Dan is da man - He is an industry icon - I read his columns in Guitar Player when so was in high school 40+ yrs ago! He made a name taking good care of the 70’s guitar gods’ axes, there is nobody better. And those who are equal learned from Dan Erlewine. StewMac is very lucky to have him.
I spent a couple weeks with him in the late 80’s/early 90’s. I took 2 repair classes that were offered at the time. He’s as good a person as he is a repairman. Great guy!
Mr. Dan I can't believe you waited two and a half years to do this simple fix to your guitar! But that's how it usually goes, fix everybody else's guitars and put you own on the back burner. Love your videos, much respect!
Ya gotta love Mr. Erlewine! He reminds me of my Pop (rip) who would help me work my guitars when I was young. My Dad didn't play guitar but he was incredibly mechanically gifted & an encyclopedia of practical advice. I own most all of Dan Erlewine's books on Guitar repair & especially treasure the fret repair books. It was in fact my Dad, who after reading one of Dan's repair articles in a late 80's Guitar Player Mag, said to me "Read this repair article... pay attention to the measurments, tools & advice.. follow this Erlewine guy, " It was surprising to hear my Dad say that because he repaired EVERYTHING himself & didn't have confidence in other people's repair or precision skills--in any field. I just listened & he was so absolutely right. I've never met Dan Erlewine but he's a mentor & when it comes to fixing the guitar he's a true & valued compass bearing. Cheers!
Been watching and reading Dan's work since StewMac only produced a paper catalog 4 times a year, and Dan had a full head of dark hair! :) Wishing you the best always Dan!
Hey Dan! It's a been a long time! I fondly remember those days in Big Rapids, Michigan in the late 70s/early 80s when you would take care of my guitars.
I used to watch StewMac videos after school. (After two or three episodes I used to fall asleep.) Dan is seriously a treasure. Love to everybody at StewMac!❤️
Dan is the Bob Ross of guitar repair and maintenance. I can watching his tutorials for hours and it's such useful information! I bought his guide to guitar maintenance 18yrs ago and it taught me so much. Probably saved me thousands in setup/repair costs on my guitars over the years. Thanks Dan!
Mr. Erlewine, it's good to see you again and well nowadays, specially with all this virus stuff around the world. I hope you and your family stay safe. Thanks for more one great guitar tricks video. Regards from Rio
Have a huge respect for this gentlemen... Thankyou so much Mr. Erlewine for all all i learned from you, in your videos and your books. It allowed me to do most of the repairs and setups on all of my guitars :)
Thank you Dan. Yesterday I had a gig and during the soundcheck the nut of my snakebyte snapped loose and the low E-string cut out a piece of the slot. With this method I could quickly repair the nut slot. However, I filed down a string pin from an acoustic guitar to powder because I didn't have the bone powder available so quick. I will replace the whole nut now but I wanted to let you know that you really helped me out. I really wanted to play my guitar and with this knowledge it worked out.
I have learned so much from this man years ago (from my old StewMac repair video purchases) that I share with my guitar students to this day. So very happy to see him still sharing this wealth of knowledge! LEGEND.
Dan, I have a 2005 Ovation that was given to me by my father that was in bad shape after 15+ years of being my primary guitar. It was bad enough that I was considering getting a new guitar. My father passed away in 2010, so I really didn’t want to write it off just yet. Thanks to your videos, I was able to repair the guitar-literally just finished after weeks of hard work and learning everything from you! I can’t thank you enough! The wealth of knowledge you possess and have decided to gift to the world through your videos is priceless. They will surely stand the test of time and help many more people through the years! Thank you again! 🙏🏼
I had poor results with this product following the method in this video and talked to a tech at stewmac. He recommended some changes in the process. First, he recommended using a file slightly larger thn the existing slot and then roughing it up with Mitchell abrasive cord, cleaning the slot with Naptha (I did that before), putting small amount of powder in slot then using a glue looper or drop fill toothpick to get even smaller amounts of glue on the powder than you can with a whip tip. Then, he recommended giving a few minutes (2-3) to dry then spraying superglue accelerator, then building the fill up in several layers - he said 3-5 layers - repeated every 10-20 minutes (to allow more curing) betwen layers. He also recommended leaving it overnight before recutting the slot if possible. (I had done that too on later attempts.) I didn't try it though. That adds more expense for the abrasive cord and accelerator, and more time (10 - 20 min x 5 layers = 70 to 140 minutes.) It seems easier and faster to cut a new nut unless you REALLY want to save the nut that is on the guitar.
