Installing a nut on a Tele neck...

mojocasterman · February 27th, 2008, 10:19 PM

... more to it than meets the eye? Anyone has a cool link to offer, or interesting advice?

I have a nutless neck - I know, I know, it doesn't sound right... - and a brand new Tusq nut. The nut has that funny little tab thing at the bottom...

Anyway, who's got the knowledge? :)

sean79 · February 27th, 2008, 10:30 PM

Is it pre-slotted? I put a pre-slotted Tusq nut on one of my guitars a while back. If your slot is flat, leave the tab thing. If your slot is curved, sand it (or some of it) off. Mine fit nice and tight in the slot (I think I sanded it a little "skinnier" to make it fit) - I didn't put any glue in it at all. Someone who knew what he was doing might check the nut relief and adjust the string slots or nut height accordingly. Not me, and it seemed to work just fine.

Caper · February 27th, 2008, 10:30 PM

For starters determine what radius neck you have. Get out some sandpaper and try to find a cylinder that approximates your neck radius. I usually tape some masking tape to a metal can or whatever I can find and sand and check and sand and check. Take your time, check and recheck you don't want it too low or your strings will buzz. You just want the strings to clear the first fret. Stewmac has a good tutorial. Remember it's not rocket science but there are basics you need to know, you'll find these here: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...0.html#details

mellecaster · February 28th, 2008, 01:25 AM

1st off...just lay a known straight edge in the nut slot, and see if it rocks...then you'll know if you have a radiused nut slot or not ?....and just go from there.

boris bubbanov · February 28th, 2008, 01:30 AM

Over at the institute of noise, Squier 51 modders forum there is a skinny called Spacklehoss. That tutorial will take you step at a time all the way through the process. I sand differing amounts off the underside of the precut nut depending on the depth of the existing nut slot. If you are patient you may get a result requiring no tweaking (my opinion and mine only, maybe) of the slots themselves.
Remember you can not add material back on, only take off material, so go slow.

mojocasterman · March 1st, 2008, 07:45 PM

great advice. Thanks all!

JimiBryant · March 1st, 2008, 09:43 PM

+1 on the tips, gents!

Flat357 · March 1st, 2008, 09:54 PM

If you do file your own , and go too low , then a little baking soda over super glue will repair it ready to be sanded again .
The key is a ' little ' , as it sets rock hard so you don't want to over do it .

The chances are though that the nut will be close in the first place .

Baking soda is every luthiers friend , and also great for repairing chips too .

valriver 1940 · March 2nd, 2008, 11:53 AM

I Have Filling My Nuts For A Few Years Now. Somehow That Sounds Funny. I Have Been Using A Material Called Micarta, Left Over From My Knife Making Handle Days. Try And Try And You Will Succed.

newtwanger · March 3rd, 2008, 11:32 AM

I just got a Tusq slotted nut for my build and to my suprise..it's unusable!
(and it's the correct "PQ-5000-00 - Tusq Nut Slotted Strat Style")

The slot spacing is much wider than the spacing on my other tele and on my cheap plastic nut. both Es would be riding the edge of the fretboard.
The site says the E to E is 1 3/8 (1.380). didn't measure my others but they are much narrower.

Guess I'll be buying a not-slotted one and do my own or use the cheapie nut for a bit.

1293 · March 3rd, 2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat357

If you do file your own , and go too low , then a little baking soda over super glue will repair it ready to be sanded again .
The key is a ' little ' , as it sets rock hard so you don't want to over do it .

The chances are though that the nut will be close in the first place .

Baking soda is every luthiers friend , and also great for repairing chips too .

I hold a feeler gauge of the appropriate thickness up against the nut and file until I hit the gauge. You can't go too low this way.

boris bubbanov · March 3rd, 2008, 12:43 PM

Newtwanger, I guess those of us touting the pre-cut 1 + 11/16ths nuts should make sure everyone knows we are talking about a 1 + 3/8ths string array, measured E to E. Yes, I have a few 1.65 total nut width and narrower necks that have a slightly narrower stock string array than that. But, I prefer the standard 1 + 3/8ths string array; it is what allows me to play best.
I've even got a precut 1 + 3/8ths string array graphtech nut on two big girth rosewood necks, one Fatback and one Boatneck, which have a true 1 + 5/8ths ( 1.625 ) nut width, and this leaves me with only an 1/8ths to spare on each side, and yet I'm eating this up; I think they're extremely fast and playable. I finally realized I am uncomfortable with some narrow at the nut necks not because of the neck width but because of a too narrow string array, and I can fix that with a 1 + 3/8ths array precut. Great.

