How To Make A Guitar Nut From A Blank With Hand Tools.

I'm back working on my project Stratocaster. I decided to replace the nut because I wanted a wider string spacing. I used a Maton acoustic guitar bridge saddle blank. These are glass filled nylon and have an amazing ringing tone. I polished the new part with wet and dry sandpaper and cutting compound, then glued it in place with a few drops of super glue. I find the wider spacing much more comfortable to play, and muting the treble D string in DADGAD is also easier now that string is closer to the edge of the fretboard. The black polished plastic also looks great because it matches the black pickguard, pickup covers, and pot knobs.

[@jeffrussell8696]

Looks great man ... Nice job !

[@RobMods]

Thanks Jeff.

[@SelfPropelledDestiny]

Are those the red, yellow, blue $15 nut files I have seen on Amazon? If not, how much were your nut slot files?

[@sebastianbisurgi9970]

You are my hero.

[@RobMods]

Ha ha. Cheers.

[@rexertek]

Nice work!

[@RobMods]

Thanks mate!

[@diegovalenzuela2679]

Hey, what sandpaper grid are you using? What is the name of the tools you are using to remove the top material?

[@ronwhitfield8872]

Nice job. But do you know how much a set of nut slot files are? It’s far cheaper to get a luthier to make a nut

[@MalcolmTuckerDirectorofCommuni]

Depends how particular you are in your setup. It’s better long term to learn how to make and maintain these things if you’re after particular slot heights with certain gauges. Everyone’s methods are different and nothing is standardised in this industry. You’re on your own if you’re particular because even if your tolerances are specific, the way you measure them will vary too. Can’t expect someone else to measure and set these things exactly the way you would and god help you if you’re caught with an issue with no one around to take it to

[@nicksalvatore5717]

That plastic is known as Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) and is known for its characteristic metallic sound when clanged.