Guitar Setup 3 Checking The Nut

How to check your guitar nut.

[@scottmckinstry1698]

Trusty automotive measuring tool. Its called a feeler gauge. Just so you know for future reference.

[@johanjerkhag6654]

I file down to the level, just before fretbuzzing, when you hit open string. Then you get a very easy-to-play guitar. My experience after 40 years of playing mainly strats.

[@StewartBrand85]

The reason to fret the string after the second fret is because the string height when unfretted - as measured in this video - will be dependent on the height at the bridge/saddle where as if you fret after the second fret then the measurement is purely the difference in height between the nut and the frets which is what you ideally want to be setting the nut action according to

[@kcochr01]

I was thinking the same. And if your going for 0.020 on the low E shouldn't you be at 0.015 at the high E?

[@keithcarpentersr.4353]

Stewart Brand I agree. Any idea what the measurement is?

[@jimmygreen50]

So i just filed my nut slots for the first time on my SG and used the 3rd fret method no feeler guages and tapped the string while pressing the 3rd fret and have a slight gap...possibly about half the diameter of the strings....it worked perfectly. I can never get an accurate measuremnet with feeler guages unless you have perfect eyesight. After which all strings follow the fret board radius perfectly. I have watched a ton of videos and this looks to be the prefered method. No buzz and plays nice. I will be doing my other 2 guitars soon with the same method. Cheers

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

You forgot to tell me how wrong I am about how to check the height! Yes, I would cut a nut doing the same way you have. I am just following the book on how to do setups. Most people like to complain about that. But that's the net right. My eyesight at 62 is starting at weird. I can only see close now when I remove my glasses, WTF? LOL! All we need is to hear the tiny tap sound and it's good. Thanks for commenting!

[@jimmygreen50]

Hello Sir....my bad...I do appreciate you and anyone who takes the time to make a video for others. Your video is likely how it should be done. I was more saying that trying to see if a feeler gauge is touching the G, B or E string or any string for that matter is nearly impossible, accurately. But hey if you can get an accurate reading from any string then all power to you. I found that the tap method to be superior in achieving a perfect cut. Listening for a ping sound and your there. I'm 52 and new to guitar building so I'm learning lots from everyone including you. Cheers

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

All I want to do is help from all my past experience. The tap method is the way to go. If you can get the nut right it makes all the difference in playability, My Strat has a nut I cut and plays incredibly low. I thank you for your comments. I hope you continue your building journey. God bless!

[@tfejulienewmar]

lol mine is .005 on both sides

[@clivelombari4785]

strange i set my gap much lower just before each string buzzes and they were all different.Try it on a cheap plastic nut.Then set the bone one just above that?

[@jameshenz1780]

Ty for sharing. .020 on all strings? Perhaps the low E. You can still graduate the distance lower to high E and still keep radius.

[@el34glo59]

Exactly. 20 would be for low E for me. High e 20 is too high

[@Daveygogo1]

why do other guitar luthier's say: E & A = 020 or 0.50mm D & G = 018 or 0.45mm B & e = 016 or 0.40mm Your using one measurement for all 6 string???

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

Why have strings at different heights? That would make playing feel very uneven. String should follow the fretboard radius. I was following a setup booklet that comes with the tools. I also have several books and I’ve never seen a luthier telling me to set my strings like you describe.

[@Daveygogo1]

@@TheGospelGuitarist Gibson factory setting are E - D = 030 / D - G = 022 / B - e = 015 The strings on my guitar at the 12th fret are 1.50mm Bottom E / 1.25 mm top E

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

Hmm Interesting. Action is usually set differently but at the 1st fret string height is referring to how the nut is cut. It reveals errors in how it was cut. This is insuring there is proper clearance at the 1st fret with no buzzing. If there is buzzing on 1 or more strings you have a miss cut nut. Not sure what the "settings" are referring to as you don't set a nut, usually, you cut it. My Gibson LP High Performance has an adjustable nut for player preference on 1st fret clearance of the strings but only uses 2 screws, one for 1-3 and the other on the 4-6. But no factory setting is mentioned. Not, saying your wrong, I just never seen these settings. Do you have a reference page to link to? I'd like to read it.

[@Daveygogo1]

@@TheGospelGuitarist Here's an example in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6WWm6hpiJqFgdE

[@el34glo59]

Those measurements are right. I honestly would go as low as 14-15 on b and e

[@FriendM2010]

Should you have been holding down string at 3rd fret when checking for .020 thousands clearance at first fret?

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

yes

[@mrofnocnon]

Yes but not shown on the video very well and is confusing

[@xWuWuWaWu]

Definently no. If you can get a .020 shim under it while fretting the 3rd fret you might as well just sand the bottom of the entire nut

[@kingdom777866]

I don't use measuring tools, to adjust the nut, I press down on the string at third fret, and look at the gap between the string & first fret, if the gap is to big I file the nut slot to lower the string just enough to push a piece of paper in the gap, then I have it just right !!

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

Yeah me too. I dont always dig out the ruler. As long as i can see a tiny gap im usually good.

[@kingdom777866]

Yeah, who can see those tiny 64th markings behind a string anyway ? i cant ?

[@kingdom777866]

Actually i have to do a nut slot adjustment on a epiphone casino, pressing strings on the first fret is pulling them way to sharp !

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

Yeah that shouldn't happen.

[@UGotMalk]

my guitar that im fixing of my dad who died holding it made by a friend of his that played in his band. all parts are from a 1965 TEISCO 4 pickup electric guitar. I cant find a nut for it..i bought wrong kind but made it work..i think strings are still too low. I bought a blank to make one..i don't know how to do that..any advice? I made videos showing his guitar on my channel

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

Take measurements of the height, width, and thickness of the existing nut if you still have it. Check out Tusq nuts online for a replacement. You can also email them for help in finding a product in their lineup to work for you.

[@UGotMalk]

it fell out years ago..i don't have any idea what size it was. I was hoping when I bought that one..it was for all electric guitars..but it wasn't..its long enough..but wasn't tall enough..i did buy a blank..ok i'll do that and thank you..did you check out my video on it? its the one next to the last one..and thank you

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

UGotMalk Yeah, I left a comment.

[@UGotMalk]

I left a comment to your comment..lol and thank you..it really means a lot to me

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

UGotMalk No comment is showing on your video comments.

[@UGotMalk]

this applies to electric too right?

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

All guitars.

[@UGotMalk]

ok great thank you

[@braydenwilliamsonmusic]

Just came for the user name "gospel guitarist" This is great! Jesus is great! God bless

[@MrPiper321]

I dron't dink!

[@southofmotown]

Smart man

[@el34glo59]

I'm gonna disagree with under 20 being too low. Especially for the treble strings. Honestly measuring yhe the action imo isn't even the best way. The tap test is the best. Hold down the string between the 2 and 3rd fret and tap tje strings. Should be basically no gap that you can see. Should only hear a ping sound. Shouldn't see thw string move much either. Should almost be sitting on the first fret. If I was basing it off action, I'd go .020 at the highest for the low E. Treble, high e .014-015

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

I didn’t write the book. All guitars need setup for the player and style, strong gauges etc. These videos as I state in the video are following a booklet with are only suggested starting points.

[@robertclymer6948]

I was always told, if someone wants to file the nut or saddle grooves, RUN.

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

Only if the person has no idea or even a slight idea of what they are doing. lol It's touchy work.