justfine99
Hi All
So I got fed up with my stock nut on my Tele blacktop, because it really was setup quite badly and overall I have setup the guitar exactly how I want it and the only thing left was the nut, which especially pinches the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string.
Not remembering the string spacing I thought I would try out the TUSQ strat style model only to find that the string spacing is wider on the old nut than on the TUSQ nut. I still went ahead and filled it down getting it perfect, but now there is quite a large gap between the fretboard edge and the E strings. I thought maybe that it was because I bought a "strat style" nut and I am using a Tele, but after checking like 20 different Strats and Tele's I found that 99% of them all had a 42mm nut which is exactly the same as my Blacktop, so why would TUSQ manufacture a "start style" nut specifically made for Fenders if the string spacing is too narrow IMO.
Am I missing something or does anyone have some advice for me.
?
AlanRatcliffe
There have been a half dozen Strat nut widths through the years and through the different factories, some similar, but not quite the same. US "42mm" could be the vintage 41.91mm (1.65") or the modern 42.86mm (1 11/16"). Then again, with the Asian versions, they often round out to the closest metric equivalent - 42mm or 43mm. Most manufacturers tend to just make a wider one and let you cut it down, but that affects the string spacing, Graph Tech make the different varients (including my fave, the 44.45mm).
I usually just use blanks and copy the original nut - more work, but less likely to change the feel.
justfine99
Hi Alan
Thanks for all the valuable info, I actually checked the packaging and it was the PQ-5010-00 which according to the Graphtech website is not the "strat style" but actually the "Fender style" with an E - E of 34.59mm, whereas the Strat style has an E - E spacing of 35.25mm and my current nut has a spacing of about 36mm, so I would have preferred the tiny bit of extra spacing.
I actually stringed her up and after comparing the outside fretboard gap of my Gibson Explorer and the Fender it actually looked and measured identical with a gap of 1/8" and it actually played fine, just shows you how "paranoid" I am sometimes ? Finally though my 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings are no longer sounding "dull / muted" so I am quite happy with the TUSQ NUT.
Do you perhaps know where I can get more if needed, because I got mine from Music Mate but it looks like its just stock that's been there for a while and I don't think they will get in more of a variety.
Anyway thanks for your help and keep up the good work with the site!
Justin
AlanRatcliffe
Yeah shops will sell you what they have in stock, regardless. BTW, if the little ledge between the edge of the fingerboard and the nut annoys you, you can always build up the nut width using superglue and either filings from the nut or some baking powder. Fiddly job, but sometimes worth it.
Marshall Cape are the local distributors, so I would guess they should have a decent stockholding.
justfine99
Hi Alan
Thanks again for all the useful info, but the nut length is 100% as it was too long so I filed it down to fit the "nut slot length" I was referring to the distance from the outsides of the finger board to the low and high E. The string spacing is more narrow than the stock nut, so the strings are "further away" from finger board edge, but none the less it seems to be playing fine. Would still like to get a nut that has the E - E spacing of about 35.5mm to the original 36mm.
Like I mentioned the distance from the edge of the finger board to the low and high E is about 1/8" and this is the same
on my Gibson Explorer. In your opinion is this fin or should I try and get a new nut to get the strings closer to the edges?
Sorry maybe I didn't explain it properly in the first place, but hopes the above makes sense.
AlanRatcliffe
Not a problem. In fact having a slightly narrower spacing means you are less likely to push your strings off the edges of the board when you play.
justfine99
Thanks again Alan!! much appreciated! ?
