Is there an easy way to raise A string nut height?!

[fretful]

My RW Tele has just developed a fair bit of fret buzz on the A string when played open although it's fine fretted. Presumably the nut has worn down a bit so without paying out for a proper set up just yet can I add a touch of super glue or something similar carefully to build up the groove a bit? I'm betting this is far more difficult than it sounds...

[otispoon]

I've had good luck filling a nut slot with fine filings of bone (or whatever the nut material is) and saturating with super glue then refiling the slot.

[fretful]

I expect I may need the skills of a pro... could the fret itself have risen slightly?

[lonewolf]

There is also a chance that the neck has become too flat, or even back-bowed or humped a bit. That would tend to make whichever strings are lowest at the nut, become too low, and start to buzz on open notes.

raising the nut slots with superglue isn't too hard to do, If you do try it yourself be careful with the superglue. Use some painters tape to cover all the area around the nut, so that if a bit drops on your guitar, it won't affect the finish.
Gene Warner
repairman

[mellecaster]

Don't know what the conditions are in your house in Kent...but I've got a Shop full of Customer's Instruments right now that all have lack of Humidity problems...not saying that's your problem, but it can contribute in many cases.

[dugums]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Don't know what the conditions are in your house in Kent...but I've got a Shop full of Customer's Instruments right now that all have lack of Humidity problems...not saying that's your problem, but it can contribute in many cases.

My tech always takes longer on work for me during the winter - all the people who don't humidify their guitars are in for their 'annual' setup. It's amazing that many of these people (some of my friends included) can't figure out why they always start buzzing like clockwork in Nov/Dec.

[Colt W. Knight]

Fill the slot full of pencil lead dust. See if that fixes your problem. Keep in mind its not permanent, but is a quick and dirty way to see if your slot needs a lil raising, other than that it needs to be checked out by a good tech.

[fretful]

Thanks all. How do you humidify a guitar that's uncased out on a stand the whole time? The weather here is moderate but central heating swings the climate indoors from over hot to cold again at this time of year...

[sonserve]

If it needs to be raised put a small piece of string in the nut slot. My D-28 has been like that for years. It needs a nut. One of these days, maybe.

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by fretful

Thanks all. How do you humidify a guitar that's uncased out on a stand the whole time? The weather here is moderate but central heating swings the climate indoors from over hot to cold again at this time of year...

A room humidifier, it mists water into the air.

[Manship83]

Another way that I find to check for a low nut slot is take a small peice of a little E string or B and put it in the nut slot. Its a simple yet effective way to check it. There should be just slightly more space between the string and the first fret than they are between the the second fret and the string when you hold the string down on the first fret. When ya go to build it up take some tape and cut it down really narrow, about a 1/4" wide and put it down each side of the nut this will help control where the super glue goes. then take a toothpick with a drop of super glue on it and drop it in the nut slot you wish to build up and add some dust from bone/plastic whatever the nut is made from. Then let it dry and recut your slot. until its right again.

Hope this helps!

[charlie chitlin]

I may be crazy, but I'm pretty sure the best way to check for a low nut slot is to look at the string and see if it's too close to the first fret.
I've had great luck fixing nuts with baking soda in the slot and add a drop of super glue.
As far as I can tell, it's basically a permanent fix.
One of my first outings with a nut file many years ago got me a too-deep slot, and the repair has held up just fine.

[chezdeluxe]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

I've had great luck fixing nuts with baking soda in the slot and add a drop of super glue.
As far as I can tell, it's basically a permanent fix.
One of my first outings with a nut file many years ago got me a too-deep slot, and the repair has held up just fine.

Yes Yes Yes.. I felt I had to bump this thread.

I fixed the A string slot nut on my Martin 00028 using this method 10 years ago and have just this morning fixed the B string slot on my 2008 Am Standard.