Help with a Strat nut

[mds7]

I'm trying to figure out how to slot a nut for a strat I've built. With a 12" radiused fretboard, I'm assuming I can't copy one made for a more common 9.5 (I think thats what it is) radius on a Fender. And even though the neck measurement at the nut is 1 5/8" (like that of my LP nuts) I'm assuming I can't use those as a guide because of the different string spacing at the bridge. Anybody been through this issue before?

Mike

[Freddy G]

Yes you can use your existing 1 5/8" nut as a spacing guide. The string spacing at the bridge is irrelevant.

[mds7]

Alright, thanks Freddy. I'll have to order a preslotted bone nut for a guide since my only Fender has a Wilkinson roller nut (tonesucker if you ask me) that I don't trust myself to transfer over measuments with.

Is it safe to say that the same nut slot spacing can be used if the difference in the radius of the fretboard isn't too large? And the nut slot depths will be where I will need to focus on?

[bruce bennett]

the radius is irrelevant to the nuts string spacing... only the strings height in the nut.

you can use just about any spacing you want on any neck provided its reaonable to the width of the neck at the nut location.

but the fretboard Radius has nothing to do with spacing.

[mds7]

Thanks Bruce. And I just realized my brainfart in my last post. Freddy meant I can use my LP nut as a guide. I don't need to go ordering another.

[lespaul01]

I got an LSR roller nut on my Strat and it is absolutely splendid..

[mds7]

Originally Posted by lespaul01

I got an LSR roller nut on my Strat and it is absolutely splendid..

Really? I believe my Fender is a '90 or '91 plus model, so it has one of the original Wilkinsons on it. From what I understand they changed the roller nut a year or two later. Its a good sounding guitar with some good sounding Fralins in it, but I can hear something I like better, tonewise, when I play a Strat with a bone nut. I would have changed mine out a long time ago if it weren't such a hassle.

[H.E.L.Shane]

dude.... your over thinkng it....

put the blank nut in... snug up your strings, space your E strings correctly relative to the edges of the fretboard, mark either side of the string with a sharp pencil, take the strings off, make a slight divot in the nut between the lines with the file to hold the strings, put them back, snug em down and lay out the rest of your strings evenly....

your eye is a VERY good judge of distances, especially when you get down to the space between strings....

make divots at first... you can sand them away if you screw up...

once you get em perfect...

then cut your slots!

[ltdave32]

Originally Posted by H.E.L.Shane

dude.... your over thinkng it....

put the blank nut in... snug up your strings, space your E strings correctly relative to the edges of the fretboard, mark either side of the string with a sharp pencil, take the strings off, make a slight divot in the nut between the lines with the file to hold the strings, put them back, snug em down and lay out the rest of your strings evenly....

your eye is a VERY good judge of distances, especially when you get down to the space between strings....

make divots at first... you can sand them away if you screw up...

once you get em perfect...

then cut your slots!

Which is how I do it. Like Shane said, your eye can spot any difference in the spacing pretty quick.

However, I would practice the spacing on some scrap to get the feel of it. You can get some samples of Corian 2" squares at any Home Depot in the kitchen display section. Free for the asking. I use these squares for nuts.

[Mayuiers]

I use the 2 inch square Corian samples from Home Depot, as well. Just go to the kitchen counter area and ask one of the friendly helpful people for a few samples. They usually keep them in a drawer near the displays. Pick the color(s) you want and you're on your way.


You need to be a little careful as the Corian can chip if you're too rough with it. Otherwise, Corian cuts and sands easily.

One sample square is good for at least three or four nuts.

Though I've heard purists complain about Corian, to my ears the tone on my LP Jr. and my Musicman Silhouette didn't seem to suffer at all.

[ltdave32]

Originally Posted by Mayuiers

I use the 2 inch square Corian samples from Home Depot, as well. Just go to the kitchen counter area and ask one of the friendly helpful people for a few samples. They usually keep them in a drawer near the displays. Pick the color(s) you want and you're on your way.


You need to be a little careful as the Corian can chip if you're too rough with it. Otherwise, Corian cuts and sands easily.

One sample square is good for at least three or four nuts.

Though I've heard purists complain about Corian, to my ears the tone on my LP Jr. and my Musicman Silhouette didn't seem to suffer at all.

Not to mention the fact that Gibson is now using Corian for nut material.

[randelli]

Is it like the one on the left? I would like to get the old one from you if you no longer want it...

[Mayuiers]

Originally Posted by ltdave32

Not to mention the fact that Gibson is now using Corian for nut material.

I think Martin is doing the same.