Hey guys what do You recommend on a replacement nut for a mim strat that is binding and causing tuning issues?TIA

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Everything belongs to JESUS!

1998 Fender Deluxe Super Strat
2008 PRS SE Singlecut

Marshall MgHD100FX single
Line6 Spider ll
Crate Kx 15


Digitech GNX1
Boss DS-1 pedal

Have you lubricated the nut slots, first of all? Nut Sauce is good, but a spot of lip salve in each slot will do just as well. Don't forget to do the underside of your string tee, as well.

If that doesn't sort it, you might need to widen the nut slots slightly using nut files - particularly if you're using heavier strings, for which the nut slots might not have originally been cut. Not a hard job, if you have the tools. Difficult, if you haven't - take it to a decent tech.

If all of the above doesn't help, I can recommend graphtech graphite nuts.
It was quite an improvement on one of my other strats.

Right now I have the same issue with my MiM strat. It goes out of tune fairly easily.

I have oiled string saddles where the string runs over the saddle, pivot points of the trem, nut and string trees. If that won't fix the problem, I'll replace the nut for a graphite one.

BTW, I never use any grease stuff because it tends to collect dirt like hell. I prefer machine oil (like those tiny oil bottles delivered with new electric razors).
It collects dirt as well but not as much as grease.

You can try either one and decide for yourself.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Just need to file the nut slot. It is much work to replace the nut. It is useful to know how to file nut because almost all guitar's nut are not at their best .

I use to use a pencil lead to rub in the nut slots for the graphite, it seemed to work well without the oil/dirt build up.

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1986 Kramer Baretta
1989 Samick "The Samick" Les Paul
2007 Fender Strat MIM Deluxe / 1985 MIJ neck
1990 Epiphone Strat
Marshall JCM 2000 DLS 50 watt / Marshall 1960a 4x12

https://soundcloud.com/jim-slimjim-cassi

Yes, that works as well.
I did that at first but I didn't like the black remains on white nuts. It's a purely optical reason, of course.
If you don't mind the black dust on your white nuts, you can do that as well.
Please use very soft pencils, the harder ones don't work that well, unless you scratch the graphite off with a knife edge or something.

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Here's a tip for those who don't want to spend the outrageous cost for nut files... clip the end of one of your string and glue it to the side of a popscile stick and viola instant file.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

I'm a big fan of unbleached bone. Look up Philtone Guitars. Phil Jacoby does amazing work.

I try this trick from Dan Erlwine it's work but it slow . We can't really use the first to 3rd string. I bought some nut files as I work very often on guitar

Is the LSR alternative worth looking at?
Even if one doesn't do a whole lot of whammying?

^^^^^^This. I'm a huge fan of bone nuts. It's all about tone.

+1 on the above link...I just ran across it a couple days ago.
Basically what I've been doing to my guitars as well.

I just get some Vaseline and some powdered graphite, which you can buy at a Hardware Store. Don't need much of either to do the bridge/nut and string trees.

Works for me on my MIM.

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

I don't believe nut material is much of a factor. My current nut is Corian, and I've had bone, etc.

Bottom line is, your nut isn't properly fitted, and you'll need to properly fit either your existing nut or the next one you buy.

There should be NO binding. No "ping", ever. I like to remove a string and then slide it back and forth in the nut slot, with some good down-pressure, and see if it glides smoothly. If it doesn't, either remedy it yourself, or have it done.

I took a poorly fitted nut to Elderly instruments in Lansing. Explained the problem. They worked on it. Still trouble. Worked on it again. Still trouble. Tech was a belligerent jerk. Said it was just fine. I found that there was still binding when I slid a string back and forth and tuning was not stable. He refused to any further work. I looked on their website and discovered that he used to be IN CHARGE OF FINAL SETUP AT FENDER! C'mon. I bought a file to fit the first slot, and then wrapped that file in 600 grit sandpaper to smooth the other slots. Night and day difference when I was done. So don't assume a "pro" is going to get it right. Check it yourself before and after.

Once all your strings glide smoothly, use a lubricant as others have suggested. A lubricant will help a poorly fitted nut, but never optimize it.

My personal choice is petroleum jelly. Lifetime supply costs 2 bucks. Apply it with a toothpick EVERY time you change strings.

I have a 2 point trem, set to fully float. My guitar stays in tune. Every bit as well as a non trem guitar. Honest. Seriously, I've played over 40 years, have owned es335's, 1952 Les Paul, 1972 Les Paul, several SGs, G&L, Telecasters, and a few Strats. No guitar has ever stayed in tune better than my current Strat with a properly fitted, smoothed and lubed nut.

Thanks everyone for all the replies and I will try each one until this axe will play in tune dive bombed

@smokinfrets,yeah I really like the tusq nut from graphtech too I replaced my stock nut easily on my prs with it and it stays in tune,but this nut on this strat is slotted into the fret board and I see it being really difficult to replace,

I will start with my wifes thin fingernail file to widen the slots until no ping,then lubricate it with lead,if lead doesnt work I will clean the lead off,then try a tad of petroleum jelly,if that doesnt work I will plan on replacing the nut with a tusq or look further into the unbleached bone nut

appreciate all the replies

_________________
Everything belongs to JESUS!

1998 Fender Deluxe Super Strat
2008 PRS SE Singlecut

Marshall MgHD100FX single
Line6 Spider ll
Crate Kx 15


Digitech GNX1
Boss DS-1 pedal