Mr. E
June 3rd, 2012, 09:56 PM
I'm curious about about tools and would want to get some to work on my guitars (and friends). I want to start with these but would like to know if they're worth it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tapered-Electric-Guitar-Nut-File-Set-3-double-sided-includes-carrying-/110889238112?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item19d1837e60
http://store.fretguru.com/shop/fretguru-precision-setup-and-evaluation-gauge/
I'm more curious about the nut files. I use 11's and the files are for a 10's set mainly. Would they still work?
Thanks
KokoTele
June 4th, 2012, 10:44 AM
I have stewmac's setup gauge, and it's turned out to be far more useful than I expected. It's also a little cheaper than the one you linked.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges/String_Action_Gauge.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=32638
You can do pretty much the same stuff with a 6" machinists rule that you can buy at the hardware store for a few bucks.
I went for stewmac's gauged fiiles because those double-edged files don't come in the gauges I'd use for most strings. The most popular local shop uses those, and I get a lot of business from people who don't like the work they do.
Bud Veazey
June 4th, 2012, 11:33 AM
Get the Stewmac gauge. It's a couple of bucks cheaper and has the same features. I use mine every day. While you're at Stewmac, get a set of their files. I've tried a couple of types of slotting files, I always go back to my Stewmac set.
Mr. E
June 5th, 2012, 07:12 PM
I believe this site has free shipping. I check both and Stewmac is about the same, or more, with shipping.
Mr. E
June 5th, 2012, 07:17 PM
I went for stewmac's gauged fiiles because those double-edged files don't come in the gauges I'd use for most strings. The most popular local shop uses those, and I get a lot of business from people who don't like the work they do.
What gauge files do you use? Two other sets that might work but since I don't know much about files I would ask all of you if these might work.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hiroshima-Files-UO-Chikyu-Nut-Files-6-piece-Set-Acoustic-Light-Gauge-/110890286598?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item19d1937e06
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guitar-Nut-File-Set-3-double-sided-includes-carrying-/110889238113?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item19d1837e61
KokoTele
June 5th, 2012, 10:07 PM
Like I said, I try to keep the slots between 2 and 5 thousandths wider than the string. 3 is the sweet spot. 5 is where the smaller strings can easily create some buzzing in the nut. The larger, wound strings can easily work with a slightly wider slot.
For a typical 10-46 gauge string set, I'd use .013, .016, .020, .028 or .032 (I try it smaller but if the strings bind I go larger), .042, and .050.