Nice to see you guys working on entry level guitars as well. Not everyone can afford a branded guitar like Fender or Gibson so this tells them that their inexpensive Squier can also do with benefits of being upgraded by a trained Luthier.
Yes. And, for those players who can't afford to have a trained luthier do the work, these stewartmcdonald videos and other luthier videos can help anyone do upgrades and maintenance.
The Tusq nuts are great, but I would recommend using a more precise caliper to measure before you order. There are tons of different sizes available and alot of them vary by fractions of a mm. Also, great tip to use the radius of the fretboard to shape the nut when you don't have a flat slot. 👍🏻
Those TUSQ nuts are great, I'm glad they do left-handed ones as well - One thing didn't get mentioned here I was taught is that automotive feeler gauges are good for precisely measuring the action at the first fret - you can pick em up for next to nothing at any auto shop and they do metric or imperial ones. I prefer working in mm to fractions of inches.
@StewMac One thing that I like to point out, is a great number of "off brands" of inexpensive electric as well as acoustic guitars made in China and a few other places actually super glue the string nuts in. And if a person is not experienced in this sort of work, the nut "may" come up a little bit, then the glue that attached to the nut route can rip away the wood and make MANY chips in the fret board.... just wanted to add that as precaution as it not reference that strongly in your video. Happy Holidays to all! - MrTom
@@Catsncorn I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it was. I was a big emo fan as a teenager. The Chord work is nothing to write home about but Emo music gets it's money's worth in the riffs. I suspect that's because it grew out of punk. Just natural music evolution man. I dig it.
Old post, but still. Stewmac isn't for the one off job. Its more geared toward actual luthiers and hobbyists that do this sort of thing more than once a lifetime. You're better off paying someone to do it if you're not interested in learning the trade.
Timing on this video was perfect guys. As it happens, I own an American Strat that I’ve been wanting to replace the nut on with a Tusq nut and was just starting to look for videos on how to do it. Your channel was the first place I looked. New sub!
THANK YOU!! I bought an Alvarez for $20. I bought strings to replace the old ones and the bone nut came off!!! I've been a drummer for many years and I'm learning guitar now. I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!
I have a strange issue. My strings are really buzzy between the nut and tuners. Why the hell is the upper bridge or upper string guide, or whatever descriptive name you can come up with... why is it called a nut? So weird! Wow, using the fretboard between frets to sand the nut... that's brilliant! Some people are just very mechanically inclined and able to think of the easiest way to do something. That's a gift from God. It's nothing you can teach someone. Excellent work! Thank you for taking the time to create, edit and post your videos!
Dear StewMac. Thank you for doing this instructional video, about replacing a nut on your guitar, it's much appreciated! One thing that I feel is missing in this video, would be some info about how the guitar should be adjusted... I've read in some of your online "how-to" guides, about nut making, that the neck should be adjusted straight... Does that only count when making a bone nut from scratch, or?? Also, in order to get the 1st fret action right, wouldn't it be best to follow these three set-up steps, before starting to deepen the string slots: 1. Adjust the neck for the desired relief. 2. Set the action at the bridge, and match the radius with the saddles. 3. THEN start to deepen the slots, and get the 1st fret action correct? Thanks again. I hope to hear from you, that would indeed be great. All the best.
GuitarNTabs I know this is a pretty late reply, but in my experience bridge height has little effect on first fret action. Definitely make sure the radius is correct but if the nut is cut too shallow, you can’t fix that at the bridge.
Thank you for the clear and detailed explanation! I learned a lot from this vide. You guys are far and above the many other clowns that you find now days in front of a phone posting videos on TH-cam. Thank you!
really appreciate this video, im going to be repairing an old 70s guitar i found in my grandparents attic. it has no nut or bridge saddle, and the neck is a little loose but otherwise just fine. looking forward to getting it in playing shape :)
Greetings from Bristol, UK - I love your videos. Between yours and Dave's, up in Canada, I'm covered! I replaced the nut on my Ibanez ArtCore the other day and it all went so well, thanks in part to your advice. It's a different guitar now - gone from OK to Great ! So cool. Thanks, guys 🙂
My plastic squire nuts original and from '94, the strings have cut down into the nut almost to the fretboard. Needless to say, i really needed to watch this video for a long time
HOLY SMOKES! That's amazing! I never thought to use the fretboard in order to get the nut-radius to match! This I'm shocked this is the first time I've heard of this technique. (03:09 -> Using sandpaper taped to the fretboard to sand bottom of nut to match and fit fretboard radius)
Looks like an A string in comparison to the thicker E string. Probably normal gauge, like 9s or 10s, so there ya go. If anything, what you want is about a millimeter of clearance when you press down the 3rd fret.
