Replacing the nut - help?

[docleelau]

I would very much like to replace the piece of junk nut on both my JMJM and VM Jag.... I play with 11s and they flat out do not fit into the VM jag's nut.

Question is - is that easy to do on your own?? and If so - how is it done?

[missionguitars]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Nut-Fil ... f-8/T25458

I'd say get these, but unless you are doing this all the time, you might want to just use torch cleaners, or better yet, just take it to your guitar tech to do it and have him or her adjust the truss rod, etc., for the newer heavy gauge strings...

[Fenderguy]

Yes, buy a set of nice nutfiles, and be sure to get the right sizes.
They do cost, but it's totally worth it.

[docleelau]

thanks to both of you.... I appreciate it.

Never taken one to a tech for this before... is it expensive?? I dont mind supporting a local dude if it isnt going to cost me an arm and a leg.

And for the nut file route how do I know what sizes I need??

[Fenderguy]

I`ve got these:
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... Files.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The sizes I got: 013, 016, 024, 035, 046, 056. Have made lots of nuts with these

[docleelau]

how do you know where to cut the slots?? do you just string it up and mark where the strings fall?

[fresh1megpots]

Some nuts will come with the slots already pre started to give you a reference but I have also seen some replacement parts that are just 'blanks' - there are no "pre-made" adjustments at all, in which you simply get a perfect rectangle with flat sides.

Fender has a preshaped/preslotted vintage bone nut replacement, but i wonder if it will be a perfect fit for various necks/styles?

Does anyone have any experience replacing the nuts on a SJMJM, or a VM JM?

There are a few decent videos out there from fender, stewmac, and a few other luthiers I have seen bouncing around the internet…Would be great to know if anyone has a specific tutorial/walkthrough that they feel is most helpful.

[sleepkid]

how do you know where to cut the slots?? do you just string it up and mark where the strings fall?

No.

Rough in your nut so that it fits your slot, then measure in 2.5 - 3mm (this depends somewhat on the width of the neck at the nut and the gauge of strings you are setting up for) in from the outer edge to get your E string marks. I typically bring the low E in just a hair more (because the thickness of the string will actually set it off back towards the edge). Then divide your spacing evenly for the rest of your strings between those marks. (math time divide the remaining distance by five I think.)

But really what you do nowadays is instead of bending your head around a little math, you just use this string spacing ruler and save yourself a lot of time and grief.

Once you get your marks done, eyeball it and make sure that they're right. You can even cut a little starting groove and rest the strings on it to see if that is going to give you the results you want. Adjust accordingly if you feel something is slightly off.

[jorri]

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Re ... Setup.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
really need to read this, its not that complicated but a few specialist tools are needed and can cost quite a bit for files, and of course the potential of going too far by a fraction of a hair and having to start again on a new nut. At their price I could only justify that after maybe ten guitars that all had similar string guages used on them but i have a bass, a baritone, a standard guitar and an acoustic with a zero fret so its really not for me.

usually get someone to do it is the cheap and sure way.

third option:
I bought a pre-slotted nut, which takes most the work and risk out though, used welding tip cleaner files from ebay (they are cheekily sold for extortionate amounts as guitar files and they really are nothing special, you can search for welding tip cleaners and find them cheap). That was just to change the slots and widen them mostly, where most the height was taken off the bottom of the nut carefully so that the slots wouldn't be ruined. I'm not sure why i didn't go to the shop to be honest, I guess because i end up tweaking things after anyway, also it looks slightly less professional and but it works fine.

[tammyw]

Unfortunately it's hard to find a pre-slotted nut in the right spacing. I've seen pre-slotted Graphtech nuts installed on a Jagmaster and CIJ Mustang, and they put both E's too close to the edges of the frets. They work great on an Am Std Strat, but even a Squier Strat has a narrower neck.

And the first couple times I tried to cut a nut from a blank, the results were almost worse than the original. It's easy to screw up and takes some experience to do it well.

Not to put you off, if you want to invest in the tools and time and patience, it's great to be able to do it yourself. I use some of the Stew-Mac and also some jeweler's saws and files.

[Fenderguy]

Instead of trying to explain it myself, here`s how I do it:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-de ... orial.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seems a bit complicated at first, but do a few nuts, and it`ll be allright

But I often use the allparts pre-slotted bone nuts. I think they`re great, and it saves me much time.

[docleelau]

This is great... Thanks everyone!