How to Remove a Les Paul Nut

[@daspacechoechechoz9028]

Then...the hack saw...a brilliant yet arguably terrifying introduction to an otherwise perfectly sane and rational procedure.

[@stofopdenaald132]

Just got a 70's Condor LP with a damaged nut, just ordered a new one, thank you for sharing your method to replace it 👍

[@DMidNyte]

Im so glad i found this video before i atempted to remove my nut. Thanks for the great info

[@moosey62]

Oh my. Well, I'm glad that worked. I tape off the nut at the fretboard and the headstock with some strong thick plastic tape before scoring anything. After scoring, like you did, give a couple of light taps to the nut from either side using a hammer and a block of wood. Then just use fret pliers to gently rock the nut out. Never had to use a hacksaw.

[@BITESIZEJONES]

The saw is best approach to get down deep. Last thing you want is to hit the nut with a hammer and only break the top part of the nut. Then you're dealing with grinding and a bunch of bulshit beneath.

[@HBSuccess]

Nice job. You just demonstrated the difference between a pro and hack.

[@seasonedtoker]

I like to heat up my knife slightly on an alcohol lamp to get through the finish really cleanly. after thorough scoring I just knock them out the old-fashioned way

[@jimmygrant3151]

Tried that many times and most times the lacquer on the neck chips. I now only do it this way.

[@keithanderson8488]

Nice job,glad I watched you before I took a chisel to it,strings keep popping out,very aggravated.putting brass one

[@thespiritof76..]

Great job! It’s the tricky part Is getting the old but out! Mess around and damage the slot, even slightly and it will never be right no matter what. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ivancalegari5595]

Thank you for this! Just got a Les paul for a steal, but I'm wondering where I could find a replacement nut. If you could help that'd be amazing!

[@einarabelc5]

Your video is heaps and bounds above Earvana's. Thanks!

[@brianhidalgo4315]

i had Guitar Center change the nut on my gibson les paul studio and they damaged the peg head veneer. the peg head veneer looks all folded and crumbled up where the nut meets up with it

[@edgoswick1271]

I wish I had watched this before I took the nut out of my SG. I have replaced nuts in a couple dozen other guitars, but none were trapped like the SG. I just started rocking the old nut with the nippers and the fretboard separated from the neck at the first fret.

[@BladeDoomer86]

🤯

[@dbbikernator9929]

Just got a Gibson LP and the nut groove seems too close to the fret edge on the hi E string and would love to redo the nut....do u have a video on the install of new nut? Thanks!

[@djleadone]

Hi. I don't work on guitars, I'm a jeweler by trade but I'm trying to fix my sg the third to the last string hits very bad notes where you can tune some, but go higher on the neck and they're out of tune. But to get a perfect smooth finish, you would first tape off the guitar, then the areas you will be working on will get varnished or whatever you use that will dry completely solid, then use a foredom hand piece with varying grits first removing the bulk then using the finer grits to refine the surface. Not hard at all.

[@anavnaj]

Amazing job, amazing video. Although it is also stressing me out a bit, as I'm thinking of changing a (lacquered in) nut on my Gretsch G5230t a it seems like a very delicate work where a lot might go really wrong.

[@in2mu5ic]

Older video post, I realize, but what's your take on scoring adequately, removing the lacquer, followed by carefully tapping the nut out sideways with an appropriately-sized metal punch? That's how I've always accomplished it on Fenders with great success but I've yet to tackle an LP. Beautiful work btw.

[@FreddysFrets]

I've had success with fender style nuts knocking them out sideways as well.....but not with Gibson type nuts.

[@Glen694u]

Great job Freddy. The proper way to do it ! This is Plankspanker (Glen) here wishing you a very Happy New Year. Have you got a cold mate? Lot of them about over this side of the pond !

[@FreddysFrets]

Happy New Year Glen! Yes I have a cold.

[@ssabp8313]

all I can say is this man has guts

[@greenharvestproductions6743]

I have a Les Paul tribute not will not want to do that to my Les Paul I thought about putting a steel nut actually made of brass but I don't want to go through all that and I've been doing Guitar World for a long time but I've never removed a nut from a Les Paul

[@ssabp8313]