This dude is so cool; bought the powder and #10 glue off this video alone. Dan reminds me of my guitarist grandfather who passed away in 2011. I miss him dearly. ❤️ Thanks for the video. Total class!
I just bought a new saddle because my A string on my Martin was buzzing. That didn’t work, then my brain actually started working and I figured out it was the nut, used the foil from a stick of gum and now it’s fine! Quick fix until a new nut gets dropped in there. Thanks Dan!
Sensei...it is people like you, that make this world a good and fun place.... many kind thanks for leading us to better ways,,, too bad we can click only once on Like,, and not a billion times.
Dan's videos warm my heart! My first guitar repair book was Dan's. I got it when I was a teenager and started working on my own guitars. Thank you, Dan and StewMac!
Thx ole StewieBoi, been doing minor and intermediate luthier work for almost 20years but my new job thrust me right into full on repair guy for all stringed instruments, including orchestra instruments. Anywho, I was told about the super glue + baking soda method but hadn't had a fix that required it....until now. I currently am not working at the store and this is on my personal 8 strang multi scale classical guitfiddle, and my high E buzzes when its open. Thanks so much for coaching me through this, about to give a whirl.
I laughed when I saw the cigarette foil being used to raise the string. That technique is still widely used! I was at my luthier recently and we spoke at length about Dan and his videos. He is a massive fan of Dan's and his workshop of full of StewMac tools and gadgets. My luthier is well known in Ireland and beyond and has a great reputation.
My first acoustic nut split in half as a kid, years before I even knew where to buy a new one haha. I carved little grooves in a pencil and sat it behind the nut for a few years before i found a new one. Worked fine and didn't mess up the action.
Dan is a hero of mine - straight up good advice! I have his Guitar Player Repair Guide, 3rd edition, everything a guitar player should know at 3 levels.
Dan, absent Nut Powder, could you have used a little fine ebony dust mixed with a touch of graphite and then CA glue? Thanks for all the knowledge, my son thinks I’m smart.
AWESOME Dan!!! Thanks so much... I'm fixing a Tele deluxe with the same issue..and don't want redo the nut!! But don't have access to the magic dust...so will use baking soda and nail polish for a temporary fix.
Funny thing I did this last night to my 00028 that developed a buzz on the high E. I wake up this AM, and there’s a video lesson from Dan waiting in my email!
Awesome Mr. Dan, I don't know why my open low E string rattles. Drive me nuts. Since my Epiphone Les Paul nut is brass type, temporarily I used bubble gum wrap, rattles sound gone. Now can play with peace of mind 😅. Will get a new nut soon. Cheers and god bless you, your family & your dedicated team too 🙏
Dan, I love your videos. Don't know how many I have seen about filling/fixing nut slots, but there is always some new little detail I pick up from watching you. Would love to know how to keep those whip tips from plugging up!
Thanks Dan, great and inspirational videos. Love the easy way you show how to repair and customize. Other than with videos you don't talk too much and do not show the obvious stuff, so I do not get to the point I want to skip parts. Please keep on going.
I have your book, " How to make your electric guitar play great ". Good information in it. I have successfully put superglue in the nut slot. Filed it properly so the open string rings clear. It doesn't wear down and will last many years. That being said, your version is better.
Sir I watched you and used baking soda , I was going to use JB Weld however I watched you and choose baking soda . Improvise, Overcome Adapt. Used what I had. Thank you Art B in Mass. Subscribed
Dan is such a great guitar repair and tech guy and how can you not love the guy? I just got his 2nd edition book and it is filled with juicy gold nuggets. My Custom Shop BB now plays even better, but I will swap out the pickups and now I'm confident that I can! I also have a J200 that has a nut I want to work *just a tad on* should I go too far I now know how ta fix it :) Much love from Norway.
You can make your own nut powder. Sand a piece of ebony, rosewood or bone. Catch the sanding dust and use it to fill. I once fixed a chip in a rosewood fretboard. Can’t tell it was repaired unless you know where to look. Even then you have to look really close. Use the dust with superglue.
If you do this, I would recommend a very fine toothed file vs. sandpaper. Sandpaper will knock some grit loose and you will end up with a little of it in your dust which will discolor your results a touch.
