So I ordered a new bridge and new nut for my Maestro, but I have never slotted before. It seems fairly straightforward, but I was looking for any help, tricks, tips, things to NOT do. Any help would be appreciaited

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Hi Ceallach: slotting the saddles, you mean?

Care to post a link to the type of bridge you've ordered so's we can see what you'll be working with, please?

Cheers - C

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Your best bet with slot position on the nut is to remove the old nut in one piece. Then simply use it as a template with which to slot the new nut. Far easier than fiddling around with rules and hard to read measurements.

Or if you want to go fresh, use this.

http://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/fret-and-nut-calculators/nut-calculator/

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No no and no

Saddles and the nut

Bridge

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_ta ... ridge.html

And the nut I just ordered a Bone slab for Gibson style=\

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D'oh - I didn't read the first post properly. We're talking about slotting the nut as well. Pay attention, Ceri!

Ceallach, you're safe in Nikininja's hands, but I can dig out some photos too if it would be useful. Just shout...

Cheers - C

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Ceallach, I think that bridge comes with the saddles ready slotted and radiused to 12 inches, no? If so, that should fit your Maestro without further adjustment, though perhaps a bit of a polish of the saddle slots with abrasive chord or even dental floss might make things work more smoothly.

What's interesting me is fitting the bridge - I believe you said on another thread that the posts had snapped on the previous one and you were having difficulty getting the stumps out? I'd be most interested to see photos of that if you want to show them. How are you getting on with it?

The bridge you've chosen is a good one because of the adjustments it permits. However, it is still important to get the posts installed in the right place.

Cheers - C

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ya'll knew this was coming.
just saw it done on two of mine using this method. it was a breeze, fast and easy.
i marked the second one myself while the first was being cut. no issues no regrets.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Strai ... eo#details

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Can't post photos, using DOD internet=\

I popped the bushings out with the snapped studs in them and bought new bushings and studs. It's funny, I've been playing for years, but I've never done much more than a pup change, but I find this guitar so absolutely incompetent for what I want/need that I'm venturing into things I previously never would have touched on my own. I went with a cheapie that I woudn't care if it got destroyed and am now way more in parts than I did for the guitar. But I expect this to be a great learning experience and if I $@!& up better on this than a Jag or Strat.

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Look at this picture.



Look at the string spacing up to the bridge! If your's is like that, use the calculator I posted a link to. Don't copy the existing hardware.

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No no and no

Streuth!

Luckily, I don't think Ceallach's new bridge would allow him to do that even if he wanted to - for some very weird reason!

Ceallach, if you'll permit me to be so shameless I'll just link to a thread I did that included slotting a nut; rather than type it all out again here. It happens to be a compensated nut but ignore that aspect of it. Getting the slot depths right is the same and that's the important bit. As you'll see, I think automotive feeler gauges (very cheap to buy) make this job much easier, though they're not essential:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30747&start=1320

Good luck - C

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Hm, that looks spaced different than mine was, I have the LP style, and it was seemingly evenly spaced.

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Awesome, great info from both of you guys! Luckily, I'm a Special Warfare Combatantcraft Crewman, so I work on precision munitions and electronics, giving me access to some excellent tools out here. We have a few types of feelers used for the M61A1 that seem like they would be useful. Now I am gonna feel like I'm wasting US taxpayer money by putting it to use on a guitar

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