Graph Tech TUSQ XL String slot problems

[Nays]

Hi everyone,

I recently installed a Graph Tech TUSQ nut on my Les Paul Custom. This was my first time installing a new nut on the guitar by myself. A few years ago I had a tech install a bone nut on the guitar. However, he filed down the string slots too deep and sanded it too low. I was too inexperienced at the time with setup issues that I didnt realize what had happened. So i've been living with it ever since. I recently read about the TUSQ nuts and I liked what I was reading. So I ordered one and did a lot of research, got it installed perfectly per their instructions (nut height .010 at the low E and .006 on the high E). I strung it up and loved the feel and sound I was getting from the new nut. Though when I tried to set the intonation I found that I was unable to and that even though I moved the bridge saddles all the way towards the neck, the 12th fret octave was still flat. This told me that I had either incorrectly sanded the nut and got it too low, or that the strings were not sitting in the slots properly. Now I am using 11-50 gauge strings (I do want to move up to a 52 on the low E though). I've read that the nut slots were fine for 9 and 10 gauge. So that is why I believe it is the 11's causing this.

I was wondering if anybody else had any ideas, or if it is indeed the string slots, and if they could give me suggestions on how to file them to fit 11s.

Here's some pics so you guys can see whats up...

 

[Nays]

Nobody?

 

[bfcg]

Has you action lowered in the process?
Changing string guages will effect intonation.
If you are messing with the bridge, make sure that you retune the open string after every bridge adjustment before taking a reading on the 12th fret.
Are those strings sitting in the slots and "taking off" from the very edge?
Is it effecting all of the strings?
If you are doing harmonic 12th fret reading, Stop.

 

[Nays]

Thank you for your response.

I did play with the action a tad. I actually raised it up to Gibsons factory specs (5/64 on Low E, 3/64 on High E). That is where it is at right now. There is some relief in the neck as well. .010 I believe. When I installed the nut I didnt mess with the truss rod at all. Perhaps that is part of the problem. Should I have tried to make the neck as straight as possible before lowering the height of the nut?

I do make sure to retune after every adjustment I make. I tune the open string to pitch and then fret the 12th fret. If they do not match, I'll adjust the saddles and then retune up to pitch and try again. I have also tried detuning the string and moving the saddle, then tuning back up to pitch. So far it seems that the only strings that I can get intonated close enough are the High E and the G string.

I think the strings might be getting choked by the nut because the slots might not be wide enough?

Before I changed the nut the guitar would be intonated pretty well, but the string slots of the old bone nut were cut to low. I bought the Turbo Tuner the same time as the new nut so I was hoping to use it to get better intonation. Now I cant even get close.

 

[bfcg]

Does the turbo tuner show numbers are just a strobe or needle?
Did you measure the action before you began?
You have to absolutely make sure that the strings are sitting at the bottom of the slots and that the strings "take off" from the very edge.
The Erlewine popsicle stick might not work so well on a Graphite nut but you could try if you do not have the proper files. Ask about it if you need to.
You probably can't hear the binding of the string with a graphite nut either.
I'm not sure how Mr. Erlewine feels about this but I linked it from another thread.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTE3MzA1NDEy.html

 

[Nays]

The turbo tuner is pure strobe controlled by leds.

Unfortunately I didnt measure the action before I began. However, I believe it was only slightly below where it is now. Maybe 4/64 on the Low E? I wanted to raise the action anyway.

I think you're right about the strings not sitting in the bottom of the slots. I just looked at it and I dont think the sting looks like its hitting the bottom and no I cannot hear any binding of the string, which is a good thing I suppose considering the nut material. lol

The nut was preslotted to fit 10s so I figured I might run into problems using 11s. I recently saw the Erlewine popsicle stick trick in one of his videos that was recently posted. I may try this. If just widening the slots is all I need to do then I dont think it'll be hard to do that. I just wanted to cover my bases before I decided to do anything about it.

 

[Nays]

Hows this look?

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1491/dsc04946l.jpg