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?

Post by GrantB »

Doing a nut job yourself always ends up costing you :mental:
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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by codedog »

+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.


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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by Mini Forklift »

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)
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!

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by StratMatt »

I never really gave it much thought when I changed the nut myself on my LP Classic. Musta fluked it!
Loving it so far

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by NippleWrestler »

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.

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by Mini Forklift »

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.
What's the best way to remove the old nut?

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by GrantB »

Image

Give it a go! You might be fine.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by Mini Forklift »

Close enough.

9/10

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by Bg »

Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote:
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.
What's the best way to remove the old nut?
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 wood ;)
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?

Post by Bg »

Image
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?

Post by codedog »

Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote: What's the best way to remove the old nut?
A block of wood laid flat on the fretboard and tapped against the nut. That always worked for me and somehow felt safer.

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by Bg »

Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote:
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.
What's the best way to remove the old nut?
I must be getting old....

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.

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by Bg »

codedog wrote:
Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote: What's the best way to remove the old nut?
A block of wood laid flat on the fretboard and tapped against the nut. That always worked for me and somehow felt safer.
all joking aside. follow the stewmac methods at
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?

Post by Lostininverness »

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.

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Re: Replacing a nut - easy DIY job or not?

Post by jeremyb »

Mini Forklift Ⓥ wrote:
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)
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!
*fixxored*
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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