A Fast, Easy Way to Fix Your Nut Slot

Guitar World ^ | 2018-10-23 | Staff

[Rebelbase]

If your guitar's nut slot is cut too deep or shallow, this quick fix can save you both time and money.

Phillip McKnight—whose gear-centric videos we've featured on this here website many a time—recently released a new one that offers a quick and easy fix if your nut slot is cut too deep or shallow.

As it turns out, with just a few easily obtainable tools, you can save yourself some time and money, and fix this issue yourself!

Take a look, and as always, visit Phillip’s YouTube channel for more of his videos.

[Bullish]

That’s why you invest in a few small files, or like me, own a set of die makers files.

Y’all need a set of flat, automotive feeler gauges too.

Yeah, I have all that stuff and lots more. I'm a lifelong tool and die machinist, now retired, as well as a pro level, (working) bassist\guitarist. Your tips are spot on but I never want to use a file on a slot. For the nut I will lap them on a flat surface or grind stone if I need them shorter always trying to maintain a perfectly flat bottom. I'm talking about setting the nut, not cutting the string slots. For that I use a feeler gauge and a lot of exp. (smile)

[a fool in paradise]

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Yup (smile) but we don’t always have the luxury of being the 1st one to have some old collectible mathom land on our bench.

Gotta go in and clean up someone else’s mess. And sometimes that was a Fender style with binding on it and old glue already in it. Then I had to use the flat/90 degree chisel end on a file (with a q-tip of lacquer thinner) to dig it out 1st.

Had to dig old glue out of plenty of fret slots on Pauls and such too. Thinner, an exacto blade, and patience.

I think it’s funnier than all get out to see “experts” on youtube go on about how all the good “tonewood” was used up years ago.

To the best of my knowledge the Good Lord hasn’t reached down and changed the genes in mahogany and ebony trees in the last 20 years. As for Rosewood there’s at least 22 species going under that name. Cut it right, store it right , let it unwind and reach the right moisture content and you can build top end guitars that sound just as - “Oooh. This one’s Got that VooDoo” - as anything made in the 50s and 60s.

[knarf]

You posted this JUST for the title, DINT’cha’ ?

[Robert A Cook PE]

I’m only here for the pictures of the nut sluts.

[wastedyears]

I broke the nut on my Strat too. It was a shame really, I really liked how the strings felt with it.

[KevinB]

I hate when my nut slot is the wrong depth.

Like my dad used to say “These jeans remind me of a cheap hotel — no ballroom!”

LBJ ordering pants.

[dangus]

Sounds painful.

[Captain Rhino]

I’m right there with you. I knew the article was about guitars only due to the preview text that appears below the title. Then I thought, “Wow. Now there’s a title that will be subject to misinterpretation!”

[RegulatorCountry]

I guess front hole wasn’t going over so well. On to the next euphemism.

[Islander7]

Don’t put your drawers on backwards.

[itsahoot]

Try a Brass guitar nut. I think Gibson makes a titanium nut, and Aluminum has been used for years. There is also Zero Fret option. I can't play a lick but I have watched a lot of luthiers instead of news lately.

[backspace]

If there’s a guitar ping list throw me in too

[left that other site]

Someone have a FReeper guitar ping list?

If there is one, I would like to be on it.

[M Kehoe]

TTIWWP.

5.56mm

[Rebelbase]

[M Kehoe]

I thought you said “nut slut.”

My bad.

5.56mm

[TruthWillWin]

OK, I admit clicking into this thread based on the title alone.

Same

[Verbosus]

I would sign up myself.

[Rebelbase]

Guitar and Bass ping list testing!