Making a Guitar Nut - 3 Tips for Proper Slotting

[@goodear1540]

Hearing Dan say "Killer" has made my day.

[@catcancrunch7260]

I have to say the diagram you showed on left corner screen really helped me understand, it's so evident you are a craftsman

[@onlyusernameleft2]

Dan is a national treasure and the Bob Ross of lutherie.

[@NicholasGnames]

when i first got into work like this, out of necessity on my own guitars, id encounter convos where dans name would come up and everyone would be like oh yeah well what his says is the way to do it and id be like lol who the heck is this guy. so i looked him up and watched a bunch of these videos. i love and appreciate the way he shares this knowledge with others. hes such a patient dude and great teacher

[@KPSoutside]

I love the fact that a master like Dan is willing to share his knowledge. Dan is the man.

[@chipsterb4946]

That drawing at 1:50 is worth more than the price of admission! Seriously - great presentation.

[@caguitarrepair]

"It's all the little things that add up" --- how true!

[@johnverhines9511]

Zig Ziglar “It's the little things that make a big difference.”

[@guitartec]

I am a pro repair tech of 45 years. I do not call myself a luthier, even though I do plenty of lutherie. I save the term for Master Luthiers such as Dan, as so many garage guitar builders call themselves a luthier, it diminishes the title imho. I am one of the only shops that asks the customer if they'd like to to stay and learn as I set-up or repair their guitar. I enjoy teaching the basics, but cutting nuts I don't teach b/c people are not usually set up with the correct files or understanding to fit and cut them properly. It took me years of trial and error and understanding to really get nutwork down pat, and I'm still learning. A video like this will get you more than you bargained for unless you are a highly gifted or methodical craftsman whose worked with different materials and understands the task at hand. Again, jmo so take it for what it's worth.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Luthier - If someone says they are a luthier, ask them "Are you a builder or and assembler?" If you work on stringed instruments you are a luthier according the dictionary but I know what you mean! Most of the job is understanding mechanical physics and going back to base principles, not assuming - electronics is totally that and when playing with valves that approach will keep you alive too.

[@stewmac]

It's funny... the word luthier is much discussed and debated here as well. Some think of it as a lofty word to be held in reserve for the highest masters, others think it's a descriptive word like carpenter which doesn't necessarily imply a level of experience or quality... just says I work on fretting instruments. I'm sure the discussion/debate will rage on forever. :)

[@guitartec]

@@stewmac We need a new title for those that fix and build guitars, but can't play them at all. That's always blown me away : D

[@nicholasbstone]

@@guitartec It comes from a desire to be able to do more with the instrument than a person is able to do when limited by their own lack of skill, talent, or natural ability. Not so hard to understand at all.

[@guitartec]

@@nicholasbstone Not sure why you take "blows me away" to mean I don't understand it. I am in awe of it.

[@paulbates4100]

This vid should be mandatory watching for all those folks fitting string redirection Tom Foolery to their headstocks. Thank you Dan for a fine explanation of nut finishing.

[@demian113]

Dan is the Bob Ross of guitar lutherie. Could listen to him drop knowledge all day!

[@ramencurry6672]

Huh?

[@Downtown_Andy]

I could listen to Dan talk about guitars all day. So relaxing

[@CassLoweMusic]

So nice to watch a real expert

[@drewgormley6933]

Dan, as an illustrator and educator, your new graphics are the perfect way to help the viewer visualize the correct way to make a nut.

[@nathanrichard4357]

I never really thought of it as supporting the stray and trying to let it speak. Very inspiring to see people who think like this

[@trzesnk]

Dan rocks! Happy to see you healthy!

[@polygonalmasonary]

I really learned a lot from your excellent video. It’s great to have someone with such knowledge and experience sharing it freely. Thank you so much 🙏. 🇬🇧♥️🌈

[@stewmac]

Thank you for watching!

[@jonesybones13]

The best details (and in 5 minutes) about how the nut slot should be shaped and reducing friction (especially on the 3rd and 4th string) for intonation. Thanks, Dan Erlewine!

[@XavierTheNeonTiger]

Hand filing my own nut and saddle made my $50 instrument feel like a $200 instrument and I firmly consider it worth learning how to do.

[@antares4975]

because you spent 150$ for the nut files

[@paxchristi2014]

​@@antares4975 😂😂😂

[@samspade8612]

Nice to hear a journeyman disclose his secrets for guitar lovers.

[@thecareyaffair]

Dan your a legend............Much love from Aust.!

