Luthier's Tips & Tricks #3 - Proper nut slotting height

I created this video with the KZbin Video Editor ( / editor )

[@boblester738]

Every workshop guitar repair/tinkerer owes you a debt of gratitude. One of the peskiest guitar problems solved simply and easily. Brilliant. Thanks!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

You make it look easy while other videos make it look pretty complicated. I'm going to try it and cross my fingers that I don't ruin a perfectly good bone nut. I bought a handmade neck that has a bone nut installed but rough cut and unslotted. Thanks for posting this. It's real helpful.

[@NateBreidenbaugh-gg7fs]

I've been doing this guitar repair stuff for a while now, and nut slotting has always flummoxed me. This is not just a brilliant solution, but even better, an elegant solution to this problem. Just did the best slotting job I've ever done following this procedure. I can't thank you enough for sharing this information! -Nate

[@loscrimefighter1899]

I lost track of how many videos I've watched on nut slotting, and all the devices, kits, specialty tools etc. THIS 5 minute video was easily the best Ive seen, and got me back on track with my builds. Establishing a line on the nut at fret height - what a "duh" moment-genius! A million thanks Ken!

[@agateenchantmentrockwizard5969]

Genius tip! The cool thing about this method is that it also shows the radius of each individual guitar. Thank you 😊

[@jacobthomas9364]

It worked for me. I finished fixing my guitar with that just one word of knowledge that you said in the beginning, as a consequence. That where I was it was giving me sharp notes,.. and I left my guitar for few days.. Now I played after a long time. Thanks Sir. I cut and made it from a wooden block. Because readymade didn't work. So I made one. Thanks for the video. You saved my guitar. !!! 🎸

[@jacobthomas9364]

Now I know why my guitar tune was suddenly changed when I placed a new nut.. wow thanks for those words of wisdom 👏👏 where you said in the begnning " so it will not sound sharp." Thank you!

[@deancarrier123]

Solid down to earth.. .. the relationship between the height of the bottom of the string slot to the plane of the fret field is something I have always seen in my head, but I do not think I have ever been able to get someone to understand when I explained it. Yes, a lot of people would tell me understood, but I always felt they would tell me they understood because they didn't want to look stupid. .. The way you explained it and visually backed it up is.... well, perfect... I will use your video the next time I try to explain this. It's true that simple is the best. Just the needed info and nothing more. well done

[@danmooney6015]

Very educational!! Great video!!I’ve learned something new after playing guitar for 57 years.

[@clv603]

Your line could be a tiny bit more precise at 1:55 if you draw the line without rotating the pencil. You want to keep the pencil parallel to how the strings would lay to get the most accurate line of fret radius. It may not matter much I know since you'll be likely making iterative adjustments, but I'm compelled by OCD exactness lol

[@BoudreauGuitars]

clvinning , you are correct, I did rush it a little

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Hot damn, that is one slick little trick with sanding the carpenter's pencil. I was already stoked by your method of setting the bridge in your last video. This just keeps getting better.

[@Nazzz65]

Excellent vid! Thank you! Great tip. I'm a novice so I'm gonna use this method on some beginner-type guitars that have needed new string nuts for a long time.

[@bentackett6299]

I'm a carpenter and use those pencils everyday. I think I can spare one for this! Brilliant and simple, thanks! BTW, I just realized my '64 SG junior has a cracked original nylon nut so I ordered a new blank. I already have the files and now with this trick, the confidence!! 😎

[@k9er233]

Mr. Boudreau - great video, so simple but so effective and useful. Thank You!

[@PlanetRockJesus]

As soon as he talked about the guitar "not going sharp when you play the first couple frets" I knew I'd found the right video. I have a Jay Turser that's just cool, sounds great, but the nut is high, but it goes sharp playing near the nut. I've adjusted the bridge correctly, but that nut is a problem! I hope I can fix it.

[@MrPhilerD]

Did you fix it???

[@sisco0304]

The slot where my nut god is crooked need to retake it off and clean it

[@UndeadBoogie]

Krikeys! This is the video I've been looking for. Gone through a bunch of nuts while trying to learn. This seems simple enough. Thanks!

[@bimmarvinlim3804]

Simple, direct, concise explanation thumbs up here.

[@thrumbolax2851]

Simple and yet brilliant, why didn't I think of that? Thank you very much!!!

