Replace Your Guitar Nut - Tusq

[@TheRoseCityRockers]

I just installed the white manmade ivory Tusque nut on my 98 American Strat. What a game changer. The nut was simple to install. I just needed to sand off the bottom nub and take a little off one side to make it fit. The height was much better and as result, I was able to get my action lower than from the factory! Plus string clarity and sustain is much improved. Highly recommended!!

[@1949clayton]

I'm replacing the nut on my Made in Japan Les Paul copy with a Tusq nut. Thanks for the video. Jim

[@grahamt33]

I love the delivery on your videos so down to earth and 100 percent BS free

[@12south31]

Use a feeler gauge when fretting at the 3rd fret, between the string and 1st fret. Clearance should be .010 on the low E and .006 on the high E.

[@maekong2010]

12 South, this might be the most helpful bit of advice ever given for those of us who are fitting/cutting a nut in situations where there was no correctly cut original nut to begin with. You made my upcoming (and previously daunting) task much less anxiety-producing. Thank you.

[@12south31]

@@maekong2010 Happy to help

[@NoStringsAttached777]

Hopefully a helpful hint : With a felt tip pen mark a line on the edge of the nut on both sides of the end that sits in the neck slot. You now have a reference point to sand the nut down to i.e when you can only just see a bit of colour on both edges stop! Of course you can vary the line thickness to do what you want eg more or less off. I have found this useful especially when adjusting an existing nut. You can also (for example) adjust the treble end down only by only sanding to the mark on the treble end. It also means that you can do one bit of sanding that will lower the 3 treble strings instead of increasing the depth of 3 slots.Just think about the line thickness you need and mark it well before you start.Enjoy watching your videos, there is always something to learn and/or laugh about.Cheers

[@pedraw]

I used a Tusq XL on a Squier Tele I have. Unbelievable what difference it makes. Listen to the sound of it when you drop it on a fret. I will continue to use these when I replace nuts.

[@Secretarian]

Believable! I put a Tusq nut on my Squier Affinity Tele last year. All other things being equal, it sounded like a completely different guitar. Best single upgrade one can make to radically change your guitar tone for the better IMO. And doesn't cost a lot!

[@NoStringsAttached777]

Yes I noticed that. The Tusq nut sounded like ceramic not plastic. Hadn't thought there would be much difference in tone until now.Will have to investigate further!

[@OdinsRaven5]

Do you know which Tusq model you fitted, I want to do the same on my Affinity Tele. Was it the PQ-5000-00 TUSQ Nut? Thanks.

[@Graham-mu1ul]

Bought a tusq xl nut for my SG Epiphone guitar, people in the guitar shops are trying to sell me a 6 dollar bone nut, already tried a bone nut and it didn't resonate or sustain As much as the tusq xl nut,plus the tuning stability wasn't As good as tusq when I tried the bone one,put the cheap shit bone one On My 100 dollar el cheapo thrasher where the crappy thing belongs lol 😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂

[@TomTobin67]

I've bought several things from Tusq/Graph Tech and they make great stuff......Except for their acoustic string end pins and their picks. I love their String Saver saddles.

[@brianmcfarland876]

Just changed the nut on mine and had the same thing - nut sliding to one side. That was due to the strings not being at equal tension. Couple of quick twists of the tuners, and right back into line.

[@12south31]

Pro tip: when sanding the bottom of your nut to size, put some tape over the fretboard between 2 frets to protect it and then place your sandpaper over the tape and use the fretboard as a base to sand. The bottom of the nut will then match the radius of the slot perfectly!

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

this depends if the bottom of the nut needs a radius.

[@maekong2010]

Dave Barlow Yep. Put a straight-edge in the slot, and see if it “rocks.”

[@mrc942]

I did one on an epi SG. Was very happy with the result..

[@jnitro75]

Just stumbled on your channel not long ago, very entertaining, informative and genuine stuff man. :) Subscribed!!!

[@austinmilvet9174]

Good video! Boo to super glue. Nuts need changed a lot over the life of the guitar. Super glue just slows the changing process big time

[@jameshenz1780]

Ty for sharing! But some important specs were left out. The radius. Are those slots graduated in depth from hi E to low E to match the fret board radius? Thanks!! Jim

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Good point, they are generally good for most guitars and guitarists and you can purchase for your make and model. However I have other videos that show you how you can cut the slot height in your nut.

[@jubjub905]

The TUSQ stuff is great, but its not self lubricating unless its the TUSQ XL

[@jeremyfahrni529]

One of my first guitars was a Hamer. Nice entry level Les Paul wanna-be. Man was it heavy. You could have maimed someone with that thing.

[@Little960]

Thanks Dave. I wanted to do that to a few of my guitars and was kind of afraid to screw up. Very well explained. I'll just have to do it now. Keep making those videos, they're great.