[@dekrev]

Thanks Dan! I try to buy all my parts and pieces from y’all for this simple reason - all the time and effort you put in to make sure I have the info to do it right - appreciate that!

[@joem6859]

Dan is the man!! No one can teach guitar building like Dan!!

[@allfields]

Dan has much knowledge, every 2 or 3 sentences he alludes to a good tip or trick to keep in mind.

[@LennieDean]

It is the little things like this that I've learned from these vids that add up! You're a national treasure Dan!🤓

[@disco4535]

Dan's videos are pure gold

[@TheAngryMushroom]

Your repair book and tips helped me become a better luthier. Thank you Dan!

[@jayblow77]

This is the best video I've seen on filing nut slots. A+

[@stoatystoat174]

Thanks for something explained well with good camera work to see exactly what he is talking about. Love it when KZbin is the worlds Library

[@sethmcneill5283]

Wow one of the best how to videos on KZbin I’ve ever seen 🎉

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

I got myself set of nut files. Dan is my first source of know how Thanks for being here

[@stewmac]

Thanks for watching! Dan's an inspiration to us all!

[@shannonthomas8894]

Dan is the greatest! Plus his videos are always short and direct to the point!

[@tony.guitarplayer]

He is such a good teacher for me! I learned a lots of things from him.

[@Stewmade64]

I love the vibe of all these StewMac vids. And I love Uncle Dan’s demeanor. Much better than the 27 minute “off the top of your head” ramblings from some of those other luthier tip videos.

[@TempleGuitars]

Sorry about that.

[@mccloysong]

I almost said the exact same thing. His presentation is tight and you get the info right out of the gate. And his humble delivery belies his vast knowledge

[@noisybarinavalon]

Thanks for sharing Dan, always a pleasure to watch a master at their craft,

[@dba4292]

Love Dan Erlewine! So much knowledge. I do every single guitar repair possible, on acoustics and electrics. There is one job I don’t do, and that is guitar nuts. Doing nuts is a lost art that is so important and it must be perfect! Pause at 3:47 *that* is perfection. Look at how sexy those strings lay, it all just oozes top quality both from Gibson & Dan.

[@prssix]

For that simple fix you want, get a pocket set of files used for torch tip cleaning. About 6 or 7 dollars..

[@scottmulrooney3130]

30+ years ago I spent a couple weeks with Dan and Bryan Galloup. They covered cutting and fitting nuts, fretwork and Martin neck resets. 2 amazing teachers and craftsman. Thanks for this great explanation Dan!

[@mccloysong]

Your lessons are always so detailed yet concise, right to the point. So enjoyable and informative to watch. You answered all of the questions that I had almost immediately. Thank you so much always

[@ronnieremark3355]

Thanks Dan for your years of hands on experience. I hope to be there one day!

[@bretolson8484]

This is exactly what I woke up wanting to find this morning. Thank you 🙏

[@formallynamed85]

Thank you Dan I don’t recall seeing a good example or drawing to go with the ramp technique and now to order a couple new nuts 🥜 lol

[@stephenbarton2625]

Each time I watch your videos I always learn at least one more thing I just didn’t quite grasp before. You are really helping us. Thank you so much!!!

[@JodyHeltonBand]

Hi, I always enjoy your how to's. They have been helpful for me over the years. I've always had tuning issues with my Gibsons. I tried a bunch of different approaches; changed tuners, bridges, nuts. Nothing seemed to work. Well one day I got the bright idea to file the nut so that the pass through of each nut slot resembled a Gibson bridge saddle. This was in an effort to keep the string from touching as little nut material/surface as possible. Wow, did that make a difference. I do a lot bends through my several hours of practice, and now have to re-tune very little. Just saying, thought I'd put that out there. Best Wishes to All.

[@whiskybravo4648]

Thanks Dan, appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us.

[@41663]

Thank you . Getting the nut right is the most difficult thing I've had to do for my guitar.

[@scottmulligan3512]

Stu Mac rocks. Their stuff is superior. I bought a tail piece for my used Gibson hollowbody and it solved the rattle problem that I had.

[@gregmartin1757]

I been watching and Learning from this humble and extremely talented man for many years ! Dan is the man !

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Me too - ever since I got a book of his. I was so happy to find that he was also doing youtube videos.

[@400_billion_suns]

These videos are so enjoyable and helpful. Thanks StewMac and Dan! :)

[@cratecruncher6687]

Great lesson with a concise graphic. I'm on the last step of making a nut from scratch. Making the grooves can make or break the whole project.

[@stewmac]

Thanks!

