casino nut height

[modern image]

had a casino tusq. nut put in. action seems tighter/stiffer.

 

any reference material i can view for nut height. or anyone have any insight into this whatsoever.

i may have to bring it somewhere to have it reduced a bit. had a elite before and that was really easy on the fingers.

[Supersonic]

Hi,

I just put a Tusq nut in my SG. The great thing about it is that you can fit it to your liking by just using a little sandpaper. Mine was too high at first so I just ran the bottom back and forth over some sandpaper (stopping frequently and checking to make sure I wasn't sanding off too much) until it was to my liking. The tightness or stiffness that you speak of may be due to the fact that the slots aren't wide enough. Mine came pre-slotted, but I still had to make the slots a little bit wider with a little file. After messing around with it for a while, I got it pretty much exactly how I wanted it.

[brianh]

If you're up for doing it yourself, this might help:

 

[Whitmore Willy]

Modern image,

 

+1 on the post that Brianh put up.

Brian, I've seen that article and image before. Hope you're not offended if I put up the stew-mac link. (It is a little easier to read.)

 

Stewmac article:

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/String_action_and_setup/i-1811.html

 

Accompanying article:

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Nuts,_saddles/a-nuts.html

 

The two articles go together quite well but should probably be read in reverse order. In the 2nd article read the three paragraphs under Final Slot Height.

 

Now, for my two cents:

NO two guitars or guitar players are exactly alike.

I do use the advice above for the basics. But, consider that Finger pressure, Picking intensity and String gauge can also make a difference.

The whole idea is to NOT get string buzz on the first couple of frets when strumming or picking open strings.

First, strings vibrate more when in open position. (thus, the extra tolerance.)

 

Second and most important is how the guitar plays and is played. IMO

If slots are not cut higher than the first fret they will buzz...But... How much higher?

I like to get them as close as possible to the normal tolerance. Here is what I look for.

 

Press down on the first fret space. With the string touching the first fret look at the string clearance above the second fret.(presuming you aren't getting any buzz) If you add a few thousands to that for string vibration that is what I shoot for.

If a player is a hard picker then more tolerance is needed.

 

I have cut nuts for guys that play so light that the strings can be a cat's whisker away from the first fret. I pick harder and that would not work for me.

 

The other consideration is finger pressure.

If your guitar is intonated and in tune: If you press hard on the first fret and the note is 6c's sharp, lower slots may help. If you press light that may not be necessary. The further the string bends as you play the first few frets the more likely they are to go sharp.

 

Anyway, In the long run, getting it right is a mix of science and art.

Just remember once the slots are too low the nut is shot. (A filler mix of baking soda and super glue is only a temporary fix) Some save some of the nut dust and use that instead of baking soda...It's still not right. (can be applied with a tooth pick)

 

Good luck and good tuning,

 

Willy

[brianh]

+1 on the post that Brianh put up.

Brian, I've seen that article and image before. Hope you're not offended if I put up the stew-mac link. (It is a little easier to read.)

Not at all, I just couldn't find those links. That paragraph I posted is the page in my Erlewine book that's dogeared, has a tape flag and yellow highlighted at the height measurement part.

 

I always have it open when cutting a nut because I have the memory span of a fruit fly...

[jerrymac]

And make sure the neck relief is set properly before cutting the nut.

[Whitmore Willy]

And make sure the neck relief is set properly before cutting the nut.

 

+1...Thank you, Jerry

 

My bad.

Without the proper set up, any work on the nut is pointless.

 

Willy