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Repair low slots in graphite nut?

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Post by Barry Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:30 pm

I was playing my trusty old Spectrum ST and I starting hearing a sitar sound on the treble E string. It went away when the string was fretted so I checked the usual suspect.

The saddle seemed OK but I gently filed it anyway. No change.

The nut slot however was very deep, too deep. The string is buried approx 2/3 the depth of the nut. In fact all the strings are "buried".
This guitar has always had very low action but I'm assuming over 30+ years the strings have naturally cut the slot deeper.

Questions for the choir here assembled:

1) Is it feasible to fill and re-cut a graphite nut? I've never needed to do that but my instinct says nothing would stick well enough to graphite to bother. And if it did the natural lubrication would be lost.

2) Assuming a replacement is needed, I would first consider a Tusq model. Anyone know how well that would match up with the OEM nut?

Ta, ever so.

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"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Repair low slots in graphite nut? Guitar10
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Post by ExFender Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:58 pm

The makers of the TUSQ line offer custom shaped nuts if they don't have the right size listed.  you need to simply inform them of the dimensions.

Redoing a nut that is too deep is possible with a shim of wood or material of the same basic material of the nut (carbon fiber strip) under the nut - probably glued to the original with super-glue and re-shaping the top - but might affect the tone.  I'd replace it.
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Post by Barry Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:29 pm

Thanks.
I'm quite familiar with Tusq, used a lot of them both in the shop and on my own guitars. (Canadian, eh? )

Not really a fan of shimming the nut, especially on a good one. It's OK in a pinch or on a cheap guitar perhaps, but not under a good graphite nut.

_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Repair low slots in graphite nut? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
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Number of posts : 8796
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Post by Barry Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:34 pm

Oddly, I'm not experiencing problems on the other strings just the high E.

Repair low slots in graphite nut? Spectr11

Repair low slots in graphite nut? Spectr10

_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Repair low slots in graphite nut? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
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Number of posts : 8796
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Post by Westbone Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:14 am

Superglue
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Post by Barry Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:10 am

Westbone wrote:Superglue
A man of few words! Roll on Floor Laff

It will stick to graphite then?
Do you recommend adding some graphite (pencil shavings)?

_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Repair low slots in graphite nut? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
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Number of posts : 8796
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Post by Westbone Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:33 am

Barry wrote:
Westbone wrote:Superglue
A man of few words! Roll on Floor Laff

It will stick to graphite then?
Do you recommend adding some graphite (pencil shavings)?
It dries clear, so if you feel you need to add "pencil shavings" why not.
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Post by ExFender Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:39 am

Super glue sticks very well to carbon.  Just be sure to smooth out the channel afterward.
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Post by Barry Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:12 pm

Thanks fellas. I'll have a go at it when I get a minute.

This is my first and #1 Westie that I bought new and played and recorded with for many years so it's kinda special. Wink

_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Repair low slots in graphite nut? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
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Number of posts : 8796
Age : 79
Location : Port Weller, St. Catharines, Canada
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