[@SomeDudeOnline]

Not what I was looking for but very glad I watched this.

[@chrismichael8501]

Great demo, Dan, thanks!

[@fadeskywards1245]

I don't have the slightest clue on luthiery (or whatever the noun of "luthier" is), but this felt useful.

[@andrewwagner6851]

Luthierie

[@fadeskywards1245]

@@andrewwagner6851 Thanks. 👌

[@andrewwagner6851]

FadeSkywards no problem haha. Not a word you see very often.

[@fadeskywards1245]

@Reian Felipe That's true. 👌

[@waynzwhirled6181]

This is nuts!

[@dannywoody5497]

Greatly appreciate this video a giant help very direct into the point

[@andrekley]

I love the way you teach us! Thank you so much!

[@tonysansom]

Excellent advice, Sir! Thank you for sharing.

[@mmediaaudio]

Thank you Dan!

[@ep8029]

Thanks for the useful advice. I need to file my PRS, which won't stay in tune at the moment. Fingers crossed...

[@waybackplayback1347]

Good job and good video. Also, a good example of why a straight pull headstock is superior.

[@larrydrozd2740]

Flying V headstock, goes to a point, you get the angle back so no trees and you go straight to the machine head, no angle. I built my guitar with that in mind, which is why I copied it.

[@robertevans2143]

Excellent video. Finally someone knows what he is talking about.

[@efa666]

As a lefty, this is valuable information, gotta be able to make your own nuts for conversions.

[@pgilly7783]

Thank you sir building an SG kit and needed to know this because the nut is cut but not finished to the way you described 🖒

[@XSFlanger]

Very informative and do the point as always. Thank you for sharing the knowledge!

[@mississippimusic]

Thanks, Dan!

[@DjiDo]

Exactly what I needed right now. Those tools look super handy, all of them!👌🏻

[@tonyangelis2786]

Dan, I love you and I respect and admire your work and I have to admit that I've learnt A LOT from you all these years. But, don't get me wrong, in this video I am obliged to make a correction: when you turn your file a little sideways to widen the back of the nut at the same time the front of the nut is filed UNINTENTIONALLY. This is because you cannot tilt the file MORE downwards so that the back of the file won't work on the nut. You have to REMOVE the nut form the guitar for this job to be accomplished properly. I hope I'm not being impolite. By any means you are the best for many of us!

[@brianharbut4054]

Such good videos on here. A wealth of experience & perfectly explained. Thankyou

[@alancarter4044]

Thanks. You’re a good teacher!

[@jamesemerson4102]

Please show us how you shape the nut and how you remove the excess. I cannot find one demo that actually shows removing the excess material.

[@pavure]

Thank you, sir! That's really good to know.

[@amosjr4]

Thank you,Dan

[@sciencesaves]

How do I replace the compensated nut on my music man guitar? I have never filed a prefabbed compensated nut or any compensated nut. How do I do this? Any videos on that? Thanks for your help

[@MLFranklin]

Very nice. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.

[@c.turner4588]

Why not direction the D and G (for example) slots toward the tuning post intsead of straight slots please?

[@walterw2]

that's kinda what he's doing! the slots are *started* straight to make sure the spacing is right, then with the extra filing of the back edges it lets the string smoothly "swoop" into the direction of the tuner post by the time it leaves the back edge of the nut if it was a straight line from front edge of the nut angled straight towards the tuner post then you'd have a sharp bend at the *front* edge of the nut, you don't want that any more than you want it at the back edge

[@jonnybeck6723]

Thank you so much Dan... I'd actually been wonderin' 'bout that sideways angle when you have a 3 + 3 setup (a bit of common sense too I'm afraid) Thanx again and Cheers

[@oldguy5381]

Thanks for the tip, you rock

[@gabibonza]

Awesome! This old man have great skills!

[@egodzilla777]

This Dude is a Master!!!

[@belo1971]

Is it possible to put a new nut on a 42mm width guitar nut...from 35 mm to 36 mm from E string to E string ? Thanks a lot for your answer and help. Regards from France

[@minnixmusic]

Hey Dan do you have a video (or could you make one) about building a nut for slide guitar?

[@swamification]

Thanks Dan! Just did this same repair to my new Flying V, which wouldn’t stay in tune at all...D and G strings exit the nut at an even steeper angle than most other guitars. Performed the repair using my old Stew Mac nut files. But I think I need to upgrade to the diamond files :)

[@zbaby82]

My biggest problem with making a nut is the treble E and B strings tend to buzz in their slots and I'm not sure why?

