What Did You Do With Your Guitar(s) Today?

[James Freeman]

FINALLY bit the bullet and ordered some nut files to fix a couple guitars. My PRS CE-24 has a dead string at the nut and my Epiphone 335 has tuning issues with the Vibrola.

Nut files are one of the most important guitar tools I have, made huge difference in playability in every guitar I filed.

Thread 'Nut Files'

Jan 10, 2025

Absolutely the best setup related gear investment are nut files in my honest opinion, not even the most expensive guitars I have came with a perfectly cut nut, it is usually too high or not cut/shaped at all.
I found that nut height is makes all the difference between a REALLY nice and easy playing guitar and not, everything else being equal.

I bought these:

Carefully filed each string for minimum gap at first fret.

Side view after filing slots and top shaping

From fretboard.

• James Freeman

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[norminal]

Nut files are one of the most important guitar tools I have, made huge difference in playability in every guitar I filed.

This.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

If you file a nut, should the slots be filed for the gauge of string you are using, or the next gauge up? IE, if I am using 9-12-15-24-32-42 strings, should I file the 42 (for instance) with a 42 gauge file, or a 46 gauge file? You obviously wouldn't want the nut filed for 42 when you are using a 46 gauge string, but I'm unsure if you should file at the gauge you are using, or the next gauge up.

 

[Eagle]

If you file a nut, should the slots be filed for the gauge of string you are using, or the next gauge up? IE, if I am using 9-12-15-24-32-42 strings, should I file the 42 (for instance) with a 42 gauge file, or a 46 gauge file? You obviously wouldn't want the nut filed for 42 when you are using a 46 gauge string, but I'm unsure if you should file at the gauge you are using, or the next gauge up.

It depends how good your files are . No movement in the bottom of the slot and no pinching is what you are aiming for. Many files are just not that accurate. It’s not unusual to need to run a 10 file for a 9 string. A lot of the double sided files are oversized too so you need to get to know how your set measure up.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

I've kind of half assed addressed some fretboard shrinking by using a 6" fret file from StewMac and micro mesh pads. I need to get it 100%, but I'd need to remove the neck. I have a few other guitars (maybe 3-4) that I need to address as well. The sound is fucking hideous, but it seems to address the issue quite efficiently.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Got home from work and decided to finally get around to refretting my old tele. It's been in desperate need of one for a while but I've been neglecting it for other guitars. So just tonight I removed the old frets and hardware. Frets came out clean with no chipping. Literally only took 5 minutes! As the week goes on I'll refret and do all that biz. Jescar gold 58118 frets. Probably going to reinstall my older Fralin single coils back into it with a white pickguard. It'll be nice to get this one in optimal shape as it really is a special one to me.

I never realized how crazy the rosewood grain is til the light hits it just right? It's darker in person.

 

[James Freeman]

View attachment 39797

Is that a fretlessnutlessstringlesspickuplessbridgeless guitar?
I heard sting plays one too, very cool.

 

[Eldorado]

Changed out the pickups in my LP Classic Lite, from the fugly zebras to covered 57 Classics.

 

[DrewJD82]

It’s raining out so I’ll have an unhappy husky saying “OOoooooooooohhh” to me all night, but no doggie park today and it’s been a slow day at work so I’ll actually have some energy to pick up a guitar!

 

[megametal7]

Restring with NYXL + clean. G string kept popping out from the slot….. I had to tighten that damn thing like mad…. Now im worried its gonna do same thing on my next gig.

I’ve tested it at home and will test it again at rehearsal but still have that worry back of my head.

Im gonna take a back up guitar just in case. I usually dont thats how much faith i have im NYXL s ….

But after set up my tech had to cut one of the bolts shorter after intonation it was blocking term… I could go down but not up…. Because slot went so far back.

 

[ragingplatypi]

Getting my slide part to sound less “murdering kittens” and more Bonnie Raitt