I was so motivated by this video that i took my metal saw an mostly pulverised the old nut, no chance of getting it out in one pice that nut was glued to hell. Whyle sawing i slipped of once to the fretbosrd and once towars the headstock. But hey it isnt the first scratch on that les paul so i just added some chracter xD.
Hello Dan &Paul, I’m interested in making a cheap guitar into a slide only guitar. I hope maybe to see a future video on making adjustments to set up a guitar for slide.
1:11 anyone else notice the five great lakes behind on the bottom of the window frame. Above the tool holder / empty shelf. Is that an Easter Egg find that now qualifies me to receive copious amounts of stewmac tools and paraphernalia at no cost?
After watching this vid, i replaced my tele plastic nut with real bone. I dabbed baby oil on the slot (quite generousl) to help the new nut slide in easier. Now i think my guitar doesnt sustain as much as before, even with the plastic nut.
Why do the US Fenders have a curved slot for the nut? I can't think it adds any tone (the bearing surface is essentially the same) and it's more difficult to manufacture than a flat bottomed slot.
Thank you for this. I have a neck and body that was built by legendary luthier, Jim Donahue, that I was going to cut a bone nut for, but after seeing this video I’m going to give the Tusq a shot. For one they are already slotted (I need to verify this and do some measuring), and moreover I’ve never had tuning instability with former guitars utilizing the Tusq material. Question for folks who have used pre-slotted Tusq nuts, did you find the need to adjust the slot depth to better “seat” the individual strings following installation?
I really didn't hear enough of a difference in the nut tone when it was bounced off the granite. I think when the time comes for that, I'll just install a roller or lock nut and be done with it as a steel nut should last as long as any other material ? Doesn't have to be a Fender LSR, quite a few other options that are affordable.
Okay, using the radius of the fretboard to sand the bottom of the nut is brilliant! However, just saying, "I can see it's too low" isn't enough... he should provided a baseline for the distance from the bottom of string to the fretboard. Saying, "use a guitar string" is not a standardized unit of measurement. Also, please let us hear the before tone as well as the after, maybe show how the sustain has increased. But, this was good and informative video!
Tried to do on a bass guitar. Job took longer than this video and i even took the instrument to a repair shop with a experienced tech. My advice is to leave the job to a professional if you have never done the job before.
at 4:36 we clearly see there is a tab sticking out, in the middle of the bottom of the nut. Where does that go? There is no notch in the fretboard slot for it to fit into.
A person can play a Squier Bullet for a long time with a good setup and new nut. Later they can replace the tuners with a set of Fender for about $40, then the pickups with a set of Tex-Mex and new pots. There's nothing wrong with the wood. A few investments over time and they can have a good playing and sounding guitar. I bought a new Squier Infinity and it had full size Alpha pots. It's funny to play a Squier and it sounds and plays as well as your friends Mex Fender. They don't have to know you made any changes. LOL
W😮ow factor 100% what you did sanding the nut on the frit board that was one smart idea now I know why your gifted to do what you do you give is the view all the shop secrets for free and this vedio was ausem sometimes i fill like a nut some times I dont..RocknRollFlat5
I'm a fan of brass nuts and will be doing an adjustable brass nut on my next build, i've always handed them off to luthiers if they were blanks but I'm planning on doing this one myself. Is there anything different I will need to do to make this work? My current project is taking and making it nearly as good as a base level MIA strat aside from balance. The project right now is Wenge neck, brass nut and saddles, SS frets, either S1 or Dimarzio Invader/Area pickups, dimarzio electronics with dual push pull and custom wiring, locking tuners. By the time this project is done the only thing that will be stock will be the wood from the body with a new coat of paint and electrical isolation on it.