[@ditchgator1]

Dan is the man! Thanks

[@MostlyTorso]

Thank you, Dr. Erlewine! (Seriously though, you'd make one heck of a surgeon!)

[@user-cq3oh8eq3n]

The 'safety factor' (.007" etc) that is added to the measured string height is valid for mandolin. Are there recommended values for electric guitar?

[@mjwontstop]

I wonder what size of file will work both acoustic and electric guitar

[@Skoora]

I have a V where the open A has a vibrational sound, possibly fret buzz on the first fret. Trying to figure out if it’s the nut slot got too low or worn out of shape or the first fret is high for the A string. I don’t have a fret rocker but can it even get a read on the first fret there, with no fret behind it to place the rocker? And yes, a fretted A# sounds fine.

[@jeremyjohnson2551]

Thank you for sharing!

[@roboreilly8151]

Thanks for another great video Dan 👍🏻

[@oRcNemesis]

Thanks Stew!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I think I have a bad nut slot on my new Strat. I took off the 'modern' factory cable-and-garotte string gauge and put on some slinkies ... but now the open high E string sounds duddy. It sounds fine fretted, but open or open 12th fret harmonic is a strange uneven tone that lacks sustain. What's the remedy?

[@cdk3law]

I'm going to try this on a Sigma I rescued from a pawn shop. Could someone please advise me on the proper size file thickness to use for each corresponding string slot? I see Stew Mack has multiple size nut files sizes ranging from 0.010" width to 0.095" and greater. Since I usually use light strings (.012/.053 or .013/.054)...should I use the same size file as the string I use, or a file that is just a little bit bigger than my strings? And what if I want to switch to a "medium" size string later...would that require the slot to be filed wider with an even wider file to accommodate the heavier string? Or, should I start out from the beginning to file a wider slot so I have room to grow later with heavier strings.

[@dereknolin5986]

This was great! Thanks!

[@espiritguitar]

Dan, the master.

[@Thurston86]

If the Nut starts to wear down will it begin to sound dull? If so, would that apply to a electric guitar Nut too?

[@mortensen1961]

I'm not sure about sounding "dull", but if the nut gets too worn, it could start buzzing. And yes, it does apply to electric guitar nuts as well (except for Floyd Rose-style nuts).

[@Cl3moh]

It's like turning Smirnoff into Grey Goose.👌

[@dannywoody5497]

Wonderful video

[@whowho8470]

Great video. I'm struggling with my Les Paul. G-string frequently goes out of tune and I'm reading that it has a lot to do with the nut slot not being angeled. I noticed you angle the slot a bit toward the G and the D but it was not a complete angled cut like I've seen done on other LP style guitars. Wouldn't it be better to angle each slot so it's directed straight to the tuner?

[@MouldyGuitars]

Great useful video.. I didnt know about the rounded back end ( I was sloping them) and also the widening slot. Will try it with my next build :) Is the widinedning at the back so important if the guitar has straight string pulls ? I assume not so much

[@onpsxmember]

So the graphite of the pencil is used to not take away material of the front when the correct slot depth is reached or is it just to see overall where material is removed?

[@Gonzorito421]

That is my understanding. If you don't see the pencil anymore stop. It keeps you from going too far. Many luthiers use a sharpie permanent marker on frets for the same kind of "guide" on metal. You may already know this... but many players use pencil graphite as a lube for the nut after it is all done. Pencil can get you through if you don't want to work the nut yourself or you are at a gig etc. Cheap quick hack.

[@onpsxmember]

@@Gonzorito421 Jep, if you got nothing else. I don't like it at all in that regard. It builds up, soon it's on the hands, all over the fretboard and sooner or later the fine magnetic dust reaches the pickups. Some use it for door locks as well. But sure, if there is nothing else. If I can, I use tiny amounts of PTFE (teflon) grease.

[@butcher_0392]

@@onpsxmember Actually, the graphite of the pencil is too useful so that the strings do not have tuning problems and the nut is lubricated. After each change of strings I recommend that you fill each space in the nut with graphite and then place the strings. So you will have a much better performance in tuning

[@onpsxmember]

@@butcher_0392 If the slots are cut right, there is little need for lubrication. If one wants to lubricate the nutslots, there is a plethora of non-magnetic greases that give better results without any potential damage to electronic components.

[@julianroot6031]

Thanks so much for these videos. One question-- you say (as many others do) that the strings should be resting at a depth of about half their diameter in the slot. Is this only the case for wound strings? The high E and B strings appear to not rise above the nut surface at all.

[@gisantos3060]

Awesome info here!