@@Alongfortheride693 Well that's the thing I would only attempt tackling something like this would experience Everything else yeah I could do that because I'm pretty handy Everything else yeah I could do that because I'm pretty handy. Where I cringe is Where I cringe is basically I don't have the experience. This is why I've said before I ever get into the tasks of operating on any of my guitars I would spend a considerable amount of time with say fret boards from stew mac , glue unglue , grey regret. Pick up damaged guitars usually of course foreign made ones which would already be reasonable to start with but damage would make them even Far cheaper And work on them. I have a very well known luethy are in the township a few over from me and he actually has a school. And I've read his website and it runs on about going through this brand going to that brand different glues different this different that I thought about all the so ready. And it's not that it seems easy nothing is easy but once you start tackling it yet can be done. But I would never even with some pretty decent ability than I have I would never just jump into something like this and like you said common sense yeah I think I've got some common sense haha But even with that I would never just jump into something like this. Does too many considerations the lacquer like he mentioned here the nut is actually seated a little bit further back I mean get out you've got out like hes using an exact O knife . This obviously isn't in O pull out a chisel whack it in their pull it out And that's It. I wouldn't want to embarrass somebody I saw a video maybe a couple years ago and it was a guy had AA Les Paul that he loved very much but he wasn't so up to dealing with the Weight of the guitar any longer. I personally love the weight of a Les Paul I like heavy guitars But this guy who I believe actually plays out a lot and hes not a kid either what he decided to do was Weight relief his Les Paul. I said it years ago that there would probably come a time when Gibson would introduce A-line of Les pauls that our weight reliefed. To me this obviously means in some proportional way removing Mahogany MahoganyThat way the guitar has some sort of balance and I'm still a tone would person although yes in the end the pickups really do ultimately matter but I still liked own would and I still believe in it and I know what I hear But I'm sure disproportionately removing would from a Les Paul or any instrument is gonna affect the tone of the guitar because it's going to have some sort of impact on the way the vibrations resonate for out the wood of the body. Well this guy just decided it's my favorite guitar and the worst part about it is it's his favorite guitar and he loves it so much that he just went about hacking at it and chopped out a huge piece of it from the back. And he ended up going on KZbin and saying I made a mistake. I should never of ripton to him because I think the guy had more regrets than anything else But seriously my God to even undertake something like that to start with. But I could definitely see where the man was coming from its hes a Les Paul fanatic just way anybody could be a fanatic about any specific atar or anything and he jumped at the something headfirst the end really regretted it.

[@ssabp8313]

@@greenharvestproductions6743 Yeah I could definitely see where you're coming from I would not sit there and undertake that myself I would definitely give it over to somebody at knows what they're doing with a reputation.

[@ssabp8313]

@@greenharvestproductions6743 Right now aside from the to 1980s Les pauls which I have I've actually finally gotten into the at the epiphones Kicking myself for never buying Hondos years ago And some of the other former guitars like Burny and tokai. And I've since bought a Burny But I would never treat these guitars in such a way that I would operate on them other than playing with the electronics pickups Doing a fret job once I really know what I'm doing. Replacing machine heads and whatnot probably only if I could find the same ones that fit and their Grover's anyway so that's not a problem. But I thought about removing the night and putting something better and they're like a piece of bone or I don't know about brass or steel II would relieve hate the change the tone out with the of the gets more that much but then again if that's the sound that somebody wants are feels comfortable with then fine But I probably would take the chance on a piece of bone. . I know there's graphite another composite nuts that are out there but I would wanna play with them a little bit more to find out you know what's the proper tone out with the changes that are going to occur. I thought about getting a kit In finding a decently good one and using that as a platform to operate in fiddle around with. But even these foreign Les pauls I wouldn't even take the chance of operating around them as I actually do appreciate them. They're every bit of a guitar as the next guitar Is

[@ssabp8313]

@@greenharvestproductions6743 I've got one used Squire which actually needs a pick guard with pickups in it so it needs a loaded pick guard and everything else is there I bought that in a second hand shop somewhere it was just a lucky find Another Squire was bought from me as a present exuberant nice present and I'm not really a big Fender person And off the Internet I picked up a peavey body and neck bolt on again And really what it needs is it needs a bridge it needs pickups it needs the volume and tone pots NV neck needs up machine heads. So overall it's a project Guitar But yeah it says it's APV and that's what stamped on it I'm in a may well be made in the same factory son or related factories who knows I'm in I have tried looking up certain serial numbers on this P they and I couldn't find anything because the serial number is not even there it's just been squashed out But like with the Squire I already know where that was made but I wouldn't even I wouldn't even take the chance of operating on it just because I bought it for practically nothing had bought it for $35 Sitting in a kind of like basically a second hand shop that was mainly selling things to a lot of AA lot of immigrants in the area dishes furniture this that the other I just so happen to be it was sitting there. And it went from I think it was originally $75 that it went the 65 hours and I saw it sitting there sitting there sitting there and I finally approached the owner who weighed had come to get to know over the short period of time that he was there and I told them look as no one's going to buy distinct I says I'll give you $35 for it . Am I felt a little mild Lee crummy about it but I saw how the price kept dropping and I said look it's $65 it's still a by but you know if hes the type of person that's just not going to sit there and take it for himself or maybe give it the some of his relatives or a friend as a gift and hes just concerned about the money I for good luck I'll give you $35 forward and that's it and I got it. But I wouldn't even operate on something like this . When I really decide to me be undertake getting into doing things on guitars like I said on this can go to stew Mac and pick up AA kit somewhere and I'll work on that.