[@ricktindall1968]

Your a very smart man. Thanks for the knowledge. I intend to use it!

[@clarkscott8532]

Actual useful knowledge gained. If only all guitar repair videos were so. Thanks. My first couple of frets are sharp on an Epiphone lp standard. Everything else is perfect and upgraded. Just need some nut files now. And maybe an extra bone nut in case I screw it up at first.

[@cliffordlewis5682]

Thanks for that advice,great little tip.I will be using it.cheers

[@elmolewis9123]

I was about to start doing mine but thought I would watch a couple more videos. Great tip! Thanks

[@BoudreauGuitars]

anyone home my pleasure! Happy to help,

[@sjb1957]

I like the concept of making the nut slots align with the fret heights. Most guitars seem to arrive with the nut slots way too high, causing poor intonation.

[@tokk3n-hj4xg]

It looks they filed the slot too much on my B and High E there is fret buzz on the first 3 frets. all the other strings are good.

[@marciaewell2661]

Brilliant, sweet and simple!

[@thomaslau9631]

This line is actually the fret height. The best way to determine nut height is with the strings on (known gauge) and slightly tuned to pitch. Look at the string relief momentarily in real time while cutting the slot.

[@leoneddy1492]

Thanks for that great trick with the pencil straight to the information and demo I was looking for .

[@Terry3Gs]

Actually just found this video & its helped me out alot Ken !! Thank you again bud !! Hope your well !! :)

[@StylesBitchley]

Finally someone with a clear and easy answer! I don’t know why it was so hard to find this video. Should be a top hit. Thank you.

[@gravl1]

That pencil trick is awesome! Thank you!

[@ericctheartofnoise8613]

Great tips Ken.

[@yrulooknatme]

I think if you make the pencil correctly , draw the line correctly, file just to the line carefully . It will work like a charm. someone mentioned placing a piece of paper on the frets when you make the line. That couldn't hurt, might give you a buffer zone.

[@bengarciamusic4life]

Great idea with the pencil. I came up with an possible alternative: Take a pencil and rub the graphite onto the edge of a business card. Then use that card to mark the nut. Wala. ...well I let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the tips!

[@Motifwriter]

Was trying to figure it out myself also... no belt sander here. Thankyou

[@jm7859]

Holy smokes. Thanks for the tip. Don't have sander.

[@fedexnman]

Or credit card

[@thievesoftime]

Brilliant! Just the advice😀 I was looking for

[@marvinstorm9153]

Brilliantly simple. Thanks.

[@BrandonDalyMusic]

this was awesome. Very helpful!

[@jeffreystone4892]

WOW!! absolutely next level thinking

[@Nazzz65]

Good tip! Thank you!

[@thetakenking7061]

Building my first guitar. Excellent idea with the pencil. I’m going to do that. I got the neck flat. Frets flat and crowned. This is my neck step.

[@fatherfuhrer7163]

Wow, that's brilliant!

[@harrypalmer3481]

Great tip, thank you!

[@lewistaylor1965]

Great tip...thanks for sharing this...

[@marvinfrock3597]

Great tip! Thank you very much! Would this work the same for a bass guitar? Or, an acoustic guitar, with heavier strings?

[@465marko]

That DID help me out. Thanks dude.

[@BillyBobDingo1971]

Awesome videos. You should have way more likes and no thumbs down.

[@johnboyle7552]

Brilliantly simple your a gentleman

[@guitarplayer7400]

Nice idea, thanks!

[@chriswalton3383]

We used to use a metal ruler as a height guide when cutting nut slots when I was a guitar tech for Cole Clark guitars. That's how they did it.

[@keithclark486]

I was a guitar tech for buck ownes 'roy Clark ' merle haggard ' don rich' buddy Elmo's and a few other of those cats back years ago ' it used a butter knife with the handle cut off ' gave me the right slot height. I'm curious ' I'm gonna have to check out that Cole Clark fellow ' I know we have some distant cousins I've never met and never heard Roy mention his name before. Cole Clark I will see if he's on my phone.

[@kerryewen3624]

Excellent tip

[@seanmcaleavy2369]

You bet that helped! I was just about to start filing my nut and I caught your video just in time. Thank you for the info, much appreciated!

[@BoudreauGuitars]

happy to help!

[@DANDALLAROCHA]

Very helpful , thanks !

