Installing a TUSQ Nut On My Cheap Mandolin

/ hometracks :: The nut on my inexpensive mandolin cracked. Rather that throw the instrument away I decided to replace the nut myself. I'm not a professional luthier and I had to correct a few mistakes along the way but the end result was a playable instrument. WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS ON AN EXPENSIVE MANDOLIN UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!
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[@cernowaingreenman]

This helped me out alot, thanks. I was gifted an old inexpensive Rogue like yours. While putting on new strings the nut broke in the middle in two and flew through the room. It was a clean break, so I superglued it together but wasn't sure about how to put in back on until I watched your video. I didn't know if the top of the nut which curves down on the top end faced back or forwards. By looking at your video I figured it out. Thanks again.

[@marklozano8388]

Would you really throw a mandolin away because of a broken nut?

[@thelivefiddler4106]

You can also build up the nut with a 3x5 card piece. it's not a perfect fix, but for an inexpensive instrument, it helps with the height lack. Good video though!

[@craigjacob3704]

I have to do the same thing to a mid grade banjo I have. I would take mine to a luthier but there isn't a luthier near me so I'm going to have to make my own but from graphite and get rid of the ABS nut that came with the banjo.

[@sharkitty]

I have an Epiphone Mando... Should I just wait and get a pro to replace the nut? I thought about ordering the piece and replacing it myself, but I did pay some good coin for this instrument, so not sure if I should risk it

[@eixr]

Set the old nut on some sandpaper and sand until there is some plastic dust. Mix the plastic dust with super glue to fill voids under and around the nut. This dust/glue combo can also fill nut slots that are too deep. Just fill and recut the depth using a nut saw.

[@guymandude999]

+eixr epoxy is better.

[@rodrich1644]

Appears the E string is awfully close to the edge. No?

[@HomeTracks]

yeah a bit

[@alecjahn]

I just did this exact same repair with the same Tusq part (probably same). The string spacing is too wide... This mandolin seems to need a 1 1/16" long nut and the shortest Tusq part is more like 1 1/8" (as with every other brand I see). I'm going to have to go with a bone blank and make a custom one, I think. I ended up with your problem (high string missing the fret) on both sides when I centered the Tusq nut perfectly. I can't seem to find a 1 1/16" nut anywhere. Allegedly they exist.

[@fiddlesticksbessette398]

Cut 2 Small Nut's in Half.Glue Together,and now U Have A Wider One.Use super Glue to glue On Neck,After Cutting Nut To fit In Grove On Neck.and Also Use Super Glue to Glue 2 Nut's Together.Making sure End String's Are Over Fret's.Dont Cut Grove's in nut until You Put String's On and All String's go Over Fret's,And then cut Groove's,and Tighten String's.You Can Also cut New Grove's in Bridge to Bring String's Closer together..Luther,DJB,Good Luck;

[@mannatuu]

''throw it away '' ???? !!

[@HomeTracks]

oh well

[@musicaman68]

What if the nut is below 2ml? What do you recommend to elevate it to 3ml?

[@guymandude999]

+musicaman68 You can mix up a slurry of epoxy and bone dust, build up the bottom of the scarified nut, then shape it once it's dried.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

You can use tin foil Yes ' Tee Eye In foil Tin foil' cut a small strip and put it under the nut. 1/2/3 layers ever how many' to get the height you need.

[@mikelheron20]

Are you sponsored by Krazy glue by any chance? I don't know why you would want to glue in the nut. I've owned several mandolins over the years - not one of them had a glued in nut.

[@thedanester4101]

How did you put the nut in then-?

[@thechillhacker]

Not bad overall, but a couple suggestions, if I may, both mainly about the same thing: krazy glue Mainly, dont use it. For either use. For setting the nut, it can damage the neck and cause difficulties next time you need to remove it. A couple drops of good wood glue is much better. For building up the base for the nut to sit in, if you really must do this, which i doubt as your original nut was likely high to begin with, as most are from factory, use rosewood shims. The cyano will not transmit sound properly and you will lose all advantages of that wonderful tusq material :) Also, tusq is self-lubricating. You shouldnt need any graphite with it Enjoy!

[@cernowaingreenman]

What glue do you recommend if not the krazy? And why not?

[@thechillhacker]

Couple tiny drops of wood glue. Because CA glue will be a nightmare if/when that nut needs to come out, and will likely remove wood with it. I like Titebond II.

[@thechillhacker]

Elmers would also work

[@cernowaingreenman]

Thanks

[@sesa1076]

Would that make you a Nutcracker?

[@HomeTracks]

lol.. good one

[@mickmartin7009]

the nut is NOT supposed to be glued.....

[@CarolinaGrass64]

Yes it is.

[@popoaggie]

After all the trouble, why didn't you go with a bone nut? Still better then any thing man made. I've never seen a high end custom builder use Tusq nuts.

[@HomeTracks]

+popoaggie its not a fanastic intrument and I wanted to try out the Tusq nut.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

Why not put bone on it? Why replace it with cheap tusq? Good bone still cost less then the piece of shit nut you put on it. That new nut isn't tusk. It is plastic did you see the 2 hole in the bottom of it? Dude you paid 13 dollars for a plastic nut. Crazy glue, have fun it needs replaced again. Next time use wood glue, Elmer's. It won't tune right. Why did you edit out the strings off the side of the neck. From your nut slots being to wide. Did the e string hurt when it snapped and hit you in the eye and face. ? A hint for you. That is a mandolin. Stop playing it like a guitar.

[@flyingdutchman6984]

Many Tusq nuts have holes on the bottom. Tusq nuts are however plastic, hard plastic, but still plastic. I personally would never put them on any of my guitars. Your right Elmer's glue would have been a better choice. I use a drop of fish glue, but it may be difficult for some people to find.