Why is nothing ever simple?

[Simon D]

Changed the strings and pickup rings on my Warmoth yesterday. Simple, straightforward job, you'd think? No. Not really, in this case. Took the strings off, started cleaning the neck, gently brushed the cloth I was using against the nut...and the nut popped off.

So, I consulted the big book of guitar maintenance, and glued the nut back on. Then, when I turned the guitar over to put the strings in, I realised that the saddles on the Wilkinson hadn't been clamped down properly (when the guitar was built), and the bloody saddles all moved. So it now needs to be reintonated, which I couldn't do yesterday, because the book said to leave the strings well below concert pitch while the glue sets on the nut. So, so far a 30 minute job has taken about 3 hours.

It was one of those days where nothing went according to plan.  :roll:

[CJ]

thats quite a disappointment. i'm still looking forward to changing my strings for the first time on my Dean when i get back from college. i haven't a clue how to change strings on an FR.

[Simon D]

I don't know much about Floyds either, despite having owned 3 guitars with one! What I do know is that you should always block off the trem so it stays level when the strings come off - they're a sod to reset.

[Jamie]

I don't know much about Floyds either, despite having owned 3 guitars with one! What I do know is that you should always block off the trem so it stays level when the strings come off - they're a sod to reset.

Either that or just take one string off at a time and re-string it and then start on the next string and so on.

[Twinfan]

^  That's the way I do it!  Much easier!

[Simon D]

^That makes sense. I only changed the strings on a Floyd loaded guitar once, and took all the strings off because I wanted to clean the neck!

[WezV]

you should have been ok to re-tune sooner than 24 hours,  i would wait a while on crazy shapes like banana headstocks but it aint needed for most.. depends on the glue, with a small drop of superglue it aint going to get any stronger after 1 minute.. if you use too much it takes longer so dont use too much

also, on the wilkinson the intonation is set by the screw at the back of the saddle,  that shouldnt have moved.  Just push the saddles forward till it meets the locking screw and lock them in place, you will probably find thats exactly where they were before... then check the intonation anyway!!

[Simon D]

There's a slight angle on the headstock, so I thought it was best to wait for a little while. Also, by that point last night, I wanted a pint! Thankfully, I didn't use too much glue, and it looks fine.

With the saddles, I just pushed them back against the screws and locked them down, and it seems to be more or less there.

[hunter]

thats quite a disappointment. i'm still looking forward to changing my strings for the first time on my Dean when i get back from college. i haven't a clue how to change strings on an FR.

Just make sure not to overtighten any of the screws (usual beginner mistake - I made it in 1990 with my first FR).
 
Just tighten them until they show a bit of resistance, turn 1/4 turn back open (ccw), and turn then 1/2 more turn to close (cw). That way it's tight but doesn't harm anything.

[MrBump]

Just out of interest, what sort of glue did you use on the nut?

[Simon D]

I used Evostick, which was what the maintanence book I've got recommended. It seems to have worked fine (crosses fingers!).

[Philly Q]

I used Evostick, which was what the maintanence book I've got recommended. It seems to have worked fine (crosses fingers!).

That's quite a rubbery sort of glue, isn't it?  Doesn't set very hard.  I guess that makes it relatively easy to remove when you need to change the nut again at a later date.

[WezV]

cant say i have used evo stick in a while (never for guitar stuff), but i do remember it being a bit rubbery. 

plain old wood glue or superglue work well, both used sparingly, both release with a gentle tap for future replacement

[Simon D]

It was Evostick wood adhesive (having just been downstairs to look at the bottle!). The book I checked (Dan Erlewine's Guitar Player Repair Guide) advised using straightforward white glue or hide glue, and my old man informed me the Evostick was white glue. I have to admit, my first reaction was to reach for the Araldite, but I'm glad I didn't.

[WezV]

lol   definately dont epoxy the thing in place!!!