since 1995)

Click on the Images For Further Details

Acoustic Guitar Setup

Electric Guitar Setup

I have also created a page to help explain, in basic terms, why a guitar sold by me will:

Play Better

Sound Better

Feel Better

Look Better

Stay In Tune - Longer

Whether buying a guitar or otherwise, I hope you find the information of value.

Generated in 0.079 seconds in which 0.009 seconds were spent on a total of 16 queries. Zlib compression enabled.

Guitar Building & Guitar Repairs Forum