Nut Problem- Urgent Help Needed

[lonestar]

On Monday the g slot on my SX Precision nut broke off at rehearsal so I ordered new Graphtech Tusq nut.
It fits the slot perfectly but is too low. The G string is flat on the first fret.
Can I shim the nut as I'd like to use it and if so what's the best method ? I've read all sorts of stuff involving bits of plastic, veneer or baking soda and superglue
I would get a blank and have a go at cutting a new one but don't have any nut files.

[Bankai]

Is it just me who giggled at the title?

[skankdelvar]

The paper envelopes that strings come in. Cut one up. Snip several lengths to size. Glue together to form a shim. Drop into the slot, wind the strings up and try it for size (stop sniggering Bankai ). Add or subtract bits of paper till you're happy. Works fine

Nut files. £Scrillions from Stewmac or buy a set of welders nozzle cleaners for £1.85 as here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Welding-and-Cutting-Torch-Tips-Nozzle-Cleaners-Set-/160642401568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2567088520"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2567088520[/url]

...Then wrap a short length of the relevant-sized bass string in some wet and dry. Rub gently to get the file-scores out. Then some wide dental floss (waxed) to smooth it off and a squirt of PTFE. People charge you £'s for this sort of job and it's a piece of piss.

Edited September 23, 2011 by skankdelvar

[Mr. Foxen]

I got a rat tail file in a model shop that does for bass.

[lonestar]

Many thanks chaps.
I've tried a bit of used credit card which seem to be the right thickness. Not sure if it's best sonically the nut action fnarr fnarr is really nice now

[lonestar]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1316811884' post='1383375']
The paper envelopes that strings come in. Cut one up. Snip several lengths to size. Glue together to form a shim. Drop into the slot, wind the strings up and try it for size (stop sniggering Bankai ). Add or subtract bits of paper till you're happy. Works fine

Nut files. £Scrillions from Stewmac or buy a set of welders nozzle cleaners for £1.85 as here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Welding-and-Cutting-Torch-Tips-Nozzle-Cleaners-Set-/160642401568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2567088520"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2567088520[/url]

...Then wrap a short length of the relevant-sized bass string in some wet and dry. Rub gently to get the file-scores out. Then some wide dental floss (waxed) to smooth it off and a squirt of PTFE. People charge you £'s for this sort of job and it's a piece of piss.
[/quote]
Great filing tip thanks mate

[henry norton]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1316811884' post='1383375']
Nut files. £Scrillions from Stewmac or buy a set of welders nozzle cleaners for £1.85 as here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Welding-and-Cutting-Torch-Tips-Nozzle-Cleaners-Set-/160642401568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2567088520"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2567088520[/url]
[/quote]

You fekkin' genius!

[lonestar]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NUT-FILE-FITS-STRATOCASTER-TELECASTER-PICKUP-NECK-BODY-/190578169933?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c5f58184d

In fact they work so well someone is selling them as nut files

[Musky]

[quote name='lonestar' timestamp='1316857499' post='1383693']
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NUT-FILE-FITS-STRATOCASTER-TELECASTER-PICKUP-NECK-BODY-/190578169933?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c5f58184d"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c5f58184d[/url]

In fact they work so well someone is selling them as nut files
[/quote]
I notice he's selling them BIN for £2.99 + £2.99 p&p. That's £4.14 more than the total cost of the one Skank linked to. Not too shabby a business if he's sold the 800+ he suggests.

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1316861171' post='1383740']
I notice he's selling them BIN for £2.99 + £2.99 p&p. [/quote]
Funnily enough, I saw his sale first, made the connection with welders and went looking for cheaper.

TBH, they're incredibly thin and need gentle handling. When using, it's easier to take them out of the snap-case and hold the file at both ends. Alternatively, superglue them along short lengths of wooden cooking skewer for a handle / support.

For B, E and A strings, you'd definitely need to use a Foxen-esque rat-tail file, but these are good for the smaller strings that normal files won't do.

Edited September 24, 2011 by skankdelvar

[Musky]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1316880494' post='1384013']
Funnily enough, I saw his sale first, made the connection with welders and went looking for cheaper.

TBH, they're incredibly thin and need gentle handling. When using, it's easier to take them out of the snap-case and hold the file at both ends. Alternatively, superglue them along short lengths of wooden cooking skewer for a handle / support.

For B, E and A strings, you'd definitely need to use a Foxen-esque rat-tail file, but these are good for the smaller strings that normal files won't do.
[/quote]
Yeah, I can't really fault his listing; it's almost painfully honest.

Like you I'd have been searching ebay for welder's tools as well. I can't help but think he might be selling a few more if he just said they were intended for maintaining steelworker's tools.

[Beer of the Bass]

From experience with the torch cleaning files, they're fine for minor shaping on a plastic nut (like lowering existing slots or changing string gauge), but a bit useless if making a nut from an unslotted blank, particularly with harder materials like bone. So they're useful to have around, but don't totally replace the fancy nut files.

[lonestar]

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1316886750' post='1384108']
Yeah, I can't really fault his listing; it's almost painfully honest.

Like you I'd have been searching ebay for welder's tools as well. I can't help but think he might be selling a few more if he just said they were intended for maintaining steelworker's tools.
[/quote]
Like these http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icIwKaci3MI