Fixing nut???

[Jazz Rock]

Hey Guys,

While working on my Epiphone, in preparation for the swap of pickups, I accidently knocked out the nut from its slot, which tend to show I didn't do a great job when I installed it in th efirst place (replaced the stock nut with a tusk one a few years ago). I was actually looking at it and thinking it wasn't greatly installed, or shaped (higher strings grooves too deep, edges too sharp) so it is actually no bad thing that it came out. I took out some sanding paper and worked a bit on it. Now that I am happier with its shape, I just realised that the contact between the nut and the neck was neither continuous, nor level.

It is mainly the surface of the slot in the neck that is a bit messy. I am a bit nervous to sand further the slot in the the neck though and was wondering how people usually do to get a good surface of contact. I was wondering if a bit of wood filler would be the solution to maximise the contact area? Also, do you you need a particular type of glue to fix the nut? The one I used last time was not doing a great job it seems... but then it might be because of the poor level of contact between the 2 parts?

Hopefully I'll resolve the de-soldering issue this week end based on your advice I got in another thread. But the guitar won't be ready to be played until I solve this issue with the nut. Arghh!!! When will I get to play this set of MQs in this guitar???

[Keven]

to be honest i wouldn't be so nervous sanding the nut slot to a level area. i would get that part of the guitar even first. and then with a brand new nut i would focus on sanding the nut's bottom evenly so it's a snug fit with the bottom surface.

newer tusq nuts are usually nicely cut on the top. usually all you have to do is sand it properly on the bottom and the string radius and break angle is usually well done factory wise. it might cost you a new nut but it's worth it IMHO.

[Jazz Rock]

Thanks Keven,

You are probably right, I'll do a bit more work on the slot in the neck, but I don't think I need a new nut, the one I have is in good condition, just needed a few tweaks.

What type of glue should I be using?

[Keven]

elmer's glue. something soft that can be easily broken away if you need to remove the nut for a reason or another.

brand new nuts are really high anyway so unless you sand like a maniac and go all the the through your neck XD ... there isn't much chance of anything going wrong if you approach it like a craftman's job.

[WezV]

i generally use a small dab of super glue for nuts.  its brittle enough to allow the nut to be removed easily with a small knock when needed.  i put the small dab of super glue on the nut whilst away from the guitar to prevent accidents

but wood glue does work well, the whole point is you need to be able to remove it easily which both types of glue allow, its also why epoxy is not recommended for this.  wood glue does allow easier clean up if you make a mistake

i like the quicker fixing time with superglue - but on most guitars, as long as the fit is good and headstock not a crazy design, the string pressure will hold the nut in place whilst the glue dries anyway - but beware of thicker strings pulling the nut out of place as you tune if the glue is not fully set and the slots are not fully smoothed

[Jazz Rock]

Thanks guys, just waiting for the rain to stop and I am off to buy some wood glue. Hopefully I will managed to put the Epi back together by the end of the day.