[@kyleboggs1966]

Was willing to try this, being that I'm on quarantine and all, then you pulled out a vice clamp, hacksaw, and hammers! NOPE.. looks like the LP is staying how it is until this whole thing is over.

[@tacoconch7678]

Is one of your slots low? You can use the super glue and baking soda trick to fill it and refile the slot. Super glue and some sanded bone nut dust would probably be even better.

[@adrianpineda3346]

What type of x-acto knife do I use

[@blooeagle5118]

Great video, showed me exactly how to do it! However, I am not confident with a hacksaw, so this job will be done by a pro in my local shop lol

[@samohtdivad]

they put alot of glue in that one..goiod video to teach these young guys..happy new year.

[@CesarAllGuitar]

Good video. Subbed. Would this method work with the Corian Epoxy - ed Nuts? Thanks!

[@michaelevans512]

Is it normal to have lacquer cracks around where the nut seats. My used Les Paul traditional has perfect lacquer cracks exactly like the ones where you scored the finish around where the nut seats. Is this normal? Please help I am a little nervous, I can send really good photos if that would help if you have an email.

[@FreddysFrets]

It's not unusual. It's just a sign that the guitar has been through cycles of too dry humidity.

[@michaelevans512]

@@FreddysFrets Thanks for the info. It came from Chicago Musical Exchange. It is pretty cold and dry up there I think

[@Aztec556]

'I'm just taking a hacksaw...' Yep, sounds about right!

[@Lickmaker]

The proof is in the pudding my friend!

[@leehunter1246]

Holy crap I'm glad I watched this video. I had no idea the nut had laquer on it like that. Probably saved $150 repair. Now I have to really think about doing this myself. Fucking Gibson has to make a simple repair a major freakin ordeal

[@headknocker8999]

Another great video Freddy.. Gary/Hk

[@paulproductions9213]

I don't see the need of replacing the corian nut on my Gibson Studio 2012, am happy with it, but if someone would like to your method is best, I just saw a video of a guy that file and micro chiselled the nut to remove it, he probably spend (or waste) 10 hours on it, lol, corian is supposed to last and withstand stress with out braking, is a expensive and dense tough material.

[@nicolasrivera5310]

Great, thanks Freddy, happy new year!!!

[@patriciaydiegoormaza-marti2446]

After watching this video, the first challenge that I find is to get the most proper tool to hold the neck still and steady... And at the same time, a tool that allows you to work in a comfortable way, making easy to cut the nut without touching the wood... The second challenge, to find a sharp enough saw that cuts the nut like butter if it is possible... Maybe tracing a guide line along the nut, with the scalpel, before proceeding to cut with the saw could be a solution, so it might be more difficult a fatal move that makes the saw cut in the wrong direction... But how do you know you must stop cutting before you damage the wood... That is not easy at all... I don't know...

[@brianhidalgo4315]

beautiful work. very professional

[@grandnaguszek7417]

This worked like a charm, thanks man!

[@BladeDoomer86]

My eyes bled when he started cutting into the paint lol i know i know, its just the nut but ouch 😝

[@ricksmith7370]

That was scary as hell. Hope I never have to change mine.

[@FreddysFrets]

haha...I guess it's like watching a surgeon cut somebody open. I do this kind of thing with controlled hands but complete ease of mind....Iv'e seen and know the pitfalls.

[@leftymadrid]

Beautiful work my friend!!!!

[@andrewmcfadden8760]

How to remove a les paul nut,,,,,,,,,,,give him a stratocaster......nice vid.

[@BigEdWo]

yes, happy new year.

[@timrussell1559]

Mine easily pulled right out with just my fingers. The guitar must have been built on a monday!

[@MissionMetamorphosis]

I need this guy in my town 😂

[@ciri151]

Why would Gibson do this?

[@FreddysFrets]

Good question. My theory is that because it's cheaper (time and labor) than fitting a nut after the guitar is painted. They way they do it they glue the nut in, then when sanding the neck the sides of the nut get sanded too, resulting in a seamless transition between neck and nut.....very difficult or next to impossible to achieve that effect trying to fit a nut after the paint.