I bought pen turning blanks, in several woods, from Rockler. (approx 1x1x4) I file them and some old bone nuts and saddles, with a double cut bastard. I save the dust in small prescription bottles. I don't use sanding dust, because I don't want any sanding grit in the powder
I bought pen turning blanks, in several woods, from Rockler. (approx 1x1x4) I file them and some old bone nuts and saddles, with a double cut bastard. I save the dust in small prescription bottles. I don't use sanding dust, because I don't want any sanding grit in the powder.
Man, I'm so happy every time dan comes out with a video teaching stuff! Just because of those videos i just opened my guitar repairshop here in chile and it's going great!! Thanks dan!!!
Would love some more specific guidance on how much of the nut dust and how much super glue to load into the slot. Also is there a guide to what width file to use for different string slots? I need to do this to the high e string on a Strat neck that I string with 010s.
Great info! I find that a lot of Gibson Custom Shop guitars have a nut slot cut very deep, often too deep for the high E string causing it to rattle on the 1st fret when played open. These guitars usually have nylon nuts. I've used various fillers for nuts made from plastic, bone and other materials that work very well, but never one made from nylon. What can be used as a filler for a nylon nut?
Can you do this to the top of a acoustic saddle to raise the action of one string? Epoxy or super glue? My low E is a bit too low, but the rest of the strings are perfect. It's a compensated saddle. It also has an under saddle pickup, so a shim is not an option. My only other option is to get another saddle made. But if I can build up the height of the low E string and not lose resonance or volume thru the pickup, that would be great.
I bought a huge Bone Nut and I sand it with 180 grit sandpaper and make my own Bone dust. I came up with my method on my own, just by realizing that the dust I was making filing the Nut could be used to fill the gap I had just made if I went too low.
stewmac doesn't cover bass guitars much if at all but i would guess this would apply to them as well as it's all the same parts basically. i recently acquired a very nice sr400 1996 ibanez bass that has a buzzy E string that isn't just my soft finger pads but i am having trouble determining whether it's a fret issue or the nut or something else. I like to be able to learn and figure things out myself even though it'd be easier to take it to a professional
Man, I had got my start working on guitars by putting a piece of paper wrapper on the low E string nut slot, before outright replacing it entirely. What a coincidence!
A question for Mr. Dan Erewine and / or the Stew Mac channel administrator. I'm Mr.Tom, I write and record commercially licensed music as a music composer, under performance rights organization BMI, Inc. I've been setting up my own electronic and acoustic string instruments for a long time now and I wondering if you had any fix actions to this issue. I noticed on more then one of my acoustic guitars, the holes where the bridge pins go into... The steel strings have cut deep forward "v" notches into the wood of the bridge. The reason is because of the pressure / friction of the strings over time. Is there any fix and/or preventative for that issue other then a completed new acoustic bridge? It's not currently an issue... but I would like to correct it before it comes one.Thank You for your time.
That, really, should not be a problem. Such slots, cut angled from the bottom of the pin hole to the top of the saddle, are often, purposely, cut to relieve stress on the strings and maintain a good pin to saddle angle. If they are naturally worn, it might be a good idea to take them to a reputable shop and have the slots just Slightly (a couple thousandths), widened, to keep the strings from binding.
Does the black "Repair Powder" work on closing up the large sizes some of the string groves on a black plastic nut? I am trying to convert my bass into a "High-FIve" bass by getting rid of my thick "B" string and then moving the rest of the thinner strings up and adding a "C" string as my thinnest string. And then tuning it to D or E, A, D, G, C.
The repair powder works wonders on nut slots, however it sounds like in this case a new nut would give you a better result! It can be difficult to completely fill slots and change the string spacing and might not give you the good result your looking for. Good luck!
Took my Gibson Explorer to the shop a while back, and came back to my b string being cut way too low. It has a lot of buzz, and it’s very annoying. Shop normally does me good, but it’s too late now to go back and ask for a fix. Upsetting.
Mr. Erlewine, Perhaps you can help me...I have broken the actual NUT slot that the nut goes in on my strat. can I build it back up or can I place a nut against the existing fret board like on many LP's or acoustics? Any help will be appreciated Thanks.
I love this guy. Don’t even know him and he’s a positive influence on my life. Could watch for hours.
