Dan Erlewine's Quick Fix for Fret Buzz Caused by the Nut

In this video Dan Erlewine demonstrates a quick fix for fret buzz caused by worn nut slots.
Products used in this video include:
Nut Rescue Lubricated Nut Repair Powder
www.stewmac.com/item/2348
#10 Super Glue
www.stewmac.com/item/0010
Razor Knife
www.stewmac.com/item/4878
Gauged Nut Slotting Files
www.stewmac.com/item/0821
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Shop StewMac: www.stewmac.com
Facebook: / stewmac
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar

[@Boogiethrash]

I love this guy. Don’t even know him and he’s a positive influence on my life. Could watch for hours.

[@wolfgang4136]

Me too. I wish he had a weekly hour long show👍👍

[@HBSuccess]

Dan is da man - He is an industry icon - I read his columns in Guitar Player when so was in high school 40+ yrs ago! He made a name taking good care of the 70’s guitar gods’ axes, there is nobody better. And those who are equal learned from Dan Erlewine. StewMac is very lucky to have him.

[@gilwood7530]

I hear ya ! I love watching him !!!

[@scottmulrooney3130]

I spent a couple weeks with him in the late 80’s/early 90’s. I took 2 repair classes that were offered at the time. He’s as good a person as he is a repairman. Great guy!

[@colehara]

Caleb, I agree. Relaxing to watch and listen to.

[@dannyt2885]

Mr. Dan I can't believe you waited two and a half years to do this simple fix to your guitar! But that's how it usually goes, fix everybody else's guitars and put you own on the back burner. Love your videos, much respect!

[@stewmac]

Something about cobbler's children and no shoes.... 🙃

[@jojokeo]

Been watching and reading Dan's work since StewMac only produced a paper catalog 4 times a year, and Dan had a full head of dark hair! :) Wishing you the best always Dan!

[@srwaite7]

Hey Dan! It's a been a long time! I fondly remember those days in Big Rapids, Michigan in the late 70s/early 80s when you would take care of my guitars.

[@seanatteberry3686]

I remember him from Big Rapids, too. He fixed my Hofner Bass.

[@Pj4ms]

Ya gotta love Mr. Erlewine! He reminds me of my Pop (rip) who would help me work my guitars when I was young. My Dad didn't play guitar but he was incredibly mechanically gifted & an encyclopedia of practical advice. I own most all of Dan Erlewine's books on Guitar repair & especially treasure the fret repair books. It was in fact my Dad, who after reading one of Dan's repair articles in a late 80's Guitar Player Mag, said to me "Read this repair article... pay attention to the measurments, tools & advice.. follow this Erlewine guy, " It was surprising to hear my Dad say that because he repaired EVERYTHING himself & didn't have confidence in other people's repair or precision skills--in any field. I just listened & he was so absolutely right. I've never met Dan Erlewine but he's a mentor & when it comes to fixing the guitar he's a true & valued compass bearing. Cheers!

[@blinddeadmcjones5255]

Great comment man, your dad sounds like a smart man

[@dr_streudel]

Dan's really the Bob Ross of luthiery.

[@demian113]

Dan is the Bob Ross of guitar repair and maintenance. I can watching his tutorials for hours and it's such useful information! I bought his guide to guitar maintenance 18yrs ago and it taught me so much. Probably saved me thousands in setup/repair costs on my guitars over the years. Thanks Dan!

[@lennyromano4742]

Happy little frets

[@randyblack4242]

What a pleasure watching you work, Dan. Thank you.

[@JHil35]

Always a good thing when there is a new Dan Erlewine Video ! Thanks and Keep em coming !

[@freddy4859]

I used to watch StewMac videos after school. (After two or three episodes I used to fall asleep.) Dan is seriously a treasure. Love to everybody at StewMac!❤️

[@180523]

Dan I can't say how much I appreciate your contributions here! I love doing my own work on my instruments, and you make it easy! Cheers!

[@Achase4u]

Dan's videos warm my heart! My first guitar repair book was Dan's. I got it when I was a teenager and started working on my own guitars. Thank you, Dan and StewMac!

[@davetheguitarplayer]

I have learned so much from this man years ago (from my old StewMac repair video purchases) that I share with my guitar students to this day. So very happy to see him still sharing this wealth of knowledge! LEGEND.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Bless you Dan, always a pleasure!

