Am I nuts?

I think I've finally had enough of taking my guitars to the tech, waiting for months (yes, months), and finally getting them back after paying through the nose, only to discover that they didn't do what I asked them to do.

The last guitar I took in was supposed to have the frets crowned and polished, and then the neck was supposed to be set up with fresh strings. I get it home and play it, only to find frets buzzing and dead notes. :mad: I really don't even want to talk about it.

Well, another one of my guitars needs a new nut with wider string spacing. A friend also has a guitar in need of this same modification. I'm thinking I may just break down, buy the tools and do it myself. Am I crazy, or is this something that an adult with normal hand/eye coordination can do?

I think you should give it a shot. You will probably figure out how to do it, and then you'll have the tools/knowledge to do this again at your convenience and cost savings.

Go for it. After about 6 months of serious experimentation in the areas you describe, I reckoned I've fixed slightly more than I've broken. Just.

But the mistakes are mine and I haven't paid anyone to make them.

No you aren't nuts. You're facing reality. Go for it.

...Am I crazy, or is this something that an adult with normal hand/eye coordination can do?

Yes it is something that a normal adult can do. Look at the Stewmac and Frank Ford Frets.com websites for lots of tips.

Oh, and don't go "el cheapo" on the nut files :shock:

I say do it yourself. Better then paying like 50 bucks and it not turning out right. You can buy a good set of files that are supposed to last for "ever" for around 100 bucks, or buy some welder files for 10 bucks off e-bay (which I recommend if you are only going to makea couple). http://www.ebay.com/itm/Welding-Tip-Cleaner-13-Pc-Stainless-Steel-Reamers-6-26-File-Welder-Soldering-/360469703042?pt=BI_Welding_Supplies&hash=item53edab2982#ht_2816wt_1186

Do it yourself, but first read through this...http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/276101-makin-your-own-nuts-tutorial.html

Bob

I don't think being nuts has stopped any of us from doing anything! :grin:

this might help a bit….. and you got mail..

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/201556-fret-leveling-yer-tele-101-a.html


Ron kirn

The reason it takes 3 weeks to get our guitars back is so the tech can have time to come to the TDPRI and figure out how to fix it......:lol:


Jeff

Every guitarist should be able to do their own setups and make a nut. The tools aren't that expensive in the scheme of things. Get good nut files and they'll last a lifetime.

If you mess up the nut, guess what? You have learned what not to do and you can make another one.

It's not critical, but I also highly recommend the Stew-Mac string spacing gauge (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Nuts_and_saddles/String_Spacing_Rule.html).

-Kevin

The reason it takes 3 weeks to get our guitars back is so the tech can have time to come to the TDPRI and figure out how to fix it......:lol:


Jeff



LOL :lol: Probably true!

No you're not nuts. If I can figure it out, so can you. I highly recommend either and or both of Dan Erlewine's books, "How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great", and "Guitar Player's Guide to Guitar Repair", or something like that. Widely available on half.com at good prices.

One of Dan's pieces of advice is also especially good- go find yourself a yard sale special guitar, preferably one with an adjustable truss rod, and adjustable bridge (if possible, similar to the one you have). Use it for your learnin' mule before you dig into your good guitars. It isn't rocket science, and if you go slowly and carefully, you'll have great success.

Only downside is that tools can be a bit pricey, diamond fret crowning files, good set of nut files, etc., but you can do the whole neighborhood's setups, save yourself a ton of labor money, charge half of what the techs do, and still make a bit of change, and PO the local guitar tech's union. :twisted:

Go for it.

..if ya want somethin done right..learn to do it yourself...

I don't think being nuts has stopped any of us from doing anything! :grin:

I laughed out loud at this one! :lol: You guys are good people!

And thanks for all the replies. I'll check out the information you all posted and do my homework before buying tools or anything.

I don't think being nuts has stopped any of us from doing anything! :grin:

LMAO! That's no lie. The story's I could tell, wow! :mrgreen:

+1 on all the DIY suggestions. However, speaking as a tech who turns around most jobs in 24 hours, you shouldn't have to wait months to get your guitar back and when you do get it back the job should be what you asked for. Fire that tech!

BTW, there's no shame in taking your guitar to a good guitar tech or luthier. Most of my customers are sharp enough to do their own setups, etc. They just prefer to spend their spare time pickin' and leave the tech stuff to me, for which I say thanks.

I don't think being nuts has stopped any of us from doing anything! :grin:
If anything, that's what got in this mess in the first place :mrgreen:

i started playing guitar when i was 10, and by age 16 i started teaching myself how to do my own maintenance work. the vast majority of it (especially on electric guitars) isn't difficult at all, and you'll save a ton of money in the long run. i've never taken my guitar to a tech, and abou the only thing i haven't undertaken is a refret (although i have levelled and crowned my own frets several times, so i'm confident i could install new ones. i've also never had to do a major repair like a broken headstock, but as far as most routine maintenance goes i think i've done most of it at least once. i bought Dan Erlewine's "Guitar Player Repair Guide" and it's the most-used book i own (i got it when the second edition had just come out and my copy is pretty beat up now.)

there's absolutely no reason why you can't learn to do that type of stuff yourself, and you'll be glad you did. and if you screw something up, just remember that it's usually easily repairable...just look at that as another learning experience. filing new nut slots isn't nearly as tricky as it seems, and if you want to practice first, just buy a few of the really cheap plastic nuts from Stew-Mac or another supplier, since they only cost a couple dollars each. you can practice on those, and if you make one that you like, you can simply copy it over to a better nut material like bone or TUSQ or something.

a lot of guitar repairs and upgrades can look difficult if you've never done them before, but once you dive into it, you'll discover how simple electric guitars really are.