Me too. I wish he had a weekly hour long show👍👍
Dan is da man - He is an industry icon - I read his columns in Guitar Player when so was in high school 40+ yrs ago! He made a name taking good care of the 70’s guitar gods’ axes, there is nobody better. And those who are equal learned from Dan Erlewine. StewMac is very lucky to have him.
I hear ya ! I love watching him !!!
I spent a couple weeks with him in the late 80’s/early 90’s. I took 2 repair classes that were offered at the time.
He’s as good a person as he is a repairman. Great guy!
Caleb,
I agree.
Relaxing to watch and listen to.
Mr. Dan I can't believe you waited two and a half years to do this simple fix to your guitar! But that's how it usually goes, fix everybody else's guitars and put you own on the back burner. Love your videos, much respect!
Something about cobbler's children and no shoes.... 🙃
Ya gotta love Mr. Erlewine! He reminds me of my Pop (rip) who would help me work my guitars when I was young. My Dad didn't play guitar but he was incredibly mechanically gifted & an encyclopedia of practical advice. I own most all of Dan Erlewine's books on Guitar repair & especially treasure the fret repair books. It was in fact my Dad, who after reading one of Dan's repair articles in a late 80's Guitar Player Mag, said to me "Read this repair article... pay attention to the measurments, tools & advice.. follow this Erlewine guy, " It was surprising to hear my Dad say that because he repaired EVERYTHING himself & didn't have confidence in other people's repair or precision skills--in any field. I just listened & he was so absolutely right. I've never met Dan Erlewine but he's a mentor & when it comes to fixing the guitar he's a true & valued compass bearing.
Cheers!
Great comment man, your dad sounds like a smart man
Been watching and reading Dan's work since StewMac only produced a paper catalog 4 times a year, and Dan had a full head of dark hair! :) Wishing you the best always Dan!
Hey Dan! It's a been a long time! I fondly remember those days in Big Rapids, Michigan in the late 70s/early 80s when you would take care of my guitars.
I remember him from Big Rapids, too. He fixed my Hofner Bass.
I used to watch StewMac videos after school. (After two or three episodes I used to fall asleep.) Dan is seriously a treasure.
Love to everybody at StewMac!❤️
how can you not like dan?! from bubblegum paper to best luthier in the globe with the same humbleness! a true blue madlad!
Dan is the Bob Ross of guitar repair and maintenance. I can watching his tutorials for hours and it's such useful information! I bought his guide to guitar maintenance 18yrs ago and it taught me so much. Probably saved me thousands in setup/repair costs on my guitars over the years. Thanks Dan!
Happy little frets
Dan's really the Bob Ross of luthiery.
Dan, you always make me feel like I can do it! You and the StewMac guys are simply the best.
Always a good thing when there is a new Dan Erlewine Video ! Thanks and Keep em coming !
Mr. Erlewine, it's good to see you again and well nowadays, specially with all this virus stuff around the world.
I hope you and your family stay safe.
Thanks for more one great guitar tricks video.
Regards from Rio
Have a huge respect for this gentlemen...
Thankyou so much Mr. Erlewine for all all i learned from you, in your videos and your books. It allowed me to do most of the repairs and setups on all of my guitars :)
Dan your knowledge and experience is truly priceless thank you for giving us a glimpse of a true master craftsman
Thank you Dan. Yesterday I had a gig and during the soundcheck the nut of my snakebyte snapped loose and the low E-string cut out a piece of the slot. With this method I could quickly repair the nut slot. However, I filed down a string pin from an acoustic guitar to powder because I didn't have the bone powder available so quick. I will replace the whole nut now but I wanted to let you know that you really helped me out. I really wanted to play my guitar and with this knowledge it worked out.
I have learned so much from this man years ago (from my old StewMac repair video purchases) that I share with my guitar students to this day. So very happy to see him still sharing this wealth of knowledge! LEGEND.
Dan, I have a 2005 Ovation that was given to me by my father that was in bad shape after 15+ years of being my primary guitar. It was bad enough that I was considering getting a new guitar. My father passed away in 2010, so I really didn’t want to write it off just yet. Thanks to your videos, I was able to repair the guitar-literally just finished after weeks of hard work and learning everything from you!
I can’t thank you enough! The wealth of knowledge you possess and have decided to gift to the world through your videos is priceless. They will surely stand the test of time and help many more people through the years!