[@joecrowaz]

Dan, you always make me feel like I can do it! You and the StewMac guys are simply the best.

[@theartshow1476]

Dan you are very inspiring! You are my go to for all my guitar tune ups and repairs!

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

Brilliant! Thank you Dan for sharing with us your tips!

[@Tiburcio1950]

Like always, outstanding tip. I have followed a number of your approaches to fixes, thanks.

[@gregmartin1757]

Thanks once again dan ! Appreciate all i have learned from watching you for many years.

[@roberto_alves]

Mr. Erlewine, it's good to see you again and well nowadays, specially with all this virus stuff around the world. I hope you and your family stay safe. Thanks for more one great guitar tricks video. Regards from Rio

[@briansimpson8116]

Watching you teach is a great pleasure.

[@JoeyB7615]

Dan your knowledge and experience is truly priceless thank you for giving us a glimpse of a true master craftsman

[@conan5885]

Have a huge respect for this gentlemen... Thankyou so much Mr. Erlewine for all all i learned from you, in your videos and your books. It allowed me to do most of the repairs and setups on all of my guitars :)

[@mxaxe5591]

Thank you for your videos. I always get something out of them and appreciate your experience.

[@Doug5524]

First-class video Dan thank you from the UK

[@jrad22ful]

Dan is a hero of mine - straight up good advice! I have his Guitar Player Repair Guide, 3rd edition, everything a guitar player should know at 3 levels.

[@johnsanchez8612]

Thank you Dan! Love your videos I’ve been a fan for a long time. Hope all is well.👍

[@mrtwrecks]

Dan, I have a 2005 Ovation that was given to me by my father that was in bad shape after 15+ years of being my primary guitar. It was bad enough that I was considering getting a new guitar. My father passed away in 2010, so I really didn’t want to write it off just yet. Thanks to your videos, I was able to repair the guitar-literally just finished after weeks of hard work and learning everything from you! I can’t thank you enough! The wealth of knowledge you possess and have decided to gift to the world through your videos is priceless. They will surely stand the test of time and help many more people through the years! Thank you again! 🙏🏼

[@surfrby8876]

Thank you Dan , this is a big help , for someone with a heavy hand that hates replacing nuts !

[@rickhbrown]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

[@guitarz]

this channel is a life saver and my dream job/shop

[@papascott]

Thanks Dan. I've got the stuff ordered. I knew you would have what I needed even before I knew what it was.

[@rickhenry1833]

Thanks Dan ! great job !

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I have both of his Books and they are great. He is awesome. Dan is the man.

[@tlhome7565]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the help! All the beswt from Hamburg Germany. 🙂

[@svencilliers]

this guys is like Bob Ross of guitar repair

[@shredvansshredquarters]

Thx ole StewieBoi, been doing minor and intermediate luthier work for almost 20years but my new job thrust me right into full on repair guy for all stringed instruments, including orchestra instruments. Anywho, I was told about the super glue + baking soda method but hadn't had a fix that required it....until now. I currently am not working at the store and this is on my personal 8 strang multi scale classical guitfiddle, and my high E buzzes when its open. Thanks so much for coaching me through this, about to give a whirl.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Great video Dan.

[@Projekt59]

Thank you Dan. Yesterday I had a gig and during the soundcheck the nut of my snakebyte snapped loose and the low E-string cut out a piece of the slot. With this method I could quickly repair the nut slot. However, I filed down a string pin from an acoustic guitar to powder because I didn't have the bone powder available so quick. I will replace the whole nut now but I wanted to let you know that you really helped me out. I really wanted to play my guitar and with this knowledge it worked out.

[@marianomatiaspolito4475]

Just what i need. Thank you

[@joeshea1010]

Thanks a million Dan

[@bluesyjazzcat31]

What a cool fix!

[@wimgohres6609]

Thanks Dan, great and inspirational videos. Love the easy way you show how to repair and customize. Other than with videos you don't talk too much and do not show the obvious stuff, so I do not get to the point I want to skip parts. Please keep on going.

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Very Informative!! Thanks so much for this great video. Cheers

[@beyondlimitsproductions1468]

Appreciate your wisdom !

[@tomshaug]

Thank you very much Dan, hope we can enjoy a visit again one day up at the great luthiers get together up in Woodstock, all the best

[@Schnitzelradarada-lp2wr]

awesome video!

