Official Luthiers Forum!

I am bought several guitars over the last few months to repair and get nice to donate to disable vets and kids like I have the last 12 years. I bought a Sigma and glad I only invested $10.00 for it. Got it to the shop and found and later confirmed the guy I got it from had it "repaired" by a friend of his who is suppose to be a luthier. Well the guy sanded the top down to where it is questionable and he told the guy it was to fix some cracks, which I am now having to fix and cleat. Then today I take it out so I can get it to the little boy who is getting it and had a horrible buzz at the G. Well looking at it found he had taken the nut slot so deep the string almost sits on the 1st fret and only will not buzz if capo the first fret. No problem right? Make a new nut and good to go. Nope, this repair tech decided to fill the nut slot with wood putty or something so to take the angle out so it was level.

I have never in the last 10 or so years run across a thing like this. I am in time crunch and don't know if best to just make a nut and it is what it is across the slot (flush with the heaplate) or take a slot file with the angle and try to get it down far enough so looks somewhat normal. Anyone hear ever try and mess with wood putty or whatever this crap is for filing? Have to have this and 3 more done by Monday so my wife can take them to the VA clinic she works at for them to take to the guys and kids.

Stan - you might try using a razor saw to cut a few kerfs in the wood putty so that you can get most of it out, then use a narrow chisel and a file to clean it up. Best of luck, and bless you for being so kind!!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Well I did what the BOSS taught me and hammered into me. I looked at the problem when not frustrated, made a plan and then made it work.

Alex I did just that. Used a razor saw at the fretboard and headplate. then a micro chisel and went to work slowly. I was then able to use the Stew Mac 1/4 file and take it to wood making sure not to go to deep. Cleaed up well and now just need to make a new nut and good to go.

Good on ya', Stan, for persevering and making a bunch of kids happy! I think making a kid happy is one of the noblest things we can do in life.
Patrick

+1000. Way to go! That's the true spirit of this holiday season. You inspire me. Thank you.

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George :-)