Thank you again! 🙏🏼
I had poor results with this product following the method in this video and talked to a tech at stewmac. He recommended some changes in the process. First, he recommended using a file slightly larger thn the existing slot and then roughing it up with Mitchell abrasive cord, cleaning the slot with Naptha (I did that before), putting small amount of powder in slot then using a glue looper or drop fill toothpick to get even smaller amounts of glue on the powder than you can with a whip tip. Then, he recommended giving a few minutes (2-3) to dry then spraying superglue accelerator, then building the fill up in several layers - he said 3-5 layers - repeated every 10-20 minutes (to allow more curing) betwen layers. He also recommended leaving it overnight before recutting the slot if possible. (I had done that too on later attempts.) I didn't try it though. That adds more expense for the abrasive cord and accelerator, and more time (10 - 20 min x 5 layers = 70 to 140 minutes.) It seems easier and faster to cut a new nut unless you REALLY want to save the nut that is on the guitar.
What a pleasure watching you work, Dan. Thank you.
Thank you Dan , this is a big help , for someone with a heavy hand that hates replacing nuts !
This dude is so cool; bought the powder and #10 glue off this video alone. Dan reminds me of my guitarist grandfather who passed away in 2011. I miss him dearly. ❤️
Thanks for the video. Total class!
I had some bone dust powder I got from a buck deer antler I was using it to make a little Medallion necklace with a crystal stone in it
Dan has forgotten more about guitar repair and maintenance than most of us remember. Thanks Dan. P.S. That is a beautiful guitar.
Bless you Dan, always a pleasure!
I just bought a new saddle because my A string on my Martin was buzzing. That didn’t work, then my brain actually started working and I figured out it was the nut, used the foil from a stick of gum and now it’s fine! Quick fix until a new nut gets dropped in there. Thanks Dan!
Sensei...it is people like you, that make this world a good and fun place.... many kind thanks for leading us to better ways,,, too bad we can click only once on Like,, and not a billion times.
Dan's videos warm my heart! My first guitar repair book was Dan's. I got it when I was a teenager and started working on my own guitars. Thank you, Dan and StewMac!
I have both of his Books and they are great. He is awesome. Dan is the man.
this channel is a life saver and my dream job/shop
THANK YOU SO MUCH GRANDPA, I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE MY GUITAR NUT BUT I MESSED IT UP, BUT THERE'S YOU! THANK YOU 😭
Thx ole StewieBoi, been doing minor and intermediate luthier work for almost 20years but my new job thrust me right into full on repair guy for all stringed instruments, including orchestra instruments. Anywho, I was told about the super glue + baking soda method but hadn't had a fix that required it....until now. I currently am not working at the store and this is on my personal 8 strang multi scale classical guitfiddle, and my high E buzzes when its open. Thanks so much for coaching me through this, about to give a whirl.
Watching you teach is a great pleasure.
I laughed when I saw the cigarette foil being used to raise the string. That technique is still widely used! I was at my luthier recently and we spoke at length about Dan and his videos. He is a massive fan of Dan's and his workshop of full of StewMac tools and gadgets. My luthier is well known in Ireland and beyond and has a great reputation.
It was chewing gum wrapper.
Dan Erlewine is a national treasure.
Dan is awesome, never retire!
My first acoustic nut split in half as a kid, years before I even knew where to buy a new one haha. I carved little grooves in a pencil and sat it behind the nut for a few years before i found a new one. Worked fine and didn't mess up the action.
Thanks once again dan ! Appreciate all i have learned from watching you for many years.
Dan you are very inspiring! You are my go to for all my guitar tune ups and repairs!
Thanks Dan. I've got the stuff ordered. I knew you would have what I needed even before I knew what it was.
Dan is a hero of mine - straight up good advice! I have his Guitar Player Repair Guide, 3rd edition, everything a guitar player should know at 3 levels.
First-class video Dan thank you from the UK
Dan, absent Nut Powder, could you have used a little fine ebony dust mixed with a touch of graphite and then CA glue? Thanks for all the knowledge, my son thinks I’m smart.
AWESOME Dan!!! Thanks so much... I'm fixing a Tele deluxe with the same issue..and don't want redo the nut!! But don't have access to the magic dust...so will use baking soda and nail polish for a temporary fix.
Funny thing I did this last night to my 00028 that developed a buzz on the high E. I wake up this AM, and there’s a video lesson from Dan waiting in my email!