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

you mess up ts just a nut, you can always buy another and try again.

[@Little960]

Actually I was afraid that I could damage the neck in the process.

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

just be careful when cleaning debris after you have removed the old nut.

[@milowagon]

I had the same problem with a les paul. I raised the stop bar behind the bridge by two or three turns, that fixed the sticking problem at the nut. It seems to decrease the tension of the strings, even at pitch. An old geezer in a workshop gave me the tip. What do ya recon?

[@marc1kim]

Thanks much for the video, i'm planning on doing this on my Epi. My Gibsons are good lubing slots with graphite , but that Epi plastic nut gotta go!

[@Terrysoddy]

Great video on this subject

[@seamanjive]

No nibs on your LP fret ends Dave ? Thx for the vid, gonna tackle this on a Tele.

[@dananthony6258]

Dude , how do you knock your nuts off ? That’s crazy. Definitely a strong guitar. I love the Blackstar hat. Great video brother .

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

very carefully with my little wooden mallet. small light taps

[@dananthony6258]

@@DaveBarlowGuitar Gibson sent my les paul back after fret dressing and the hi e string is literally sitting on the first fret. 3 weeks later I’m still waiting for a phone call back. I think I need to replace the nut. I think it was filed to low. 🫣🙄🤔😲🥺😒😞😔😟😤

[@shoominati23]

A little trick is to get the nut nice and toasty with a heat gun before knocking it loose, then you stand much less of a chance of knocking off a chunk of your finish.

[@cgavin1]

Strongly do not recommend putting a heat gun anywhere near a guitar finished in nitro.:)

[@stephenkrus]

That was kinda easy! 👌

[@Xcorgi]

P.S, the Tusq nut might be better than the original plastic but brass is superior to all. Also, as I've said before. The Tusq saddles will DESTROY your tone but I've never installed a Tusq nut so I can't say for sure about that.

[@bluwng]

My strat has a painted headstock with urethane finish, it feels like it’s buried in epoxy and can’t break it loose

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Get the sharp knife out

[@Stevenotfamous]

Am afraid to do this myself to my les paul, should I go to the luthier?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

YES :)

[@Stevenotfamous]

@@DaveBarlowGuitar thx Dave!

[@Tulkien]

Hi Dave! Do you have a video about how to setup the nut for bigger gauge of strings for example? What I have to care? How should look like? I put some heavier gauge on my tele. 0.58, 0.48, 0.38 and so. Btw very useful videos you do! Actually I also have Irongears in it :-) Thanks very much!

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

OK, for this I would go to a guitar repair person, some things are best left to experts.

[@Tulkien]

Dave Barlow, OK, thank you

[@blackfender100]

Thanks Dave.Ever try A Brass nut ? I have it on several and I like it a lot.

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Yes I had one on my Gordon Smith as stock, had lots of issues with it sticking but have friends who swear by them.

[@jayz6008]

every one seems to have such an easy time installing these . I tried installing mine in my Les Paul custom and the high strings buzzed a lot especially the G. they buzzed for a while then I let the nut sit in there for a day and the buzz kind of went away but the strings sound super dead and muffled . which is strange because the nut is the same height and size minus the length . the biggest difference I see is that my old nut has longer and deeper string slots . I don't think I'll be trying to install one again . I either suck at this or my guitar won't accept this nut

[@HighSpeedirt1]

I recommend having a good set of nut files any time you replace a nut even if it's pre-cut. I have a couple of Stew Mac files in the string gauges I use. The Buzzing you are having is usually caused by the angle of the string slot not being cut correctly. The slots should be cut so there is a slight downward angle from front to back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ-Uq2WIYtxmn5Y

[@izzy8371]

For a bone nut what would you suggest ? I have a Les Paul guitar

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

I use Tusq as per video, tried brass was good then started to get sticky, Tusq is the best by far.

[@izzy8371]

I'll give it a try then !

[@Graham-mu1ul]

Tusq is better than bone,more resonance and better sustain with the strings, also stays in tune really nice and has better tone

[@tonefingerz2021]

so easy.lay i back and push down n sand a sec. then lay on but push down on flat surface in sandpaper and sand a sec and done. and the dam tusq nuts do sound so much better and play way better on an epiphone

[@areyouavinalaff]

8:51 holy fuck magic trick

[@davidAll5]

excellent job, thanx

[@bessiebraveheart]

I've got about thirty one guitars, I think, plus two pedal steels. I've put bone nuts on all the ones that hadn't got bone nuts on. except the pedal steels of course. I'm an old player who just likes bone nuts. oh I've got a couple I tried with aluminium and brass nuts.

[@baumfr]

You have a lot of guitars. And it's hard not to respect a man with brass nuts.

[@GreenshieldKnight]

any relation?

