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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:24 am
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dfrain wrote:
Just got to adjust to the E-strings being prone to falling off the fret board when fretting them.


If that's what you prefer to having a narrower spacing, more power to you. That may not be acceptable to someone else.

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:27 am
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donnycraven wrote:
You sure do post good lol.
And ok guys I don't know what I'm talking about carry on.
I will remember not to post in anymore of your threads Bill because you are so much smarter than me.
How dare I :roll: :lol:


Since you seem to be unwilling or unable to address the issues raised, you resort to insults. Very professional. :roll:

I'll be happy to go back to the amp forums and let you continue to dish out advice in the guitar forums.

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:28 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Donnycraven you did not answer to what tigerBB ask !


Not worth wasting any more time. I'm outta here.

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:28 am
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stratele52 wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
1. You continue to ignore the OP's concern. He wants a wider string spacing. The width and height of the nut is secondary as it will be cut down to fit the neck regardless.

2. You are assuming that the OP has the capability to install the nut himself as opposed to paying someone to do it for him. Removing the old nut, installing the new nut, properly slotting the new nut (no pre-cut nut is properly slotted to the correct string depth), removing the new nut if it fails to meet expectations, and reinstalling the old nut (assuming it is still usable) will cost more than $10 if done by a professional. Before undertaking such an effort, any professional would measure the available space on the nut to determine if the string spacing can be made any wider to suit the owner's needs.

3. Yes, I know how and have installed and slotted nuts. I worked for 5 months for a custom luthier doing guitar repair (both electronic and mechanical). I modify and repair all of my own guitars although my specialty is amps (I have a BSEE and studied vacuum tubes in college). Stratele52 is a professional guitar and amp tech.



+1


Your kind of the YES man aint you? LOL

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:45 am
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Well, sorry if my question ruffled some feathers. :)

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback. I've taken measurements and done some research and decided I'll give it a try. I've ordered the tusq nut ($10) and I also ordered a standard series tremelo ($20). Both the nut and the tremelo assembly should have very slightly wider string spacing.

Neither of these items will cause any permanent change in the Strat, so if it doesn't work out I can always go back to what I've got now. I'm fully capable of doing all the work myself so the total cost of this little project is only $30.

Maybe I'll end up keeping only the nut or only the tremelo or neither or both. We'll see. Anyway, I'll post the results when it's done. Thanks again to everyone for their input.

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:53 am
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Tiger88 wrote:
Well, sorry if my question ruffled some feathers. :)

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback. I've taken measurements and done some research and decided I'll give it a try. I've ordered the tusq nut ($10) and I also ordered a standard series tremelo ($20). Both the nut and the tremelo assembly should have very slightly wider string spacing.

Neither of these items will cause any permanent change in the Strat, so if it doesn't work out I can always go back to what I've got now. I'm fully capable of doing all the work myself so the total cost of this little project is only $30.

Maybe I'll end up keeping only the nut or only the tremelo or neither or both. We'll see. Anyway, I'll post the results when it's done. Thanks again to everyone for their input.



Don't worry about it we are all know it alls here.

Changing the Nut is quite simple there are you tube videos on it
There is one with an old guy who is real good.
If its to tight in the slot a little sandpaper will help.
I just take off the strings use a little ball peen hammer and a 3/32 craftsman punch.
Lightly tap the nut on one side and it slides a little out of the slot.
then you can lift it out.
I use 2 small drops of superglue on each side of the slot to hold the tusq in.
Works like a charm, everytime.

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 2:02 pm
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So, this morning I did the upgrades on my Strat. I used the Tusq XL nut (PQL-5000-00) and the Fender Vintage-Style Standard Tremelo (007-1014-000).

Both the nut and the tremelo are used for Standard Strats. I don't have the specs on the tremelo, but I didn't really see or measure any difference in the width compared to my Mexican tremelo. Still, I installed it because it's heavier (by 60 grams) so it's supposed to increase sustain.

The string spacing on the nut is only very slightly wider. The ends of the nut had to be filed down to fit the neck on my Mexican Strat and the little tab had to be filed off the bottom. With just a little bit of light sanding it was pretty much just a drop in replacement.

I just spent the last hour playing my "new" guitar. Although the difference in string spacing is very small it did seem that it was easier to play chords and the chords played cleaner. There is still plenty of room between the strings and the edge of the fretboard, no problems with strings sliding off the edge.

Replacing the nut seemed to imrove the playability of the guitar. If you feel the strings are too close together on a Mexican Strat I'd recommend changing out the nut. If you can do it yourself it's only $10 from Amazon. I don't know that I'd bother with the tremelo assembly.

While I had it apart I also polished the frets, cleaned and oiled the fretboard, installed locking tuners and an upgraded string tree. Also, installed new strings and am in the process of doing a complete setup (just giving the strings a little time to settle in). All in all I'm very happy with the results.

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:12 pm
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Yes :) little things mean so much :)

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Post subject: Re: Replace narrow nut with a wider one?
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:27 pm
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Tiger88 wrote:
I guess the only other alternative is to replace the neck, but that's a lot more expensive than just putting in a new nut.

Hi Tiger88: those are not the only alternatives.

Sounds like maybe you're set now with your new nut. But just for the sake of the discussion, it hasn't yet been mentioned on this thread that it is a perfectly simple thing to replace a nut with string spacing you don't like with a blank nut and then cut the string slots exactly where you want them. Of course, for that you need a set of nut files, which are not cheap, and a certain amount of basic skill.

Alternatively, it is a normal and reasonable thing to ask a guitar tech/luthier to do this job for you. Luthiers cut new nuts all the time: this is a simple task. They will charge more than just the price of a pre-slotted TUSQ nut, but not silly money.

So if you're still not quite satisfied with your string spread, take the guitar to a tech and tell him your needs. This is entry level stuff for a decent service guy.

Cheers - C

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