[@2Lukes]

thanks alot mate very helpful

[@artiefufkin5015]

This dude is so cool; bought the powder and #10 glue off this video alone. Dan reminds me of my guitarist grandfather who passed away in 2011. I miss him dearly. ❤️ Thanks for the video. Total class!

[@thelightstillshines2476]

I had some bone dust powder I got from a buck deer antler I was using it to make a little Medallion necklace with a crystal stone in it

[@southpaw1959channel]

Dan, I love your videos. Don't know how many I have seen about filling/fixing nut slots, but there is always some new little detail I pick up from watching you. Would love to know how to keep those whip tips from plugging up!

[@jim9214]

AWESOME Dan!!! Thanks so much... I'm fixing a Tele deluxe with the same issue..and don't want redo the nut!! But don't have access to the magic dust...so will use baking soda and nail polish for a temporary fix.

[@RandyFricke]

Dan has forgotten more about guitar repair and maintenance than most of us remember. Thanks Dan. P.S. That is a beautiful guitar.

[@guitarsofold100]

Great tip Dan, thank you..

[@justindoerr3369]

The legend, Mr. Dan!

[@dba4292]

Dan is such a great guitar repair and tech guy and how can you not love the guy? I just got his 2nd edition book and it is filled with juicy gold nuggets. My Custom Shop BB now plays even better, but I will swap out the pickups and now I'm confident that I can! I also have a J200 that has a nut I want to work *just a tad on* should I go too far I now know how ta fix it :) Much love from Norway.

[@johnbrinkman9943]

Thanks for this, I was able to recover from my brute force badness, and it was fun!

[@theohmeyegods]

My first acoustic nut split in half as a kid, years before I even knew where to buy a new one haha. I carved little grooves in a pencil and sat it behind the nut for a few years before i found a new one. Worked fine and didn't mess up the action.

[@Charlie6String56]

Funny thing I did this last night to my 00028 that developed a buzz on the high E. I wake up this AM, and there’s a video lesson from Dan waiting in my email!

[@RedRose4711]

Good helpful video!

[@kaybhee6]

Sensei...it is people like you, that make this world a good and fun place.... many kind thanks for leading us to better ways,,, too bad we can click only once on Like,, and not a billion times.

[@stratocastertweak8166]

Awesome Mr. Dan, I don't know why my open low E string rattles. Drive me nuts. Since my Epiphone Les Paul nut is brass type, temporarily I used bubble gum wrap, rattles sound gone. Now can play with peace of mind 😅. Will get a new nut soon. Cheers and god bless you, your family & your dedicated team too 🙏

[@dittmerg]

Thank you Dan

[@harinagitari8591]

Thank you sir

[@kevc6115]

I laughed when I saw the cigarette foil being used to raise the string. That technique is still widely used! I was at my luthier recently and we spoke at length about Dan and his videos. He is a massive fan of Dan's and his workshop of full of StewMac tools and gadgets. My luthier is well known in Ireland and beyond and has a great reputation.

[@TempleGuitars]

It was chewing gum wrapper.

[@MrDanbecker]

I love you man .. You are the best .. Thanks for the tips ..

[@Billy_Dino]

how can you not like dan?! from bubblegum paper to best luthier in the globe with the same humbleness! a true blue madlad!

[@FranciscoGarcia-hi3zx]

Wow just yesterday I needed a video on how to properly raise the bone nut weird coincidence. Luckily I Didn’t have to but great to know now!

[@keithjohnston5936]

Dan, absent Nut Powder, could you have used a little fine ebony dust mixed with a touch of graphite and then CA glue? Thanks for all the knowledge, my son thinks I’m smart.

[@Garriswillbegarris]

Wow thanks!

[@phoenixrising3303]

always good to know

[@iamroberty]

Dan Erlewine is a national treasure.

[@clysher]

I have started collecting my wood dust and shavings for filling gaps and nut repairs. Thanks for the tips!

[@zapa1pnt]

I bought pen turning blanks, in several woods, from Rockler. (approx 1x1x4) I file them and some old bone nuts and saddles, with a double cut bastard. I save the dust in small prescription bottles. I don't use sanding dust, because I don't want any sanding grit in the powder.