The tab on the nut is because the nut slot is flat. You remove the tab when the slot is curved. The tabbed but essentially works for both types of slots. You can also get TUSQ nuts with flat bottoms though. At least for Fender/Charvel USA/Mex, the slots are curved. Squier can be flat. If you are worried about that little bit of material on the bottom of the nut, there are other more important things to improve on a Squier than that little bit of material... Of course if you're ordering, just go with the flat one. But when in doubt or you know the slot is curved, get the curved with the tab.
I’ve never heard a difference on electric guitar. Same with different wood type on electric guitar. I really don’t think it would make a difference coming through an amp. Really enjoy these videos though.
Tusk and bone nuts? I can hear Mellanie activist heads blowing up. LOL! Dan knows his stuff, Dan worked on SRV's guitar back in the day. I met SRV before his passing when he passed through the security check point at a airport, back in late 89. Rip Stevie! Keep up the great Dan Erlwine videos
Hello. I have removed the nut from my guitar, but there is a lot of glue residue still on the guitar. How can I effectively remove this glue without damaging the guitar?
Nice to see you guys working on entry level guitars as well. Not everyone can afford a branded guitar like Fender or Gibson so this tells them that their inexpensive Squier can also do with benefits of being upgraded by a trained Luthier.
Yes. And, for those players who can't afford to have a trained luthier do the work, these stewartmcdonald videos and other luthier videos can help anyone do upgrades and maintenance.
Yes and thanks great vid well shot clearly explained great subject (squier) THANKS
Using the fret board as a radius sander for nut blanks? I can't believe how many things I learn by watching these videos. Thank you!
I'm using TusQ XL for my tele and my Les Paul. Thoose things are amazing. Increasing my open tone and tuning stabillity
A luthier replaced mine on my Epi LP from plastic to Tusq XL, best money I ever spent! Extremely stable tuning now :)!
How’s the tusq treating you, all these months later?
they are still going. and never dissapoint me
Best guitar tutorials around, much respect to you guys !
CHEAH!
Aaayyy look who it is😂
Instructions unclear: I am now a father
Congrats bro 😎
2:11
The instructions are very clear.
@@rm9308 they don´t say what string gauge did they used to measure the space between the string and the fret.
@@laranjiinha77 You did not click my carefully placed timestamp...
Same thing happened to me, insert, bone, nut=kids
The Tusq nuts are great, but I would recommend using a more precise caliper to measure before you order. There are tons of different sizes available and alot of them vary by fractions of a mm.
Also, great tip to use the radius of the fretboard to shape the nut when you don't have a flat slot. 👍🏻
Those TUSQ nuts are great, I'm glad they do left-handed ones as well - One thing didn't get mentioned here I was taught is that automotive feeler gauges are good for precisely measuring the action at the first fret - you can pick em up for next to nothing at any auto shop and they do metric or imperial ones. I prefer working in mm to fractions of inches.
_That_ , my brother, is a _great_ idea! In fact, it's the perfect solution.
Would a left handed one just be a regular one upside down
My grandson has an old Italian guitar. We thought we would bring it back to life. Great teaching!
Dan is like the Yoda of luthiery.
Also that guy said "tremellow".
People saying tremellow gives me extreme anxiety
u guys call it trem system? or wut
@@iangarza990 TREMello, not tremELLo.
@@ThatBeTheQuestion i i didnt notice lol
He also said “heighth”
@StewMac One thing that I like to point out, is a great number of "off brands" of inexpensive electric as well as acoustic guitars made in China and a few other places actually super glue the string nuts in. And if a person is not experienced in this sort of work, the nut "may" come up a little bit, then the glue that attached to the nut route can rip away the wood and make MANY chips in the fret board.... just wanted to add that as precaution as it not reference that strongly in your video. Happy Holidays to all! - MrTom
Best explanation of how tone is effected by each nut option!
Wow, a long needed one, thanks for sharing this and for making luthier mysticism accessible to us mortals!
Thanks for the video, now I can still play my first guitar again after all these years.
That ending riff is actually good and so emo!
emo riffs make every music channel better
Sounds similar to Bon Jovi I wanna be loved
Emo sucks.
