Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
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- GrantB
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
Doing a nut job yourself always ends up costing you
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- codedog
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
+1 for Alan F, he's a working man's stringed instrument tech - sharp pricing and great service. I have only done a nut job on my cheapo ukulele and yes, cocked that one up too. Now the C string is bouncing out of the slot when strummed too hard. Still can't be arsed fixing it (shimming and cutting)... should've just taken it to Alan.
Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
Thanks for all the helpful comments guys. I'm probably going to take it into Alan F next week, the neck is from my early 90's Strat and I'd be gutted if I screwed it up!chur wrote:Alan F in chch put a new bone one into my Les Paul for about $30, while I like DIY it didn't seem cost effective for me to give it a nudge. (and risk screwing it up)
- NippleWrestler
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
I've installed and replaced about 20 nuts in my life. You can buy straight dropins from a variety of manufacturers, addressing the "will it fit" question. I have had zero problems in my guitars or on other guitars I've worked on. Replacing a nut is definitely doable by a novice.
Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
What's the best way to remove the old nut?NippleWrestler wrote:I've installed and replaced about 20 nuts in my life. You can buy straight dropins from a variety of manufacturers, addressing the "will it fit" question. I have had zero problems in my guitars or on other guitars I've worked on. Replacing a nut is definitely doable by a novice.
- GrantB
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
Give it a go! You might be fine.
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- Bg
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
Hammer and chisel.... score all around it with a stanley knife then get something sharp under the outside edge (like a small screwdriver) and tap it upwards. With a bit of luck it'll come out without taking woodMini Forklift Ⓥ wrote:What's the best way to remove the old nut?NippleWrestler wrote:I've installed and replaced about 20 nuts in my life. You can buy straight dropins from a variety of manufacturers, addressing the "will it fit" question. I have had zero problems in my guitars or on other guitars I've worked on. Replacing a nut is definitely doable by a novice.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- Bg
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
A block of wood laid flat on the fretboard and tapped against the nut. That always worked for me and somehow felt safer.Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote: What's the best way to remove the old nut?
- Bg
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
I must be getting old....Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote:What's the best way to remove the old nut?NippleWrestler wrote:I've installed and replaced about 20 nuts in my life. You can buy straight dropins from a variety of manufacturers, addressing the "will it fit" question. I have had zero problems in my guitars or on other guitars I've worked on. Replacing a nut is definitely doable by a novice.
Two bricks is the accepted way, dangle the pair between or just the afflicted one and have a close friend clap the bricks together - SMASH, no more worrisome nuts!
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- Bg
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
all joking aside. follow the stewmac methods atcodedog wrote:A block of wood laid flat on the fretboard and tapped against the nut. That always worked for me and somehow felt safer.Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote: What's the best way to remove the old nut?
http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Re ... Setup.html
You don't need their umpteen special tools....
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
For the price Alan F charges, I'd get him to do it. As I'm assuming Grant B is subtly alluding to above, while using a pre-slotted nut will get you close, to get it perfect to suit your neck, string spacing, gauge and personal action etc spot on, getting it done by a pro would be money well spent. Even if Alan uses pre-slotted nuts, he will file the slots to suit your needs.
Just my 2c.
Just my 2c.
- jeremyb
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?
*fixxored*Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote:Thanks for all the helpful comments guys. I'm probably going to take it into Alan F next week, the neck is from my early 90's Strat and I'd be gutted if I busted a nut on it!chur wrote:Alan F in chch put a new bone one into my Les Paul for about $30, while I like DIY it didn't seem cost effective for me to give it a nudge. (and risk screwing it up)
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.