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Guitar Repair question - Nut replacement?
Posted on 8/27/24 at 7:40 am
Posted on 8/27/24 at 7:40 am
I have a very nice Taylor Custom GS that the G string has recently been "sticking" while I tune it. Meaning as I tune it, nothing happens and them a clicking/popping sound and it over adjusts and it just hard to tune. All the other strings change pitch when I turn the tuner as normal.
This guitar had the problem 5 years ago when I bought it and, took to a luthier who worked on it but did not replace the nut and it stopped for many years but it is back.
Is it time to replace the nut and if so how much is a fair price for such a repair? Any advice is appreciated.
Note: Based on info here, I just bought 3 sets of D'Addario Guitar Strings - XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings and I dont want to burn a $18 set of strings just to find out the nut needs to be replaced
This guitar had the problem 5 years ago when I bought it and, took to a luthier who worked on it but did not replace the nut and it stopped for many years but it is back.
Is it time to replace the nut and if so how much is a fair price for such a repair? Any advice is appreciated.
Note: Based on info here, I just bought 3 sets of D'Addario Guitar Strings - XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings and I dont want to burn a $18 set of strings just to find out the nut needs to be replaced
3
Posted on 8/27/24 at 7:44 am to Crow Pie
Here is a pic and I put some lubricate on the nut so that is why it looks wet but no change so far...
Posted on 8/27/24 at 8:15 am to Crow Pie
Since you've had to work on it before, I would probably just go on and replace the nut, with a graphtech or tusq one.
If you order the nut yourself it will be about 20 bucks for a pre-slotted one, then probably 100 bucks for installing it and getting it right....around here.
I just installed a brass nut on this Marlboro acoustic guitar. Can't believe what a great difference it made.
Probably going to do that to a couple of more.
If you order the nut yourself it will be about 20 bucks for a pre-slotted one, then probably 100 bucks for installing it and getting it right....around here.
I just installed a brass nut on this Marlboro acoustic guitar. Can't believe what a great difference it made.
Probably going to do that to a couple of more.
Posted on 8/27/24 at 9:01 am to auggie
I definitely will let an expert do it. Hell, I struggle to put new strings on!!! 
Posted on 8/27/24 at 9:15 am to Crow Pie
In the meantime, you could loosen up the strings enough to put chapstick in the nut slots under the strings with a toothpick. Might help.
Posted on 8/27/24 at 9:24 am to Crow Pie
quote:
Nut replacement
quote:
I put some lubricate on the nut
Posted on 8/27/24 at 9:50 am to auggie
quote:will try that too first.
In the meantime, you could loosen up the strings enough to put chapstick in the nut slots under the strings with a toothpick. Might help.
Posted on 8/28/24 at 11:47 am to Crow Pie
You don't need a nut replacement, you need the slots cut correctly. Lip balm may help but very often it won't cure that string pinch when you tune and the PANG when the pinched string releases.
Your slots were either poorly cut at the factory (I'm pretty sure that model is an Asian import made for Taylor under contract); or the gauge of strings you are using now are a larger gauge that the OEM strings. Either way, a lighter gauge string set usually improves if not cures the scenario.
Your slots were either poorly cut at the factory (I'm pretty sure that model is an Asian import made for Taylor under contract); or the gauge of strings you are using now are a larger gauge that the OEM strings. Either way, a lighter gauge string set usually improves if not cures the scenario.
Posted on 8/28/24 at 2:47 pm to TheFretShack
this ^^^
Had this happen on one of mine. You'd tune and just as it was practically perfect pitch it'D GO PANG (like Fret described).
The fix was to use a small file to open up the offending slot a wee-bit more. Think finger nail file size tool and the amount removed almost imperceptible. Just be careful to not lower a string, you just want to remove a tiny amount from a side(s). It was so simple the luthier didn't charge me as he'd done other work on this guitar. He just loosened a string, a couple swipes, and he was re-tuning.
Having seen it I'd try it myself next time....not to say it's so easy even a cave man can do it.... YMMV
Had this happen on one of mine. You'd tune and just as it was practically perfect pitch it'D GO PANG (like Fret described).
The fix was to use a small file to open up the offending slot a wee-bit more. Think finger nail file size tool and the amount removed almost imperceptible. Just be careful to not lower a string, you just want to remove a tiny amount from a side(s). It was so simple the luthier didn't charge me as he'd done other work on this guitar. He just loosened a string, a couple swipes, and he was re-tuning.
Having seen it I'd try it myself next time....not to say it's so easy even a cave man can do it.... YMMV
Posted on 8/28/24 at 4:13 pm to TheFretShack
quote:
Either way, a lighter gauge string set usually improves if not cures the scenario.
Great news. Would 12-53 XS Phosphor Light be light enough or should I try extra light?
Posted on 8/28/24 at 5:44 pm to Crow Pie
If you have 13s on the guitar now, yes to 12s. If you have 12s on the guitar now, yes to 11s
Posted on 8/28/24 at 5:55 pm to awestruck
If you are going to try it yourself, you better have actual gauged-width nut slot files, at least the files with the gauges that are best applicable to the string gauges you use. My nut file collection is probably 40 or so files.
Equally as bad as accidentally recutting a nut slot too deep is accidentally cutting the slot too wide. The string moving side to side in the slot can sound and sound warbly and deadened.
Equally as bad as accidentally recutting a nut slot too deep is accidentally cutting the slot too wide. The string moving side to side in the slot can sound and sound warbly and deadened.
Posted on 8/28/24 at 6:50 pm to TheFretShack
Fwiw. Its is a 2008 Custom GS Sinkerwood made in El Cajon. Serial Number Number 20080903101. I am going to bring it to a repair shop here as it needs a professional tune up since it been a few years. Buddy Duchamp used to be my guy so I will see if he is still at it.
This post was edited on 8/28/24 at 6:58 pm
Posted on 8/28/24 at 10:56 pm to Crow Pie
Question, that slot for the G-string is it irregular looking from the lub?
Putting on the reading glasses it looks tight on top (string looks reduced up there) and as large as the Bass-E in the middle. But maybe it's not. Other thing is they all look deeper than mine across the nut. All of mine sit up more on top and not down as deep.
Putting on the reading glasses it looks tight on top (string looks reduced up there) and as large as the Bass-E in the middle. But maybe it's not. Other thing is they all look deeper than mine across the nut. All of mine sit up more on top and not down as deep.
Posted on 8/29/24 at 7:09 am to awestruck
quote:I think the luthier used graphite or a lead pencil the first time I had it serviced and that is why it look discolored. As I now remember it, their was also buzzing sound on the G string when I first got. It had sat in a old lady closet for 10 years when I bought it.
Question, that slot for the G-string is it irregular looking from the lub?
Putting on the reading glasses it looks tight on top (string looks reduced up there) and as large as the Bass-E in the middle. But maybe it's not. Other thing is they all look deeper than mine across the nut. All of mine sit up more on top and not down as deep
I will bring it to a pro because I want it to be right and repair it outside my level of comfort. Here is it in it's full beauty... is the one on the right in the pic.
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