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OK, a couple of nut-related questions. Various books and plans I have seen show the nut with an angled bottom, like the Martin, and others show a flat bottom nut. Are there any advantages for one over the other?

Also, one of the books show setting the height E string (string 1) at .004" above the first fret, with "bigger stringers liking more height". Another stated that the E and B should be at .012", G and D at .014", and the A and E at .016". Looking for a low action, I tried the .004 on the E (first string) on the dread that I just completed and had a lot of buzz. I raised the string a little and it worked fine. What would be a good height at the first fret for the different strings? I fixed this by filling the slot with gel CA and hitting it with accelerator, then filing a new slot. Is this an acceptable approach, or should I replace the nut?

Author:	Alan [ Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Nuts
OK, a couple of nut-related questions. Various books and plans I have seen show the nut with an angled bottom, like the Martin, and others show a flat bottom nut. Are there any advantages for one over the other? Also, one of the books show setting the height E string (string 1) at .004" above the first fret, with "bigger stringers liking more height". Another stated that the E and B should be at .012", G and D at .014", and the A and E at .016". Looking for a low action, I tried the .004 on the E (first string) on the dread that I just completed and had a lot of buzz. I raised the string a little and it worked fine. What would be a good height at the first fret for the different strings? I fixed this by filling the slot with gel CA and hitting it with accelerator, then filing a new slot. Is this an acceptable approach, or should I replace the nut?

Author:	Brad T [ Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
Alan wrote: OK, a couple of nut-related questions. Various books and plans I have seen show the nut with an angled bottom, like the Martin, and others show a flat bottom nut. Are there any advantages for one over the other? Also, one of the books show setting the height E string (string 1) at .004" above the first fret, with "bigger stringers liking more height". Another stated that the E and B should be at .012", G and D at .014", and the A and E at .016". Looking for a low action, I tried the .004 on the E (first string) on the dread that I just completed and had a lot of buzz. I raised the string a little and it worked fine. What would be a good height at the first fret for the different strings? I fixed this by filling the slot with gel CA and hitting it with accelerator, then filing a new slot. Is this an acceptable approach, or should I replace the nut? Some folks like the look of the angled bottom nut. Personally I don't think it really makes any difference as far as tone goes. You should be able to file down the string slots until the string just clears fret #1 when you press down on the string between frets #2 and 3. I believe Frank Ford's site http://www.frets.com goes in a little more detail, and it's a great site to visit. You can better fill the nut slot for re-cutting by putting bone dust in it, and saturating with the thin CA...just tape everything off and be careful because the thin CA will run everywhere if you're not!!

Author:	Hesh [ Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
Alan either the nut on the back-set head stock or on the neck plane is fine - no difference so long as the rest of your scale, body joint etc. takes this into account. As for string heights I never can read the stinkin Stew-Mac set-up gage so I do it by feel and can't help you here. When filling a nut slot I always make a new nut but many don't and that is OK too. If I was to fill an existing nut slot I would add bone dust to the CA, let it dry, and refile. If you want to do this it's likely that you will have the opportunity in as much as the CA itself is not going to hold up very long IMHO.

Author:	Chris Paulick [ Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
It's my thinking that Martin uses the different nut depending on what scale they use. If it's the 24.9 the nut is on the flat and the 25.4 the nut is on the angle. Same neck just move the nut 1/4" and the bridge.

Author:	Jeffrey L. Suits [ Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
When I do a CA/dust fill, I use either a very small burr, or drillbit, to give the fill, "legs". At the very least, I'd suggest scratching the slot with an exacto, so the fill will have some bite. Acrylic nail powder make for a good hard fill, too.

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Author:	TonyKarol [ Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
I dont think .004 will ever work without buzzing - thats just too low. The limit IMO is about 10-11 thou on the high e string. I adjust by feel, and use the press at 2-3 and see the string bounce at first fret method (if you can call it that - again, see Frank Ford site as mentioned). In general, the lower limits are about 10 e to 16 E in thousandths if you are measuring. Of course, playing heavy can cause these to buzz slightly too .. its all about the player and the best setup for playing style.

Author:	Alan [ Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the response. I'll recall the guitar (made it for my daughter) and do a nut replacement. Also appreciate the reference to Frank Ford's site, I'll check it out.

Author:	Colin S [ Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Nuts
The 4 thou gap is fine on the treble E string, but the gap should be measured when holding the string down between the 2nd and 3rd frets, not with the string open. It's the measurement I use on all of my guitars with the gap increasing towards the bass E. Never had a buzz. Colin

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