[@flukyreview9128]

Very clever. Thank you 👍👍👍👍

[@Sixxiron]

Cool idea/tip!

[@erichuff6945]

What a great Idea.

[@stevieburrows3953]

you are a star thank you this is tomorrows job

[@congamike1]

Thanks! I needed that

[@jim9637]

This is a great idea. However, when marking the line, the pencil should be slid across the frets, remaining parallel with the neck. Pivoting the pencil won't give you the exact top of the frets.

[@MrSomchiman]

Good tip. Thanks.

[@johnmcchavs]

I knew the trick, and that's a really good one. I personally use the IKEA pencils... free, and easy to sand dow (yeah, you could argue that it's a bit short to sat on many frets at a time, it only sits on 2... I may change my habits).

[@johnpick8336]

Great Tip

[@74dartman13]

Thanks for the tip!

[@larsplovmann4280]

Great tip .. but what kind of glue is using to instal the nut ?

[@jeffsond]

Thx for the video. I’m new at this so here’s the newbie question. The nut I have is slanted on top with the slots cut for the strings. Which way should the slant face? Should the slope be going up from the neck or.. should I say should the higher part of the slant face the neck or head. Hope I’m making sense

[@DosrinMosin]

Very use full thanks for sharing sir.

[@timopeedu6077]

Genius! Thanks!

[@robertwatkins8220]

Thanks for your time and effort on this video. I have a Reville Tele style guitar with rosewood fretboard. I really love this guitar and prefer to play it instead of my MIM Strat. I decided to install a Graph Tech XL nut. It was a little wide so I sanded then fit and sanded, etc. During this the rosewood forward broke out in several small pieces and cannot be glued back to repair. I sanded it down even with the original slot and it doesn't look bad. Even though glued in place the nut will not sit properly. I then decided to install a Mighty Mite roller nut but I need 3/16" more space which means I would have to take some rosewood out toward the 1st fret. I will not do that for fear of ruining my guitar. Now I don't know what to do? Do you have any suggestions? I do have pictures but don't know how to load them here.

[@BoudreauGuitars]

Robert Watkins friend me on Facebook, we’ll talk

[@FF-so3su]

Brilliant thanks 😊👍

[@suyykee4408]

Thank you for this! Definitely going to fix my guitar soon

[@thefreese1]

Tite bond original is a good luthier glue.. with the nut do t overdo it because it can make a mess and because you may need to remove it, replace it, or do a repair that requires removing the nut ... so a real light dab is good. A d you can literally pop it out easily... most nuts are set in a pocket between the fretboard and the headstock face plate... When gluing it keep a warm damp rag or some q-tips handy to wipe the excess off. Titebond is water soluble..

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

Good info and I Thank You! Peace! DaveyJO in Pa.

[@aldonapolitano5979]

BRILLIANT!

[@guitarado]

ok and on my acoustic maton, the height at 12.fret is 1,6 and 1,2 mm and I can hear buzzing on the B string at first 3 frets once its hit harder... what to do ? shim the nut or polish the frets ?

[@41663]

I wish I would have seen this 5 nuts ago. Ive screwed up so many of em. Thanks maybe Ill get it right next time

[@jimsreynolds]

Thanks, really nice method. Now I just need to work out what to use for a Black Tusq XL Nut :-/

[@paullamebrt7692]

Good Video Bud!

[@arieassa2186]

Wow. Brilliant 🙏🙏🎶

[@paulneeds]

What an absolutely excellent tip! What about bass nuts? Those strings tend to vibrate a bit wider..?

[@stoutlager6325]

Clearance between string and first fret is similar on bass. About 20-22 thou.

[@alanhacko1935]

Thank you!!!

[@geemac7267]

I've seen your builds on MLP forum. They're nice!

[@BoudreauGuitars]

Gee Mac72 thanks, brother !

[@rockman49er]

I bought a axemasters brass nut for my bc rich kkv and it's to tall the slots and length are good I'm just sanding the bottom flat side down till I get the height that I want I'm hoping I'm doing it right 😮😮

[@imodium438]

I didn't have a nut file so I dug out a couple of holes with a scissor... had to saw with the sharp end but I might've gone too far or maybe my neck is bowed because the action is kind of high. It always was, ever since I got it from the shops. Not sure how to do a proper set up & I'm too embarrassed to have a luthier inspect my guitar. :(

[@baumfr]

Brilliant! Is it safe to assume that you reset the neck relief to zero, perfectly straight neck, before you did the marking? Or is that unnecessary?