Awesome Mr. Dan, I don't know why my open low E string rattles. Drive me nuts. Since my Epiphone Les Paul nut is brass type, temporarily I used bubble gum wrap, rattles sound gone. Now can play with peace of mind 😅. Will get a new nut soon. Cheers and god bless you, your family & your dedicated team too 🙏
Dan, I love your videos. Don't know how many I have seen about filling/fixing nut slots, but there is always some new little detail I pick up from watching you. Would love to know how to keep those whip tips from plugging up!
I just spent 200 buck at your shop. Hope it will work. Thanks Dan.
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the help! All the beswt from Hamburg Germany. 🙂
Thanks Dan, great and inspirational videos. Love the easy way you show how to repair and customize. Other than with videos you don't talk too much and do not show the obvious stuff, so I do not get to the point I want to skip parts. Please keep on going.
I have your book, " How to make your electric guitar play great ". Good information in it. I have successfully put superglue in the nut slot. Filed it properly so the open string rings clear. It doesn't wear down and will last many years. That being said, your version is better.
Thank you very much Dan, hope we can enjoy a visit again one day up at the great luthiers get together up in Woodstock, all the best
Dan I can't say how much I appreciate your contributions here! I love doing my own work on my instruments, and you make it easy! Cheers!
Like always, outstanding tip. I have followed a number of your approaches to fixes, thanks.
Great video Dan.
Sir I watched you and used baking soda , I was going to use JB Weld however I watched you and choose baking soda . Improvise, Overcome Adapt. Used what I had. Thank you Art B in Mass. Subscribed
Brilliant!
Thank you Dan for sharing with us your tips!
this guys is like Bob Ross of guitar repair
Dan is such a great guitar repair and tech guy and how can you not love the guy? I just got his 2nd edition book and it is filled with juicy gold nuggets. My Custom Shop BB now plays even better, but I will swap out the pickups and now I'm confident that I can! I also have a J200 that has a nut I want to work *just a tad on* should I go too far I now know how ta fix it :)
Much love from Norway.
Great video! Glaser is the one to go to in Nashville. As a native trust me.
Thank you Dan! Love your videos I’ve been a fan for a long time.
Hope all is well.👍
You can make your own nut powder. Sand a piece of ebony, rosewood or bone. Catch the sanding dust and use it to fill. I once fixed a chip in a rosewood fretboard. Can’t tell it was repaired unless you know where to look. Even then you have to look really close. Use the dust with superglue.
If you do this, I would recommend a very fine toothed file vs. sandpaper. Sandpaper will knock some grit loose and you will end up with a little of it in your dust which will discolor your results a touch.
I bought pen turning blanks, in several woods, from Rockler. (approx 1x1x4)
I file them and some old bone nuts and saddles, with a double cut bastard.
I save the dust in small prescription bottles.
I don't use sanding dust, because I don't want any sanding grit in the powder
I have started collecting my wood dust and shavings for filling gaps and nut repairs. Thanks for the tips!
I bought pen turning blanks, in several woods, from Rockler. (approx 1x1x4)
I file them and some old bone nuts and saddles, with a double cut bastard.
I save the dust in small prescription bottles.
I don't use sanding dust, because I don't want any sanding grit in the powder.
Thank you for your videos. I always get something out of them and appreciate your experience.
Nut powder keep me dry all day long. Thanks Stew Mac!
Can you use graphite powder?
Man, I'm so happy every time dan comes out with a video teaching stuff! Just because of those videos i just opened my guitar repairshop here in chile and it's going great!! Thanks dan!!!
Weeena ctm, Dan es el mejor 💕
The legend, Mr. Dan!
Just what i need. Thank you
What a cool fix!
Would love some more specific guidance on how much of the nut dust and how much super glue to load into the slot. Also is there a guide to what width file to use for different string slots? I need to do this to the high e string on a Strat neck that I string with 010s.
Great info! I find that a lot of Gibson Custom Shop guitars have a nut slot cut very deep, often too deep for the high E string causing it to rattle on the 1st fret when played open. These guitars usually have nylon nuts. I've used various fillers for nuts made from plastic, bone and other materials that work very well, but never one made from nylon. What can be used as a filler for a nylon nut?
Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!