[@Alex19II]

It’s easier to buy a new guitar, Prs for instance. Cause new nut and place around it will look like sht.

[@pedromusic4209]

He's nuts, using a hack saw?... Unnecessary. Just give it a tap tap tap

[@JENDALL714]

I got lucky, I didn't even have to score mine with a knife. I used the end of a paint stir stick and just tapped against the nut one time and it came right off. Someone's inefficient worth ethic at the factory was my gain!

[@frank1672]

No idea

[@marccarter1350]

Not a chance i am doing this on my Gibson 335!

[@FreddysFrets]

Right. It might not be a good idea to try if you're not skilled and steady with this kind of work.

[@sheremadness]

Thank you for this! 👍

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you Sir

[@Arcturian1111]

Great Job, I subbed you plz do same. I have a weird Sitar sound in the Nut on my Wolf W400 on the B string, only when played open ... I have 2 extra original nuts that I ordered separately from AIO wolf for this guitar. However Before I change the nut, I'm going to try other means, as this seams very tedious. Perhaps ground up nut powder with the crazy glue trick on the slot of the B string, or I'll try filing the nut slot angled towards the headstock.

[@MobileDecay]

I did this before looking at this and knocked it out. Oops. Good thing nothing bad happened. Lol.

[@t3hgir]

I almost did something very stupid to my Epiphone. Thanks.

[@ssabp8313]

I hate to really say this as someone that loves and adores Les Paul's but they're just there they just have so many ins and outs Gibson has been lacking refinement for so many years you say to yourself how could you play Kiss souls or Led Zeppelin or a lot of songs on any of the guitar but a Les Paul it's for that matter that would hold for an SG also hot how do you play AC DC songs and anything else than an sg ? it's a bit mental really when you think about it but it's just symbolism also. I'll probably always stick with Les Paul's even though I have other makes but the Les Paul is still the Les Paul but in all honesty there should have been a hostile takeover many years ago there's should have been a hostile takeover many years ago and the people in upper management should have just been thrown the f*** out on their asses their research Department everything they should have just been tossed right out. Gibson was maybe run by some good people in the past like Ted McCarty Bill Lawrence he made his mistakes but he probably wasn't a bad guy after all of me he made advancements but don't Lawrence on particularly the guys after Bill Lawrence were a bunch of bums. if it wasn't for Ted McCarty not sure if he was in on the SG he may have been there for the Explorer and the SG not sure if that was Lawrence but overall this company has just sat on its ass for way too long and they pretty much still are even though they're picking themselves up after the bankruptcy but to leave the Les Paul with this nut issue for so many years and let s*** Fester they've only just begun in the past couple of years or whatever with the r60 neck the thinner tapered 1960s neck neck but they still have a b******* issue with the nut it's bad enough that the headstock has its issues and the string angle but getting a new not or going through the b******* of constantly lubricating it which is ridiculous these assholes let this go on for years upon years upon years upon years upon years and it's not that simple to just sit there and retool but I don't know enough about Woodworking and guitar making to really make that comment but it's some point like any other business if you've got to change something because there's a mistake or something is better you've got to do it but these fucknuts sat around sat on the Gibson name endorsements non endorsements and they just let s*** run on. the management team of Gibson for the past 30 years and probably more they should be spit on for allowing a great name like this to be thrown underneath the bus

[@greenharvestproductions6743]

I agree with you 100% these assholes have been sitting on their ass for the last couple years doing Jack's schitt to put it nicely I have a Les Paul SG and a Les Paul tribute seems like like you said if it's slaking down down on the job last year I purchase a Les Paul tribute great guitar but even for the money I pay for it and had its little things are not done properly anytime I buy an instrument I check it out really carefully I haven't to order from Sweetwater I just noticed in the last couple years Gibson Les Paul guitars I'm not being made with the better quality even on the expensive ones

[@johngonzales3697]

A hacksaw? Uh, no.

[@Lickmaker]

Oh yes! proof is in the pudding :)

[@headknocker8999]

I note the lack of nibs which means a refret = You've been there before.. Also use very little glue, I use a couple micro drops of titebond, Not CA.. ROCK ON Freddy, Miss your posts at the MyLesPaulForum, i've been banned.. Fuck Paruwi HARD

[@alistairhosie652]

wow a living ad if ever for stewmac see if you can tell how many times he mentions stewmac hardly suttle. Alistair

[@FreddysFrets]

Haha....I guess it sounds like that. But it's honest. I did buy a lot of tools from Stew-mac. Only because when I started there really weren't many other places you could get this stuff.

[@jasonforster9445]

"a fat 32nth"

[@todddennehy804]

What a hack!