guitar nut files image
Matt C
On a guitar there are six notches near the head that keep the strings in place. Every time I play my guitar the third string from the bottom comes out of its notch. How do I fix it?
Answer
The piece with the notches is called the "nut." Under normal circumstances, the strings shouldn't be able to slip out of the slots. You don't mention the type of guitar and if there's any visible wear to the slots. Some guitars, usually electrics, are set up so that the tuning head is nearly in the same plane as the nut. This means that there isn't much downward pressure as the strings run over the nut. The solution is to use string hold-downs. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Electric_guitar:_String_trees_retainers/Traditional_Fender-style_String_Retainers.html If your guitar has these, make sure you have the strings running under them.
If your guitar wasn't designed with these, I have to wonder if there is something else going on. When you wind the strings around the tuning post, try to keep the winds low on the post. Take a close look at your nut. Does it show any signs of wear? Do the strings fit snugly in the slots? Have you changed to a heavier gauge string that doesn't seat all the way into the slot? If this is the case, you may need to carefully widen the slots with a file. The strings should come over the nut at roughly the same height as if it was a fret. Think of it as a zero fret.
If all else fails, you may have to replace the nut, but I think you should try to think when this started happening and what might have caused it....new strings? Guitar fell over and landed on the fretboard?
The piece with the notches is called the "nut." Under normal circumstances, the strings shouldn't be able to slip out of the slots. You don't mention the type of guitar and if there's any visible wear to the slots. Some guitars, usually electrics, are set up so that the tuning head is nearly in the same plane as the nut. This means that there isn't much downward pressure as the strings run over the nut. The solution is to use string hold-downs. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Electric_guitar:_String_trees_retainers/Traditional_Fender-style_String_Retainers.html If your guitar has these, make sure you have the strings running under them.
If your guitar wasn't designed with these, I have to wonder if there is something else going on. When you wind the strings around the tuning post, try to keep the winds low on the post. Take a close look at your nut. Does it show any signs of wear? Do the strings fit snugly in the slots? Have you changed to a heavier gauge string that doesn't seat all the way into the slot? If this is the case, you may need to carefully widen the slots with a file. The strings should come over the nut at roughly the same height as if it was a fret. Think of it as a zero fret.
If all else fails, you may have to replace the nut, but I think you should try to think when this started happening and what might have caused it....new strings? Guitar fell over and landed on the fretboard?
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