Easydog · March 3rd, 2008, 02:11 PM

I dont understand the baking soda/super glue thing.

newtwanger · March 3rd, 2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris B

I've even got a precut 1 + 3/8ths string array graphtech nut on two big girth rosewood necks, one Fatback and one Boatneck, which have a true 1 + 5/8ths ( 1.625 ) nut width, and this leaves me with only an 1/8ths to spare on each side, and yet I'm eating this up; I think they're extremely fast and playable.

OK Boris, again with the logic..

I'll put the nut in and string it up tonight before I post pics of the new beast. I'll see how I like it by actually playing it rather than going by what my eyes tell me.

cotecj · March 3rd, 2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easydog

I dont understand the baking soda/super glue thing.

If you mix baking soda and superglue, you get some kind of polymerization chemical reaction. Do a google search, and you will find that it's a popular technique for model makers and all other kinds of crafts and hobbies. For guitarists, you can use it to fill in a nut slot that is too deep. Put a drop of superglue in the nut slot, filling it 1/3 to 1/2 full, then grab a pinch of baking soda and pack it into the nut slot on top of the superglue. It hardens instantly into a rock hard solid that you can then reshape with a nut file to the proper depth.

John Thigpen · March 4th, 2008, 12:52 PM

When I make nuts, I save the bone dust in a little jar, and I use it with superglue when I need to fill in nut slots. It works fine, and seems more natural to me. Anyone know how this compares to the baking soda in terms of hardness/tone?

John

Vizcaster · March 4th, 2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Thigpen

When I make nuts, I save the bone dust in a little jar, and I use it with superglue when I need to fill in nut slots. It works fine, and seems more natural to me. Anyone know how this compares to the baking soda in terms of hardness/tone?

John

I'd love to know, because for me the baking soda thing comes out a little gritty and bone dust makes a smoother slot once you file and polish it (you know, on those rare, rare occasions where I screw up a nut slot). Any comparisons on the longevity of the two recipes?

maestrovert · March 4th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Heya Dave, check out TDPRI'er extraordinaire Rob DiStefano's website; www.frettech.com !
Click on info, among other things, you'll find a nut making tutorial that should be helpful to ya....

February 27th, 2008, 10:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
mojocasterman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,279	Installing a nut on a Tele neck... ... more to it than meets the eye? Anyone has a cool link to offer, or interesting advice? I have a nutless neck - I know, I know, it doesn't sound right... - and a brand new Tusq nut. The nut has that funny little tab thing at the bottom... Anyway, who's got the knowledge? :) __________________ Lentz HSL - McNaught SC Jr - Tom Anderson Cobra w/ 3 P90s - Crook Custom Tele w/ Lollar & TV Jones - Trussart Deluxe Steelcaster - Vinetto Legato - Grosh Bent Top S - SRV Strat - Ovation Elite T - Dr. Z. Carmen Ghia & Mini Z - Fender Tweed Blues Junior.

February 28th, 2008, 01:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,772 17 Photos	1st off...just lay a known straight edge in the nut slot, and see if it rocks...then you'll know if you have a radiused nut slot or not ?....and just go from there. __________________ I have never owned an Ipod or Blackberry..and doubt that I ever will......

February 28th, 2008, 01:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,556	Over at the institute of noise, Squier 51 modders forum there is a skinny called Spacklehoss. That tutorial will take you step at a time all the way through the process. I sand differing amounts off the underside of the precut nut depending on the depth of the existing nut slot. If you are patient you may get a result requiring no tweaking (my opinion and mine only, maybe) of the slots themselves. Remember you can not add material back on, only take off material, so go slow. __________________ Bubban0v

March 1st, 2008, 07:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
mojocasterman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,279	great advice. Thanks all! __________________ Lentz HSL - McNaught SC Jr - Tom Anderson Cobra w/ 3 P90s - Crook Custom Tele w/ Lollar & TV Jones - Trussart Deluxe Steelcaster - Vinetto Legato - Grosh Bent Top S - SRV Strat - Ovation Elite T - Dr. Z. Carmen Ghia & Mini Z - Fender Tweed Blues Junior.