[@chopper0130ab]

Sir I watched you and used baking soda , I was going to use JB Weld however I watched you and choose baking soda . Improvise, Overcome Adapt. Used what I had. Thank you Art B in Mass. Subscribed

[@drewg3087]

Great video! Glaser is the one to go to in Nashville. As a native trust me.

[@adachan7589]

I just spent 200 buck at your shop. Hope it will work. Thanks Dan.

[@bostaflamejante1308]

Well, thanks a bunch!

[@DjiDo]

Love it.

[@BunkMasterFlex77]

Nut powder keep me dry all day long. Thanks Stew Mac!

[@arctichare8185]

Yay for the nut powder!

[@x6x745]

we love Dan Erlewine

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

I have your book, " How to make your electric guitar play great ". Good information in it. I have successfully put superglue in the nut slot. Filed it properly so the open string rings clear. It doesn't wear down and will last many years. That being said, your version is better.

[@leftyjaysmith]

Can you do this to the top of a acoustic saddle to raise the action of one string? Epoxy or super glue? My low E is a bit too low, but the rest of the strings are perfect. It's a compensated saddle. It also has an under saddle pickup, so a shim is not an option. My only other option is to get another saddle made. But if I can build up the height of the low E string and not lose resonance or volume thru the pickup, that would be great.

[@nellax8314]

dude this is my new "i need something wholesome right now" channel lol

[@GetawaysandGuitars]

I've used the old baking soda a trick a few times ;0)

[@arctichare8185]

How long does the baking soda fix last? (Is it baking soda and super glue?)

[@GetawaysandGuitars]

@@arctichare8185 Yeah, it seems permanent on white bone and plastic ;0)

[@markn4526]

Great info! I find that a lot of Gibson Custom Shop guitars have a nut slot cut very deep, often too deep for the high E string causing it to rattle on the 1st fret when played open. These guitars usually have nylon nuts. I've used various fillers for nuts made from plastic, bone and other materials that work very well, but never one made from nylon. What can be used as a filler for a nylon nut?

[@LPCustom3]

Dan, what do you use for the old Nylon Gibson nuts( and also the newer Gibson Historics)? How would one fill those? Thanks!

[@oldguy5381]

Hey a little bit of information can go a long way, thanks stay safe

[@blueabsinthe]

I am using Bondic. Works perfect and fast. Transparent. Also works i to big screw holes.

[@Mrozzzone]

Man, I'm so happy every time dan comes out with a video teaching stuff! Just because of those videos i just opened my guitar repairshop here in chile and it's going great!! Thanks dan!!!

[@faperito2389]

Weeena ctm, Dan es el mejor 💕

[@tillmanwalters1219]

I have a ES 335 with a string buse on the E sting and G still. Would you consider working on it.

[@brucetodd1213]

Would love some more specific guidance on how much of the nut dust and how much super glue to load into the slot. Also is there a guide to what width file to use for different string slots? I need to do this to the high e string on a Strat neck that I string with 010s.

[@blackship14]

If I have a color black guitar nut and don't have this kind of powder, can I use charcoal as an alternative?

[@RickFoxx777]

Mr. Erlewine, Perhaps you can help me...I have broken the actual NUT slot that the nut goes in on my strat. can I build it back up or can I place a nut against the existing fret board like on many LP's or acoustics? Any help will be appreciated Thanks.

[@brianhm1966]

Hi do you have the red special plans?

[@reallyoldtom9352]

I guessing that the nut powder can be used to fill cracks in the fretboard. Where can I get some? Tom in Idaho

[@marcionobrega5117]

Gostei 👏👏👏

[@butthole4185]

These videos make me wanna repair guitars.

[@wchphoto]

Did the gum wrapper work? I've got some buzzes on a few guitars and I don't care much about esthetics! Thanks!

[@danceswithcritters]

I can't seem to find a nut powder shop around here .

[@luciferdragon8083]

Hi Dan, Can I seek your advice please? I just bought a Yamaha FG200 circa1973 (47 years old). The action at 12fret was over 5mm, I reduced it to 2.9mm. However truss rod is barely working. There is slight bow in the neck near the soundhole. Otherwise I am quite happy. I want to ask - As this guitar is old and neck is slightly bent, is it a good idea to loosen strings daily after playing to lessen the tension on the neck? Thank you for your advice. :)