@@wolfhorsky thought it sounded a bit like that's what you get
@@Catsncorn I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it was. I was a big emo fan as a teenager. The Chord work is nothing to write home about but Emo music gets it's money's worth in the riffs. I suspect that's because it grew out of punk. Just natural music evolution man. I dig it.
great!! have a guitar i'm bidding on and just realized the nut is broken. nice to see it isn't a terribly difficult fix.
Great video. I would recommend using vernier calipers for the string spacing, they can also be used for a height gauge. Much more accurate and simple.
“The simplest thing you can do”
*proceeds to use 20 special made professional tools*
Yeah... lol 😆
20 special made "EXPENSIVE" professional tools....BUT everything at stewmac is EXPENSIVE!
Old post, but still. Stewmac isn't for the one off job. Its more geared toward actual luthiers and hobbyists that do this sort of thing more than once a lifetime.
You're better off paying someone to do it if you're not interested in learning the trade.
Timing on this video was perfect guys. As it happens, I own an American Strat that I’ve been wanting to replace the nut on with a Tusq nut and was just starting to look for videos on how to do it. Your channel was the first place I looked. New sub!
THANK YOU!! I bought an Alvarez for $20. I bought strings to replace the old ones and the bone nut came off!!!
I've been a drummer for many years and I'm learning guitar now.
I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!
Thanks for this! Couldn't have DIY-ed my strat's nut replacement without your video.
I have a strange issue. My strings are really buzzy between the nut and tuners. Why the hell is the upper bridge or upper string guide, or whatever descriptive name you can come up with... why is it called a nut? So weird!
Wow, using the fretboard between frets to sand the nut... that's brilliant! Some people are just very mechanically inclined and able to think of the easiest way to do something. That's a gift from God. It's nothing you can teach someone. Excellent work! Thank you for taking the time to create, edit and post your videos!
Haha. You folks are awesome. I'm brand new on the guitar scene and this was very helpful!
These guys know their stuff. This was pretty cool.
Thanks for sharing.
Excellent information, as usual. That drop test really was a great demonstration.
Dear StewMac.
Thank you for doing this instructional video, about replacing a nut on your guitar, it's much appreciated!
One thing that I feel is missing in this video, would be some info about how the guitar should be adjusted... I've read in some of your online "how-to" guides, about nut making, that the neck should be adjusted straight... Does that only count when making a bone nut from scratch, or??
Also, in order to get the 1st fret action right, wouldn't it be best to follow these three set-up steps, before starting to deepen the string slots:
1. Adjust the neck for the desired relief.
2. Set the action at the bridge, and match the radius with the saddles.
3. THEN start to deepen the slots, and get the 1st fret action correct?
Thanks again.
I hope to hear from you, that would indeed be great.
All the best.
GuitarNTabs I know this is a pretty late reply, but in my experience bridge height has little effect on first fret action. Definitely make sure the radius is correct but if the nut is cut too shallow, you can’t fix that at the bridge.
Thank you for the clear and detailed explanation! I learned a lot from this vide. You guys are far and above the many other clowns that you find now days in front of a phone posting videos on TH-cam. Thank you!
I can't thank you guys enough for these valuable guides and knowledge that you share so freely. Sincerely, thank you!
Tre-mellow
He said "tremolo" with the accentuation of "vibrato" 😂
really appreciate this video, im going to be repairing an old 70s guitar i found in my grandparents attic. it has no nut or bridge saddle, and the neck is a little loose but otherwise just fine. looking forward to getting it in playing shape :)
Greetings from Bristol, UK - I love your videos. Between yours and Dave's, up in Canada, I'm covered! I replaced the nut on my Ibanez ArtCore the other day and it all went so well, thanks in part to your advice. It's a different guitar now - gone from OK to Great ! So cool. Thanks, guys 🙂
My plastic squire nuts original and from '94, the strings have cut down into the nut almost to the fretboard. Needless to say, i really needed to watch this video for a long time
Using the contour of the neck to shape the filling, so good
HOLY SMOKES! That's amazing! I never thought to use the fretboard in order to get the nut-radius to match! This I'm shocked this is the first time I've heard of this technique. (03:09 -> Using sandpaper taped to the fretboard to sand bottom of nut to match and fit fretboard radius)
This is my favorite channel on youtube
Great tip to sand the nut radius using the fretboard!
sure but many guitars have a different radius around the higher frets than the nut area.