[@clemmcguinness1087]

very canny idea. thank you

[@ARayMaddy]

thats SLICK...nice!

[@jimcastillo8950]

Hello, should you check to see if your neck is straight? that there is no neck relief before you mark the nut? Or it really does not matter.......thanks

[@beworship6168]

quick question, the profile of the slot, would you say that its square? all 90*s or would there be a slight taper? I haven't been able to find that out yet. Thanks

[@scottnorman408]

#BeWorship... The fret slot should follow the angle towards the tuning peg for respective string and match the angle of the peg head.

[@richardlove4287]

Subd, thanks mate...good vid.

[@elessin7]

You're a genius. Also, do you ever use the graphite from those pencils to 'lube' the nut grooves?? I've seen some guys use it and I was wondering if it works??

[@roughcutguitars]

Been a month, but just in case: yes, it works fine. Save your money on any 'snake oils' you might see :-) BTW, Graphtech/TUSQ nuts are self-lubricating by nature - no need for nuthin'.

[@JFA1331]

Question. You mentioned slotting at a backwards angle. 1) Does this mean going back towards the headstock? 2) Since the slot will be at an angle, which side of the nut should have the string at that marked line: towards the neck or towards the headstock? Or is it the center? Thanks

[@BoudreauGuitars]

James Bradner file the slots at the same angle as the headstock

[@onpsxmember]

The string should rest on the point at the edge facing the fretboard. It shouldn't touch the nut anywhere else. That is why you file the fall-off towards the tuners.

[@hi_is_this_clorox_bleach]

This made changing the nut seem like a feasable thing for a newbie to do.

[@Nazzz65]

Likewise.

[@sisco0304]

I need to clean my slot where it go’s because I just put it on like that gbe strings are lower then the ead

[@pauleliot6429]

thanks

[@58fenderdeluxe]

Assuming the pencil line on the nut is the same height as the first fret, would filing to the the line be going too far? Wouldn't that put the string too close to the fret?

[@larsplovmann4280]

I was thinking the same . Isent it to low ?

[@rorytheherb]

I agree 100% with your method. I'm surprised there are so many people out there who disagree. Look at any factory or custom produced guitar's nut and you'll see a nut whose slots are not deep enough, giving unnecessarily high action that can't be fixed by other adjustments. If you ask most guitar repair technicians, they will shy away from slotting to the fret height, and say it will make the guitar buzz. But that's only true if there is a weakness elsewhere in the setup.

[@onpsxmember]

They won't do it cause they don't want people complaining that their strings are buzzing. So they let people play with high action so it's not their fault from the factory.

[@danielhartle3778]

Jack Rory Staunton It's not rocket science. U put a business cards thickness under the string to make sure its not too low.

[@danielhartle3778]

Jack Rory Staunton or just make another line a mm above the 1st line to be safe from dropping the slotts too low

[@keithcarpentersr.4353]

Daniel Hartle you could also put a piece of construction paper or something of equivalent thickness over the frets and redraw the line

[@robinleebraun7739]

Several years ago, when I bought a medium priced Martin, I noticed that not only was it going sharp on some first position chords, especially fretted near the nut, but it was killing my fingers. I had it worked on by a technician at the store where I purchased it and the main thing he did was cut the nut slots much deeper. What I don’t understand is how a company like Martin could let such an elementary thing happen. That is an easily measured and adjusted thing. And NOBODY wants strings that high off the first fret.

[@Axen5986]

It seems to me that the line is at the same level as the frets. Correct?

[@AlanThomas-hp3fn]

Figured that out for the fist nut I made. No brainer. You can flatten a regilar pencil athough I purchased a carpenter pencil. String spacing for me is hard. If you have the old nut mark with it also.

[@vitoparedes95]

Awsome

[@richieprimoretro]

Hey Ken - Can I assume the same principle applies to bass guitars?

[@BoudreauGuitars]

Richie Primo absolutely

[@richieprimoretro]

Thank you, Sir!

[@pedroalagos9771]

how thick the penceil has to be?

[@liftaxdropchops8554]

I'm going to use a feeler gauge, and a micrometer

[@kennymallow3017]

cant get buzzing out gutair what do i do