MarkE Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Hi, I was just re-stringing my J-45 well giving it a clean before stringing. I was holding the neck just below the nut gently with my left hand and cleaning the back of the neck with my right hand. I moved my left hand very slightly and the nut popped off! In 35 years of playing guitar that's never happened before. I never fitted a nut before (I'm not very handy in that way). I haven't got any glue here at the moment. What type of glue would you use to stick it back on? It seems like an easy job but given that I'm not very handy, would it be wiser to get someone else to do it? Thanks, (A stunned) Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Just a little dot of white glue is fine. There's no side tension on it or anything, you just want to stick it in place. You want the glue joint to be intentionally weak so if/when the day comes when the nut needs to be removed it will pop off with little effort and likely no damage to the nut or neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Hi' date=' I was just re-stringing my J-45 well giving it a clean before stringing. I was holding the neck just below the nut gently with my left hand and cleaning the back of the neck with my right hand. I moved my left hand very slightly and the nut popped off! In 35 years of playing guitar that's never happened before. I never fitted a nut before (I'm not very handy in that way). I haven't got any glue here at the moment. What type of glue would you use to stick it back on? It seems like an easy job but given that I'm not very handy, would it be wiser to get someone else to do it? Thanks, (A stunned) Mark [/quote'] I don't know what kind of glue either, but someone will be along who does. I do know it is important to use the correct glue, so if you ever need to replace the nut, 1/2 the fret board doesn't come off with it. OOPS!! late again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkE Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Thanks ksdaddy & Paul for your answers. I noticed that there was only a very small dab of glue on the nut which fits in with what you're saying. Should I clean the the nut to remove the old glue before sticking it back on? I no these are pretty dumb questions but I don't want to mess this up! Thanks, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Just remember to glue the FACE of the nut to the end of the fretboard, NOT the BOTTOM of the nut to the nut slot! I use a dab of superglue. Works great. Also, protect the top surface of the fretboard against any glue squeeze-out. If you use white glue, just clean up with a damp rag. With superglue, I dab a little paste wax on the top surface of the fretboard with a Q-Tip heated with a hairdryer. If your nut didn't just pop out at you, but you want to remove it for replacement or whatever, don't forget to score the ends and the edge that faces the headstock with a razor blade to break the seal of the lacquer or you'll take chunks of the finish with the nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 No such thing as a dumb question. Yes, clean it but just scrape it clean, don't try any solvents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkE Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Thanks again. I'll get some glue in the morning and give it a go. I'll let you know if I manage to mess it up or not. Thanks, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Don't worry mon!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkE Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Actually, it's just crossed my mind, do I 'have' to glue it back? Wouldn't the pressure of the strings keep it in place reliably? Thanks, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Actually' date=' it's just crossed my mind, do I 'have' to glue it back? Wouldn't the pressure of the strings keep it in place reliably? Thanks, Mark [/quote'] Yes the pressure of the strings will keep it on although sometimes they slip to the side on guitars with six on side tuners. Then, of course, the nut will fall off each time you change strings. Glue it... a little dab 'l do ya! (am I dating myself again? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 The same thing happened to my J-45 last year and I did just what KSDADDY said. I've changed strings 3 or 4 times since and all is A-OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLiveSoundGuy Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 {snip}... a little dab 'l do ya! (am I dating myself again? :- ) Nothing wrong with a little Bryllcream. But I wouldn't use it on your nut. It'll burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I dated myself all through Junior High. Come to think of it, I started wearing glasses about that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 THe nut will have the tendency to want to tilt towards the saddle if not glued in place. Better glue it. Hard to screw up, line up the ends of the nut with the fret board. Let it dry over night.. Oh, yeah, slots up! Sure enough, "A little dab'll do ya." turns out it was the product's undoing. When sales fell off, the marketing dept at Brylcream did a study. One tube of that stuff is about 7 year supply! Not such a good idea for repeat business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 It is tough when someone loses their nut.....Well you've got another I trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewoody Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Tommy K wrote: Sure enough, "A little dab'll do ya." turns out it was the product's undoing. When sales fell off, the marketing dept at Brylcream did a study. One tube of that stuff is about 7 year supply! :) Not such a good idea for repeat business. Just an aside, to prove a counterpoint from the same period--one of the great marketing moves were these three words: "lather, rinse, repeat." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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