What is the ideal height for the nut of a guitar?

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drew

Is there a good specific height for a guitar nut?

Answer
the height of the nut is not as important as the height of the bottom of the string groove in the nut. Typically this distance should be near the thickness of the low E string measured from the top of the fretboard to the bottom of the string groove. Set at that height a properly adjusted truss rod will provide good action and smooth playability. A disadvantage of a high nut would be poor playabilty and possible incorrect intonation. If you buy a nut from your music store it will be a proper height from the start but may require removal of material from the bottom of the nut to reach the desired height. If you are building a nut you should make sure that the distance under the string is right and that the string in the groove lies evenly with the top of the nut.

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How long does it take to get a Guitar Nut made?

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Javier G

How long does it take to get a guitar nut made from bone? Rough estimate I've had it in the store about a week.

Answer
Be sure to review their work here! http://www.repairmyguitar.com

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The first fret of my guitar is really tense, what should I do?

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funky_fran

The guitar is over a year old and I thinking it might be the guitar nut. I've never had to deal with these except for my Spanish-acoustics, but I've never had any problem with those.

The thing is I need to press way too hard on the strings on the first fret to play the notes. Should I send it to the repair shop or is it something I could check on my own?

The guitar in question is an acoustic steel string resonator.

Answer
My guess is you need to tighten the truss rod. Fret down the first or second fret with the index finger on you left hand. At the same time press the 22 or 24 fret down with your pinkey of your right hand. Press down the 12 fret with your right thumb, there should be about a millimeter of space between the fret and string. Usually you adjust the truss rod where the fret board and headstock meet( if your guitar is like this there will be a plastic cover against the nut on the head stock or there will just be a hole there). It sounds like there is too much bow in your neck, so you would want to tighten it.
The action might be to high as well.

You can search "truss rod adjustment" into youtube for a more info.

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Possible to repair a guitar nut?

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Chase

I was replacing my guitar strings for the first time and when I took out the very last string my guitar nut slid out of place. There is no damage to the guitar or nut so I was wondering if instead of buying a new guitar nut, is it possible to just reglue the current one? If so, what do I do? Just put glue down and slide it on? How long to leave it to dry? Do I take the strings out first?

Answer
Yeah, I've never come across a guitar with a nut that wasn't glued in place. No point in buying a new nut if the one you have is okay. Just make sure you don't use too much glue and make a mess and that you don't use something that will make it impossible to remove if you ever do need a new nut..

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what can I use to cut the slots in a guitar nut?

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raldo

what can I use to cut slots in a guitar nut besides the files made for the job? What are the widths of the slots?

Answer
The files you mentioned would be best,they're not expensive and will last a life time,and though you can use a junior hacksaw that does leave the bottom of the groove somewhat square,not so good as this can cause something like fret buzz on open notes,very annoying.Avoid this by using some wet and dry paper to round them over,but this is difficult as it tends to widen the nut grooves,again,fret buzz.Bite the bullet and buy or borrow the file.As for sizes,that's easy,they're printed on the packet your new strings come in.You are fitting new strings,yeah?

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The first fret of my guitar is really tense, what should I do?

guitar nut image

funky_fran

The guitar is over a year old and I thinking it might be the guitar nut. I've never had to deal with these except for my Spanish-acoustics, but I've never had any problem with those.

The thing is I need to press way too hard on the strings on the first fret to play the notes. Should I send it to the repair shop or is it something I could check on my own?

The guitar in question is an acoustic steel string resonator.

Answer
My guess is you need to tighten the truss rod. Fret down the first or second fret with the index finger on you left hand. At the same time press the 22 or 24 fret down with your pinkey of your right hand. Press down the 12 fret with your right thumb, there should be about a millimeter of space between the fret and string. Usually you adjust the truss rod where the fret board and headstock meet( if your guitar is like this there will be a plastic cover against the nut on the head stock or there will just be a hole there). It sounds like there is too much bow in your neck, so you would want to tighten it.
The action might be to high as well.

You can search "truss rod adjustment" into youtube for a more info.

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Should I get a Bone or Brass nut for my warlock?