March 1st, 2008, 09:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,842	+1 on the tips, gents! __________________ *we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun.*

February 27th, 2008, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
sean79 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: northcentral/western Pennsylvania Posts: 1,909 9 Photos	Is it pre-slotted? I put a pre-slotted Tusq nut on one of my guitars a while back. If your slot is flat, leave the tab thing. If your slot is curved, sand it (or some of it) off. Mine fit nice and tight in the slot (I think I sanded it a little "skinnier" to make it fit) - I didn't put any glue in it at all. Someone who knew what he was doing might check the nut relief and adjust the string slots or nut height accordingly. Not me, and it seemed to work just fine.

February 27th, 2008, 10:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Caper Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,169 7 Photos	For starters determine what radius neck you have. Get out some sandpaper and try to find a cylinder that approximates your neck radius. I usually tape some masking tape to a metal can or whatever I can find and sand and check and sand and check. Take your time, check and recheck you don't want it too low or your strings will buzz. You just want the strings to clear the first fret. Stewmac has a good tutorial. Remember it's not rocket science but there are basics you need to know, you'll find these here: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...0.html#details

March 1st, 2008, 09:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,913	If you do file your own , and go too low , then a little baking soda over super glue will repair it ready to be sanded again . The key is a ' little ' , as it sets rock hard so you don't want to over do it . The chances are though that the nut will be close in the first place . Baking soda is every luthiers friend , and also great for repairing chips too .

March 2nd, 2008, 11:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
valriver 1940 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: winnipeg mb. canada Age: 68 Posts: 52	I Have Filling My Nuts For A Few Years Now. Somehow That Sounds Funny. I Have Been Using A Material Called Micarta, Left Over From My Knife Making Handle Days. Try And Try And You Will Succed.

March 3rd, 2008, 11:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
newtwanger Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 817 5 Photos	I just got a Tusq slotted nut for my build and to my suprise..it's unusable! (and it's the correct "PQ-5000-00 - Tusq Nut Slotted Strat Style") The slot spacing is much wider than the spacing on my other tele and on my cheap plastic nut. both Es would be riding the edge of the fretboard. The site says the E to E is 1 3/8 (1.380). didn't measure my others but they are much narrower. Guess I'll be buying a not-slotted one and do my own or use the cheapie nut for a bit. __________________ _________________

March 3rd, 2008, 12:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,556	Newtwanger, I guess those of us touting the pre-cut 1 + 11/16ths nuts should make sure everyone knows we are talking about a 1 + 3/8ths string array, measured E to E. Yes, I have a few 1.65 total nut width and narrower necks that have a slightly narrower stock string array than that. But, I prefer the standard 1 + 3/8ths string array; it is what allows me to play best. I've even got a precut 1 + 3/8ths string array graphtech nut on two big girth rosewood necks, one Fatback and one Boatneck, which have a true 1 + 5/8ths ( 1.625 ) nut width, and this leaves me with only an 1/8ths to spare on each side, and yet I'm eating this up; I think they're extremely fast and playable. I finally realized I am uncomfortable with some narrow at the nut necks not because of the neck width but because of a too narrow string array, and I can fix that with a 1 + 3/8ths array precut. Great. __________________ Bubban0v

March 3rd, 2008, 02:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
Easydog Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 266	I dont understand the baking soda/super glue thing. __________________ Guitars are shaped like ladies.

March 4th, 2008, 12:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
John Thigpen Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Rock Hill, SC Age: 53 Posts: 182	When I make nuts, I save the bone dust in a little jar, and I use it with superglue when I need to fill in nut slots. It works fine, and seems more natural to me. Anyone know how this compares to the baking soda in terms of hardness/tone? John

March 4th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,542	Heya Dave, check out TDPRI'er extraordinaire Rob DiStefano's website; www.frettech.com ! Click on info, among other things, you'll find a nut making tutorial that should be helpful to ya.... __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net