Can you do this to the top of a acoustic saddle to raise the action of one string? Epoxy or super glue? My low E is a bit too low, but the rest of the strings are perfect. It's a compensated saddle. It also has an under saddle pickup, so a shim is not an option. My only other option is to get another saddle made. But if I can build up the height of the low E string and not lose resonance or volume thru the pickup, that would be great.
I am using Bondic. Works perfect and fast. Transparent. Also works i to big screw holes.
I bought a huge Bone Nut and I sand it with 180 grit sandpaper and make my own Bone dust. I came up with my method on my own, just by realizing that the dust I was making filing the Nut could be used to fill the gap I had just made if I went too low.
Thanks Dan ! great job !
thanks alot mate very helpful
Thanks a million Dan
stewmac doesn't cover bass guitars much if at all but i would guess this would apply to them as well as it's all the same parts basically. i recently acquired a very nice sr400 1996 ibanez bass that has a buzzy E string that isn't just my soft finger pads but i am having trouble determining whether it's a fret issue or the nut or something else. I like to be able to learn and figure things out myself even though it'd be easier to take it to a professional
i stand corrected - just gotta do a little searchin' ua-cam.com/video/525exte3xMQ/v-deo.html
Wow just yesterday I needed a video on how to properly raise the bone nut weird coincidence. Luckily I Didn’t have to but great to know now!
Thank you sir
I've used the old baking soda a trick a few times ;0)
How long does the baking soda fix last? (Is it baking soda and super glue?)
@@arctichare8185 Yeah, it seems permanent on white bone and plastic ;0)
dude this is my new "i need something wholesome right now" channel lol
Man, I had got my start working on guitars by putting a piece of paper wrapper on the low E string nut slot, before outright replacing it entirely. What a coincidence!
Appreciate your wisdom !
I love you man .. You are the best .. Thanks for the tips ..
I guessing that the nut powder can be used to fill cracks in the fretboard. Where can I get some? Tom in Idaho
A question for Mr. Dan Erewine and / or the Stew Mac channel administrator. I'm Mr.Tom, I write and record commercially licensed music as a music composer, under performance rights organization BMI, Inc. I've been setting up my own electronic and acoustic string instruments for a long time now and I wondering if you had any fix actions to this issue. I noticed on more then one of my acoustic guitars, the holes where the bridge pins go into... The steel strings have cut deep forward "v" notches into the wood of the bridge. The reason is because of the pressure / friction of the strings over time. Is there any fix and/or preventative for that issue other then a completed new acoustic bridge? It's not currently an issue... but I would like to correct it before it comes one.Thank You for your time.
That, really, should not be a problem. Such slots, cut angled from the
bottom of the pin hole to the top of the saddle, are often, purposely, cut to relieve stress
on the strings and maintain a good pin to saddle angle.
If they are naturally worn, it might be a good idea to take them to a reputable shop and have the slots
just Slightly (a couple thousandths), widened, to keep the strings from binding.
Triple your pleasure , triple your fun with Double Mint, Double Mint gum.
Great tip Dan, thank you..
What about a Graph Tech nut? Can they be saved?
Does the black "Repair Powder" work on closing up the large sizes some of the string groves on a black plastic nut? I am trying to convert my bass into a "High-FIve" bass by getting rid of my thick "B" string and then moving the rest of the thinner strings up and adding a "C" string as my thinnest string. And then tuning it to D or E, A, D, G, C.
The repair powder works wonders on nut slots, however it sounds like in this case a new nut would give you a better result! It can be difficult to completely fill slots and change the string spacing and might not give you the good result your looking for. Good luck!
@@stewmac Thank you for the advice.
These videos make me wanna repair guitars.
Very Informative!! Thanks so much for this great video. Cheers
Took my Gibson Explorer to the shop a while back, and came back to my b string being cut way too low. It has a lot of buzz, and it’s very annoying. Shop normally does me good, but it’s too late now to go back and ask for a fix. Upsetting.
Thank you Dan
Hi do you have the red special plans?
Did the gum wrapper work? I've got some buzzes on a few guitars and I don't care much about esthetics! Thanks!
Dan - Do you have a video for correcting buzz because of the saddle. My Martin D 28 D string is buzzing and I am sure it is from the saddle.
Mr. Erlewine, Perhaps you can help me...I have broken the actual NUT slot that the nut goes in on my strat. can I build it back up or can I place a nut against the existing fret board like on many LP's or acoustics? Any help will be appreciated Thanks.
I can't seem to find a nut powder shop around here .