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Raven Rage

I want to change out the nut on the warlock to give it a better feel and the guitar nuts are not expensive really. So what material should i get it made out of?
I also heard that changing the nut of the guitar can help with muddy sounds when playing open chords with heavy distortion on. I hear it also improves overall tone, and tuning, and some sustain (just guessin about the sustain). Should I get my guitar's nut replaced or should i just git a noise suppressor?

Answer
A noise suppressor will do the best job, but costs a little more. Check with a local supplier, or music outlet that can give you personal advice based on your needs.

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The first fret of my guitar is really tense, what should I do?

guitar nut image

funky_fran

The guitar is over a year old and I thinking it might be the guitar nut. I've never had to deal with these except for my Spanish-acoustics, but I've never had any problem with those.

The thing is I need to press way too hard on the strings on the first fret to play the notes. Should I send it to the repair shop or is it something I could check on my own?

The guitar in question is an acoustic steel string resonator.

Answer
My guess is you need to tighten the truss rod. Fret down the first or second fret with the index finger on you left hand. At the same time press the 22 or 24 fret down with your pinkey of your right hand. Press down the 12 fret with your right thumb, there should be about a millimeter of space between the fret and string. Usually you adjust the truss rod where the fret board and headstock meet( if your guitar is like this there will be a plastic cover against the nut on the head stock or there will just be a hole there). It sounds like there is too much bow in your neck, so you would want to tighten it.
The action might be to high as well.

You can search "truss rod adjustment" into youtube for a more info.

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what can I use to cut the slots in a guitar nut?

guitar nut image

raldo

what can I use to cut slots in a guitar nut besides the files made for the job? What are the widths of the slots?

Answer
The files you mentioned would be best,they're not expensive and will last a life time,and though you can use a junior hacksaw that does leave the bottom of the groove somewhat square,not so good as this can cause something like fret buzz on open notes,very annoying.Avoid this by using some wet and dry paper to round them over,but this is difficult as it tends to widen the nut grooves,again,fret buzz.Bite the bullet and buy or borrow the file.As for sizes,that's easy,they're printed on the packet your new strings come in.You are fitting new strings,yeah?

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Does guitar neck nut width mean the same thing as guitar neck width?

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Stephen

Does guitar neck nut width mean the same thing as guitar neck width? I am doing an experiment and need to know how to get the guitar neck width.

Answer
Hello there,

Yes, the nut width is the width of the neck at the nut.

Later,

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Guitar problems doing my head in?

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mon the ho

Recently just got my new guitar nut strung it up but sounds horrible its a seagull guitar, the nut still isn't settling snug in the slot, just like the old one wasn't either any suggestion i am willing to take it to a luither but cant afford more than £30 quid as i just lost my job.
There's a cutaway where the nut fits, mine is slopeing downwards.

Answer
Try a lighter guage set of strings.
Maybe you are fitting the guitar with heavy (.13) gauge strings and the guitar was built for light (.12 or even .11) guage strings. Contact the manufacterer or a Seagull guitar dealer to find out the correct string guage.
Also, it kind of sounds to me like you are talking about the bridge saddle, and not the nut. The saddle is located on the BODY of the guitar; the NUT is located at the end of the neck, before the headstock (where the tuning pegs are located). I don't mean to insult you, it's just that from your wording "it doesn't fit in the slot" I thought perhaps you meant the saddle doesn't fit in the bridge. If the saddle doesn't fit in the bridge, simply wedge a piece of thin cardboard in between the saddle and the slot it fits into until the saddle is nice and snug (I used to use part of a matchbook cover back in the early '80s when I had this problem...my guitar teacher smoked and he taught me that trick.)
*I hope one of these recommendations does the trick for you.
Feel free to email you if you have any questions regarding my answer.

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Should I get a Bone or Brass nut for my warlock?

guitar nut image

Raven Rage

I want to change out the nut on the warlock to give it a better feel and the guitar nuts are not expensive really. So what material should i get it made out of?
I also heard that changing the nut of the guitar can help with muddy sounds when playing open chords with heavy distortion on. I hear it also improves overall tone, and tuning, and some sustain (just guessin about the sustain). Should I get my guitar's nut replaced or should i just git a noise suppressor?

Answer
A noise suppressor will do the best job, but costs a little more. Check with a local supplier, or music outlet that can give you personal advice based on your needs.

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