Making my LP play better with the right nut files?

[richedie]

Hi guys!

How difficult is it to file down a Les Paul nut? I have a new LP Studio Deluxe and only issue I have is the nut needs to be cut lower. Can I do this myself or is this something a tech must do?

I don't want to spend a lot of money on expensive files, is there a cheaper universal file that I can use for all 6 slots on the LP nut?

Thanks!
Rich

 

[eddie_bowers]

Its super easy, but go slow and test.
There isn't much way around getting several size files, but you might can get away with three. (high E, G, A).
If you have a tech who is close that might be cheaper than the files. It will take them a few minutes only.

 

[richedie]

Its super easy, but go slow and test.
There isn't much way around getting several size files, but you might can get away with three. (high E, G, A).
If you have a tech who is close that might be cheaper than the files. It will take them a few minutes only.

How about something like this?
Guitar Nut Files | eBay

 

[gtr-tek]

Some of those are better than others. A good set is worth having if you go through guitars frequently of are maintaining a fair sized collection. I like doing my own work as I get exactly what I want.

 

[richedie]

Some of those are better than others. A good set is worth having if you go through guitars frequently of are maintaining a fair sized collection. I like doing my own work as I get exactly what I want.

How do you measure the nut depth so that you don't end up with some deeper than others?

 

[DPaulCustom]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AxeMasters-...681?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2a26f6c021
Any opinion on this one?,
Granted, it wont be very useful if the nut is already installed, but if you're gonna replace a cheap nut

 

[gtr-tek]

How do you measure the nut depth so that you don't end up with some deeper than others?

There are several methods. One is to use feeler gauges to stack up to the height of the first fret plus a thousandth or two for wear. Place that next to the nut and file away to just touching. I just eyeball the string height over the first fret and make it similar to the string height over the second fret when fretting on the first. Some take a pencil and cut it in half lengthwise and scribe a line on the nut by laying it flat on the frets and drawing it across. File to the line.

Make sure you angle the slots back away from the bridge end of the nut. Otherwise, you will get some strange tones and buzzing. Always make sure you have your bridge height and neck relief set first as these affect the angle of the string to the nut, thus the fretting height.

 

[Dougie]

Doing what you want to do is A. one of the easiest things to do and B. one of the easiest things to SCREW UP on a guitar.

I do it all with eyes and the feel of the strings under my fingertip, fretting on the first fret. Never fails to play right, but then I have been at this stuff since the 70s and could do it in my sleep.

There is no free ride, people used to try to make a diamond file pass for a nut file, it sucked. Those slots are critical in their shape, depth, and width. One file won't do 6 slots. The better the file is shaped, the better the slot will be shaped and the better the string will sound so buy the best files you can find if you want truly precision results.

If you aren't in this for a living, take it to a tech who is GOOD at making nuts and let them do it. $75 to $120 for a set of files is a meager investment for a luthier, but a lot to pay for a newb that just wants to tweak his guitar.