This is cool. I'm seriously looking at putting a Tusq nut on my tele and strat.
Tom Martin do it, they’re superb. Particularly if you use a whammy, but I’ve put them on all my guitars
1:04 Tray mollo
Tres Molos
TrayMellow
He's just super fancy
he's a mellow guy
Tramellow
Quite a bit of work to get the nut to fit properly. Interesting video!
Always love these videos. So relaxing.
Hey baby. I’m relaxing too.
This tutorial was nuts
Casually drops a dad joke at the end at 6:25 - “That was a nutty lesson and a good one.” 😆
"check the height by eye and use a bent string to check the height" this does not tell me much. what gauge string what height
Looks like an A string in comparison to the thicker E string. Probably normal gauge, like 9s or 10s, so there ya go. If anything, what you want is about a millimeter of clearance when you press down the 3rd fret.
You don't need to mess with a guitar if you don't understand .
@@richarduv very helpful. with that philosophy how do you learn anything new
Always dig on those tips from ol' Stewie Mac!
Og and young Og. Love it thanks for your time boys.
Love the tutorials and the selection from the store. Only thing is shipping is insane.
Before my 74 pbass split I had replaced mine with the handle of a toothbrush
Whew, thats a relief. I thought you were going to replace me!
Love that pink Squire!
I was so motivated by this video that i took my metal saw an mostly pulverised the old nut, no chance of getting it out in one pice that nut was glued to hell. Whyle sawing i slipped of once to the fretbosrd and once towars the headstock. But hey it isnt the first scratch on that les paul so i just added some chracter xD.
I prefer Tusq or Nubone as compared to bone. It is a lot easier to work with and shape to get the perfect string height.
Hello Dan &Paul, I’m interested in making a cheap guitar into a slide only guitar. I hope maybe to see a future video on making adjustments to set up a guitar for slide.
I happen to have Titebond original wood glue sitting right in front of me, how awkwardly convenient
1:11 anyone else notice the five great lakes behind on the bottom of the window frame. Above the tool holder / empty shelf. Is that an Easter Egg find that now qualifies me to receive copious amounts of stewmac tools and paraphernalia at no cost?
Excellent Upload.. You Guys are Awesome.. Thanx a Mil for Uploading and Sharing 😎👊💯
The "tre-mellow"? Are you taking the pish?
What is a "tray malo"?
It's geetar jargon, kinda like "heighth".
shoot you guys really hit the nail on the head with the fine details thank you
3:20 brilliant!
After watching this vid, i replaced my tele plastic nut with real bone. I dabbed baby oil on the slot (quite generousl) to help the new nut slide in easier. Now i think my guitar doesnt sustain as much as before, even with the plastic nut.
Why do the US Fenders have a curved slot for the nut? I can't think it adds any tone (the bearing surface is essentially the same) and it's more difficult to manufacture than a flat bottomed slot.
Because they first make the radius and then groove the fretboard with a blade that copies the radius.
Stew Mac rules!! 🤘🤘🤘
Answered every question I had, thanks!
Good job
No need to cut the slots to size and angle?
They come pre slotted now.
Because of the tone
1:00 When you use the tre-whatnow?
Deeez nutz....sound pretty good actually.
Thank you for this. I have a neck and body that was built by legendary luthier, Jim Donahue, that I was going to cut a bone nut for, but after seeing this video I’m going to give the Tusq a shot. For one they are already slotted (I need to verify this and do some measuring), and moreover I’ve never had tuning instability with former guitars utilizing the Tusq material. Question for folks who have used pre-slotted Tusq nuts, did you find the need to adjust the slot depth to better “seat” the individual strings following installation?
Great info, thanks!
I really didn't hear enough of a difference in the nut tone when it was bounced off the granite. I think when the time comes for that, I'll just install a roller or lock nut and be done with it as a steel nut should last as long as any other material ? Doesn't have to be a Fender LSR, quite a few other options that are affordable.
Those fretted notes and especially barre chords really benefit sonically from a fancy nut.
Really helpful video, nice work, thank you both.
3:15 Clever solution.