[@p_1210]

Hi Dave how is the nut going mate have you been happy with its functionality? Also what grit sandpaper did you use? Cheers

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Tusq XL was Brilliant, 240 grit, use finer if you only need to take off a little. If you do not have a machine flat surface take it to your local guitar tech as is very cheap to get done.

[@Demon-Knight]

Hi Dave maybe you could help me. I have a Epiphone ZW 2003 model the problem is the the hex nut for the truss rod has stripped and I was wondering if it can be replaced. I couldn't find any information on this subject at all so I thought it would be best to ask you as you a lot about guitars.

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Yes, www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Truss_Rod_Installation_and_Repair/Bad_news_a_stripped_truss_rod_nut_Good_news_an_easy_solution_.html

[@Demon-Knight]

The thing is Dave I don't know if the hex nut can actually be removed I read somewhere the hex nut might be welded to the actual truss rod. Right now I have been trying to find out if it can actually be removed or if it needs serious work done to it

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

get something in there and screw it out as far as possible to have a look.

[@Kykkelelikuuu]

Is it necessary to intonate the guitar after you've replaced the nut?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

I thought not but last nut I did on my Explorer I had to tweak intonation a bit.

[@Kykkelelikuuu]

Thanks, good to know!

[@DMKahn]

Can't hurt, it's not difficult

[@Terrysoddy]

Love your accent are you British or austrailian

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

British (live in south London) :)

[@zombiemontage]

I know the nuts come pre-slotted but isn't it recommended to file each slot even more so your strings fit snugly and flush?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

perhaps you are right but doing the way I showed you in the video works fine and in all honesty far simpler.

[@zombiemontage]

With that being said, I bought a cheap pre-slotted bone nut from ebay for a Yamaha acoustic. Once I sanded it down to the original nut size and fitted it, the strings fit in the slots just fine and I saw no need to do any filing. It heavily improved the sound from the cheap plastic one that was on it. I think you notice the difference much more on an acoustic.

[@JonathanRingo]

If something just seems like it's getting a little easier......... I start getting suspicious.... lol.

[@maekong2010]

Did anyone else cry when he applied superglue to the nut?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

oh come on it was just a small amount

[@maekong2010]

Dave Barlow I got you, Dave, but I still tried to crawl through the screen with a bottle of Elmer’s when I realized what was about to happen! 😆

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

@@maekong2010 what type of glue is Elmers (I'm from the UK so not heard of it) please also send a link so other viewers can see what you mean :)

[@maekong2010]

@Dave Barlow - Sorry, mate. I should have realized being from the UK, you might not have heard of it. Here's a link to the UK equivalent: www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FPVA-Glue-240ml-Multipurpose-Adhesive-Paper-Cardboard-Wood-Craft-Home-School-%2F183144087848&psig=AOvVaw3Qon8lmp8lRk74BGRYxRtR&ust=1601566346208000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCPikzuiZkewCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD Seriously, just a dab or two will do ya. If the nut’s cut right the slot and string tension do all the heavy lifting or, in this case, clamping. The glue is just there for peace of mind.😉

[@joeninety4740]

My but has just come loose. What do I stick it down with?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Your nut is lose, I would take it out and inspect it, I usualy glue with a couple of specs of superglue, some people may disagree and use another type of glue, trust me it makes no difference to tone.

[@walterstark4775]

What equipment are you using for your opening theme?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Gordon Smith flying v, with Irongear Blues Engine pickups, through a blackstar ID core 20, recorded direct onto my computer using audacity free recording software.

[@blendi3825]

Les Paul better than Stratocaster, you just showed us another reason 👍

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Every guitar has its benefits :)

[@sabrebronx]

you in Canada?

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

sabrebronx London England

[@Xcorgi]

Just like others have suggested. If your going through the trouble of replacing the nut, use a brass nut! The tone and sustain will be greatly improved. I put those Tusq saddles on my Stat one time and it DESTROYED the tone! It sounded so generic that it didn't even sound like a Strat anymore. Especially on the clean channel. Of course I returned those shitty Tusq saddles and got my money back.

[@stevegore4504]

You super glued a nut to your guitar? Why not have a luthier sand and cut string angles? It’s not expensive and done properly. Never super glue a nut to your guitar

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

Not sure how it works round your way but its a two week wait and over £60 to get that done, fa simpler to do it myself, just showing you how easy it is to do. :)

[@waynechurchill7212]

Put a s pacer

[@kdlittlehawk]

WHY YA YELLLLLLLIIINNGGGG ??????

[@DaveBarlowGuitar]

I DONT KNOW LOL

[@gearsbetweenears]

Super glue! Fail.

[@raisingirl95608]

Super glue??? Sorry, you lost me there. Blaphemous

[@IntoTheMystery13]

Zezza Boono luthiers use super glue all the time

[@MobileDecay]

Lol. Yes. Super glue.