Guy LeDouche
Halfnote
Don't Get Eliminated
Posts: 76
Formerly Known As: Uehara Sato
Age: 51
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Post by Guy LeDouche on Jan 9, 2020 9:05:48 GMT -5
While string changing my Epi Dot I saw the plastic nut from factory was cracked. I ordered a Tusq XL nut to replace it. The XL kind has teflon mixed with the ceramic to make it slippery. After a bit of sanding it fit properly in slot. I used auto feeling gauges to correctly set the height to frets. I was surprised and happy at the change it made to both sustain and tuning stability. So much so I ordered another for my tele. A small, inexpensive item can make a big improvement in the sound and feel of an instrument. I wish I did this when the guitar was new.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 9, 2020 9:50:00 GMT -5
You betcha. Done correctly, a nut can turn an 'okay' guitar into a real player. But done poorly, a nut can make a guitar unplayable. Nice work!
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 9, 2020 10:41:01 GMT -5
I have a pre-cut Tusq nut on my 78 Strat right now, since I need a new proper nut and haven't got the skill or equipment to do it. I did tweak the height and the slots with a proper set of fret files before selling those files on eBay.
Its actually pretty good all things considered, the guitar is quite playable with minimal work.
My usual shop for tech work has closed, so I haven't had a new bone nut installed yet. I did track down the head of the repair department from that shop, and he now works out of his home, which makes me a little nervous.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 9, 2020 10:42:29 GMT -5
Nice work!
The Tusq XL is my go-to nut.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 9, 2020 10:46:41 GMT -5
"He now works out of his home, which makes me a little nervous."
Don't let that scare you off. Most guitar techs that work at music stores have a better-equipped shop at home than the one at the store. Matter of fact, most music stores job out their repair work to a tech that is off site anyway.
Give him a call. I'll bet your '78 Strat will feel and play so good when he's done--you'll kick yourself for hot having done it sooner. And you'll want to play *more*, which is a good thing!
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Post by hushnel on Jan 9, 2020 11:26:17 GMT -5
I’ve been thinking about doing this upgrade on the Yamaha CSF1M, most discussions I’ve come across say the Urea material seems to be fine, a few mentioned they could hear no difference..
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 9, 2020 11:35:48 GMT -5
"He now works out of his home, which makes me a little nervous." Don't let that scare you off. Most guitar techs that work at music stores have a better-equipped shop at home than the one at the store. Matter of fact, most music stores job out their repair work to a tech that is off site anyway. Give him a call. I'll bet your '78 Strat will feel and play so good when he's done--you'll kick yourself for hot having done it sooner. And you'll want to play *more*, which is a good thing! You're probably right. The shop in question was Mandolin Brothers, where I know they did the work on site. Now the entire stucco building has been painted gray and its an architect's office which is incredibly depressing every time I drive by. And I KNOW the guy's work is good, I have had him do stuff before. Including a nut on a Les Paul once. I'll have to get my act together and do it. Appreciate the advice! |
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Post by LTB on Jan 12, 2020 21:27:23 GMT -5
While string changing my Epi Dot I saw the plastic nut from factory was cracked. I ordered a Tusq XL nut to replace it. The XL kind has teflon mixed with the ceramic to make it slippery. After a bit of sanding it fit properly in slot. I used auto feeling gauges to correctly set the height to frets. I was surprised and happy at the change it made to both sustain and tuning stability. So much so I ordered another for my tele. A small, inexpensive item can make a big improvement in the sound and feel of an instrument. I wish I did this when the guitar was new. I did the same thing on a couple guitars I had (still have one). Instead of sandpaper I used a fine flat file and slid the nut back and forth on the file in an effort to keep the bottom of the nut flat and true. Either way works. |
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