It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:59 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Blacktop Strat - Replace nut - need measurements
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:07 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:35 am
Posts: 3
Hello!
I bought a used Blacktop strat and noticed the nut is in bad shape. I want to replace it with a bone or TUSQ nut.
I couldn't find anything on the net with the measurements, and, since this is the first time I've had to replace a nut, I'm a bit insecure.
So, would any of you guys know the measurements of the Blacktop strat (Length, Width, Height and E to E)?
Also, since I'm already here embarrassing myself, would you recommend any good replacement nuts? I use regular .10-.46 strings.

Thank you!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Blacktop Strat - Replace nut - need measurements
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:42 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
String size really isn't that important since you will be slotting / filing the string slots yourself...
The recommendation is to .....

(1) source out string slot files... These are different than normal files, they are correctly sized for various strings, but most importantly, they cut / file a round bottom groove for the strings...
Square doesn't cut it :wink: and strings bind in a square groove..

(2) Know exactly what to do, hence buying a DIY book and practicing on a couple of other guitars .
(3) best is to buy a nut that is roughly shaped, but you will need to sand it to height ( contoured )
then to width as it should fit in the neck slot snugly.
Material choice is up to you, but Bone, Tusk ( not at all the real thing but a very dense man made material ), Brass or plastic ( Corian ) will all work but will affect tone according to the nut's density.

There are more steps but if you have not ever attempted this, then let someone like a skilled tech do it.
If you make incorrect slots or adjustments your guitar will not intone correctly and you'll then need to take it to that tech...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blacktop Strat - Replace nut - need measurements
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:04 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:35 am
Posts: 3
53magnatone wrote:
String size really isn't that important since you will be slotting / filing the string slots yourself...
The recommendation is to .....

(1) source out string slot files... These are different than normal files, they are correctly sized for various strings, but most importantly, they cut / file a round bottom groove for the strings...
Square doesn't cut it :wink: and strings bind in a square groove..

(2) Know exactly what to do, hence buying a DIY book and practicing on a couple of other guitars .
(3) best is to buy a nut that is roughly shaped, but you will need to sand it to height ( contoured )
then to width as it should fit in the neck slot snugly.
Material choice is up to you, but Bone, Tusk ( not at all the real thing but a very dense man made material ), Brass or plastic ( Corian ) will all work but will affect tone according to the nut's density.

There are more steps but if you have not ever attempted this, then let someone like a skilled tech do it.
If you make incorrect slots or adjustments your guitar will not intone correctly and you'll then need to take it to that tech...


Thanks for the quick reply!

I'm not going to attempt replacing the nut myself - I'll take the guitar to a luthier. I want to buy the nut online though because it is so much cheaper (I live in Brazil). But I would need to know the measurements before I choose the model. The difference between the models is so small that I'm afraid I may screw up if I measure them myself. I searched on forums and on Fender's website, but did not find that info. I also emailed their CR but haven't heard back from the yet.

I saw lots of people recommending graph tech TUSQ and TUSQ XL nuts, but I'm not sure about the measurements of the Blacktop so I don't know which one to buy. There are several options and it's a bit daunting.

So, I understand that if I buy an unslotted nut, I won't have to worry too much about string spacing because the luthier can carve the slots according to my guitar's specs.

I'm more inclined towards buying a pre-slotted nut though, like this one:
http://www.graphtech.com/products/brand ... 065e05d3e7

Any thoughts?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blacktop Strat - Replace nut - need measurements
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:32 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
mmurrer, welcome to the forums. If I understand correctly you have the guitar in hand, so take the Nut out of the guitar, measure it and assure yourself that the bottom of the nut is radiused or flat (not likely).

You have access to the internet, go on the Tusq site and they diagram the measurements you will need.

http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/tusq-xl/tusq-xl-guitar-nuts

Recently I bought a Tusq XL Nut in Aged Ivory color, pre-slotted, part # PQL-5000-AG, with the radiused bottom for my Fender Jimmie Vaughan Strat neck.

I had to file the adaptor nub off the bottom and do a little sanding to make it fit snugly. Turned out very nice, especially for my first Nut job. I had bought new Uo-Chikyu 10-46 Nut files from JAParts and they are great files and nice people to deal with.

http://www.japarts.ca/Uo-Chikyu/Uo-Chikyu-Products-Featured.asp

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blacktop Strat - Replace nut - need measurements
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:19 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
Here is why not to get a pre slotted nut... Whatever one may think, each neck is going to be incrementally smaller or larger in dimensions then the next... This has as much to do with moisture content in the wood as well as neck size....

A nut blank is half the price, bone is fine or Tusq although I myself prefer bone.
Bone is easiest to work with and is denser than Tusq.
A blank will allow your tech to slot the strings exactly where they should be for your particular neck... it will fit exactly length wise as well as thickness.
It only takes a good reputable tech about 15 minutes to remove the old nut, shape the new one to fit exactly and restring and then file the string slots...

If you have done a few or a few dozen of these, it's really a simple job...
You should be able to find an appropriate bone nut in Brazil, especially when one considers the number of classical guitar builder's in your country...
Your tech should have a good inventory of nuts made of different material...
Save yourself the hassle and cost of ordering and just take your guitar to him / her and have that person pick a nut, you confirm it and let him / her install..
It should be no more than an hour's worth of time from arriving, choosing the nut, to the removal, reinstall and leaving the repair shop.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blacktop Strat - Replace nut - need measurements
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 8:27 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:35 am
Posts: 3
53magnatone wrote:
Here is why not to get a pre slotted nut... Whatever one may think, each neck is going to be incrementally smaller or larger in dimensions then the next... This has as much to do with moisture content in the wood as well as neck size....

A nut blank is half the price, bone is fine or Tusq although I myself prefer bone.
Bone is easiest to work with and is denser than Tusq.
A blank will allow your tech to slot the strings exactly where they should be for your particular neck... it will fit exactly length wise as well as thickness.
It only takes a good reputable tech about 15 minutes to remove the old nut, shape the new one to fit exactly and restring and then file the string slots...

If you have done a few or a few dozen of these, it's really a simple job...
You should be able to find an appropriate bone nut in Brazil, especially when one considers the number of classical guitar builder's in your country...
Your tech should have a good inventory of nuts made of different material...
Save yourself the hassle and cost of ordering and just take your guitar to him / her and have that person pick a nut, you confirm it and let him / her install..
It should be no more than an hour's worth of time from arriving, choosing the nut, to the removal, reinstall and leaving the repair shop.


Wow! :shock:
Thanks so much!
It is settled then. Thank you guys for all the great advice.
Great forum btw, I'm salivating looking at all those guitars.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: