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Post by Dessery on Aug 19, 2011 22:32:17 GMT
Hey All
I have an old electric guitar that i have had for years, its nothing special at all, but i have been playing it more and more recently for late night practice as i have to be really careful with volume in my flat.
It has always been strung with very light strings, either 9-42 or 10-46. I decided that as im using it a lot for slide in open G and D its about time i got some nice chunky strings for it!! So ive just bought myself a set of the Michael Messer Slide Classics (15 to 56), sat down ready to string it and realised the slots in the nut are way too narrow to fit these new strings in!!
I have no experience at all with modifying nuts, does anyone have any clever suggestions on how i can do it or would i have to buy a set of files if i want to do it myself? Im sure a set of files would come in handy down the road but they dont seem to be particularly cheap. Am i over thinking this? Im probably best off just taking it to a shop and getting it done properly?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Dave
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Post by slidenpickit on Aug 19, 2011 22:45:29 GMT
Hi Dave,
What guitar is it?
Have you actually tried to string it up yet with the new strings?
The only problem you usually have is with the wound 3rd which can be flossed with the actual string.
Cheers
Chris W
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Post by Dessery on Aug 19, 2011 23:06:29 GMT
Hey Chris!
Its an Ibanez SA220, i got it in my angry teenager phase and its just kind of stuck with me!! Its not exactly an ideal slide guitar but it does the job for at home practice.
I havent tried to string it properly yet, just laid the strings over the nut to try and fit them in the grooves. I did wonder about trying to just string it and hope that with enough pressure it will open it up a bit. The worst seem to be the 1st and 3rd strings, they just sit on top of the nut.
I may well have a crack at just stringing it up in the morning, and as you say, try and floss it with the string, i can't imagine that working so well with the 1st string though.
Thanks for the advice
Dave
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 20, 2011 8:03:08 GMT
Hi Dave, Flossing is okay, but not with your new strings as it will ruin them. Chris is correct that it works a treat, but not with a new set. You can pick up a set of files in shops like Maplin. They are not guitar nut files, but for six quid they will do the job. Here's a link to them... www.maplin.co.uk/6-piece-needle-file-set-223527Shine On Michael. |
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2011 8:08:01 GMT
Hi dave
I bought an ibanez esp m207 as angry 36 year old - just sold it last week. I'd say be brave, its only a nut, and you want to play it. If flossing won't work (on the non-wound end) try a serated knife, hacksaw or stanley knife - Ive used all three on my less precious guitars, with no probs - just don't get too carried away.
TT
addit - I was typing this as MM replied - MMs advice is MUCH better than mine!
TT
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Post by Dessery on Aug 20, 2011 9:34:32 GMT
Thanks guys!!
Ill pop into town and try and pick up a set of those files today.
Ill let you know how it goes.
Dave
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Post by ghnarumen on Aug 20, 2011 9:41:04 GMT
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 20, 2011 10:08:33 GMT
Before I got a set of nut files I used (after cutting the slot with a small hacksaw blade) a fret-saw frame with a string (1size larger than the one I would put on guitar) instead of a blade. PT
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Post by slidenpickit on Aug 20, 2011 11:16:02 GMT
A hacksaw blade will work for the first string. In the past I have used the off cut from the the end of the string for the flossing part.
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Post by Dessery on Aug 20, 2011 13:55:01 GMT
Thank you everyone for your responses!! I took michael's advice and went and got a set of files from maplins. Its not easy to be accurate with, especially on the first string as the files were a lot bigger than the slot but it did the job, managed to get the slots open enough and its still holds the strings nice and tight. I strung it all up, neally lifted the bridge straight off of the guitar with the extra tension, oops  After tightening up the springs on the tremolo though it all sorted itself out, bit of tweaking to the truss rod and the action and im away!! I have to say im really quite blown away by the difference these strings have made, for what is a completely inappropriate and quite frankly cheap guitar, it sounds fantastic through my little Sessionette 75 amp, its really singing. Well done Michael, another great product with your name on it, these strings are fantastic!! I look forward to playing it in properly. Thanks again everybody. Dave |
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Post by oldmanblue on Aug 22, 2011 9:46:33 GMT
i have used & still have a set work great just take your time & take care.omb |
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Post by bryanbradfield on Aug 22, 2011 18:56:39 GMT
Perhaps I'm a bit late, but here are my experiences. I agree with the small files for the wound strings, but for strings 1 & 2, I sharpen a good jack-knife blade with a mill file to give a bit of a serrated edge. For string 2, I rock the knife blade slightly as I'm cutting.
The welding tip cleaners are handy as well. I used them recently to enlarge the bridge through holes on a ukulele which I wanted to use larger strings on.
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