Okay, using the radius of the fretboard to sand the bottom of the nut is brilliant! However, just saying, "I can see it's too low" isn't enough... he should provided a baseline for the distance from the bottom of string to the fretboard. Saying, "use a guitar string" is not a standardized unit of measurement. Also, please let us hear the before tone as well as the after, maybe show how the sustain has increased. But, this was good and informative video!
Tried to do on a bass guitar. Job took longer than this video and i even took the instrument to a repair shop with a experienced tech. My advice is to leave the job to a professional if you have never done the job before.
Excellent video. Thanks.
What gauge is the bent guitar sting used to measure height of the string under the first fret?
Dan, you just killed me~a 'nutty lesson' !!!!! best laugh yet today!
at 4:36 we clearly see there is a tab sticking out, in the middle of the bottom of the nut. Where does that go? There is no notch in the fretboard slot for it to fit into.
A person can play a Squier Bullet for a long time with a good setup and new nut. Later they can replace the tuners with a set of Fender for about $40, then the pickups with a set of Tex-Mex and new pots. There's nothing wrong with the wood. A few investments over time and they can have a good playing and sounding guitar. I bought a new Squier Infinity and it had full size Alpha pots. It's funny to play a Squier and it sounds and plays as well as your friends Mex Fender. They don't have to know you made any changes. LOL
Amazing guys, thanks allot!
W😮ow factor 100% what you did sanding the nut on the frit board that was one smart idea now I know why your gifted to do what you do you give is the view all the shop secrets for free and this vedio was ausem sometimes i fill like a nut some times I dont..RocknRollFlat5
Your videos are awesome! So informative! Thank you!!
I'm a fan of brass nuts and will be doing an adjustable brass nut on my next build, i've always handed them off to luthiers if they were blanks but I'm planning on doing this one myself. Is there anything different I will need to do to make this work?
My current project is taking and making it nearly as good as a base level MIA strat aside from balance.
The project right now is Wenge neck, brass nut and saddles, SS frets, either S1 or Dimarzio Invader/Area pickups, dimarzio electronics with dual push pull and custom wiring, locking tuners. By the time this project is done the only thing that will be stock will be the wood from the body with a new coat of paint and electrical isolation on it.
5:17 - Don't you want to remove the tab on the nut to maximize surface area between the nut and nut slot?
The tab on the nut is because the nut slot is flat. You remove the tab when the slot is curved. The tabbed but essentially works for both types of slots. You can also get TUSQ nuts with flat bottoms though.
At least for Fender/Charvel USA/Mex, the slots are curved. Squier can be flat. If you are worried about that little bit of material on the bottom of the nut, there are other more important things to improve on a Squier than that little bit of material... Of course if you're ordering, just go with the flat one. But when in doubt or you know the slot is curved, get the curved with the tab.
My goodness! This is awesome!
6:06 anyone knows where is that from?
I’ve never heard a difference on electric guitar. Same with different wood type on electric guitar. I really don’t think it would make a difference coming through an amp. Really enjoy these videos though.
Most nuts are replaced because of string binding during tuning.
I've never noticed much tone difference either
Gene Schulp yeah, I’m reasonably sure it’s snake oil. Our brains are designed to hear or see what we are predisposed to as being true.
Omg thx you saved my les Paul
No need to adjust the slot depth/angle after installation?
Hey Stewmac! Hope your having a wonderful day. Which glue do I use to safely install a graphtech nubone 5000? Regular woodglue or something else?
Perfect, thank you.
Tusk and bone nuts? I can hear Mellanie activist heads blowing up. LOL! Dan knows his stuff, Dan worked on SRV's guitar back in the day. I met SRV before his passing when he passed through the security check point at a airport, back in late 89. Rip Stevie! Keep up the great Dan Erlwine videos
Hello. I have removed the nut from my guitar, but there is a lot of glue residue still on the guitar. How can I effectively remove this glue without damaging the guitar?
My starcaster loves you guys :))))
really nice video, thanks!
3:29 Which fret should we use as reference if the neck's got a compound radius?
This tutorial worked to replace my uke nut
@6:05 Anybody know what song that riff he plays is from?!?!
I'm here in the comment section just for that
Pretty sure it's by Paramore.
Misery business or that's what you get?
What type of glue are you using to set the nut? I'm assuming it would be a type that is easily removed for the next time replacing.
Thanks