worn nut repair

[kipper]

hi all just brought a used strat (fiesta red of course) the a string is very low in the nut causing it to buzz unplayable i think. but i remember reading on site that there is a quick fix for this reguarding cigarette papers i think it was anyone remember this. i will probaly have to get a new nut cut but just looking for a quick fix now.
thanks peter
just had a closer look and the nut is worn right through.

[keithmantle]

Hi Peter, If you have a odd peice of hard plastic or old nut run it up/down a file, then add superglue to the dust/filings then use this to fill nut slots, when dry/hard use a nut file/similar to get correct depth

[kipper]

thanks keith will sounds like a good idea. anyone know the cost of having a new nut supplyed and fitted. peter

[Hank2k]

Hi Peter

I have a guy near me who has done a lot of work on my strats including but replacements to graphite, he charged me 45 inc supplying the nut and that included a full setup and strings etc he is based in Chelmsford if your interested I can let you have his details

Thanks

[Simon Underwood]

I changed the nut myself on my Custom Shop Strat- I got a Tusq nut with the slots pre-cut and all I had to do was to file the underside and thickness down to fit the nut slot and give the correct string height. The old one was easily removed with a genle tap from a (small!) hammer and center punch on one side of the nut. The new one should be a tight-ish fit in the slot with just a couple of small dabs of super glue to secure it. Cost about £8. Simples!

[grayn]

A new nut is the best idea. But for a botch (quick remedy), cut the end off of a string (start with a plain steel string), around a quarter of an inch, and lay that in the offending string notch, under the full string. This should raise your string enough to stop the buzzing.

I've used this temporary remedy on acoustics and electrics and it has worked fine.

[Didier]

I have hear good comments about Graphtech Tusq nuts, either black or ivory : http://www.graphtech.com/products.html

Didier

[David Martin]

Here's a really reliable permanent fix... fill the nut slot with baking soda powder to the right height. Add a drop of superglue, the file to the correct height when the glue has hardened...

[kipper]

thanks for all your replys i will end up with a new nut but i am intriged by the baking powder how was that discovered .
thanks again peter

[davec]

Baking soda and baking powder are different things.

Baking soda is pure Sodium Bicarbonate (aka Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate) whereas baking powder is baking soda plus an acid (usually Tartaric Acid) and a drying agent (usually cornstarch)


DaveC