Really high quality guitar maintenance book

[voyage]

Sheesh, the Stewmac individual diamond nut files are $69-82. The Music Nomads are also diamond and cost $15.99 each.

[Spook410]

Sheesh, the Stewmac individual diamond nut files are $69-82. The Music Nomads are also diamond and cost $15.99 each.

Yea. Stewmac. They have awesome tools and if you were a young person opening a guitar lutherie shop to work in for the rest of your life, totally worth it. To do a few nuts, however, all you need is a set of basic nut files in the right width for all the string gauges you need to cover. I would look on Amazon and find some with great reviews and a reasonable price. Though someone here might have some good ones to recommend.

[Bobby Timmons]

I want my precious archtop not quite that low. I will take it to him, but I also would really like to learn this myself, I have a Squire with a twisted neck I can practice with. But I need the formula.

I told you the formula. If you want it medium high, use 0.018" - 0.022" staggered e to E.

Some people talk about slot depth, some slot height, some the clearance between 1st fret and string bottom when depressing at fret 3 (between 2 and 3). I guess I can measure my Schecter.

No. Don't measure with the string pressed down. That's less accurate and often sets the height too low. Just measure between the top of the 1st fret and the bottom of the string with it resting normally and your guitar set up the way you want it.

They list the sizes as .045" / .065"/ .075" / .085" / .105" / .130. I play .011 through .050. Does that seem like the correct sizes of file for those medium light strings?

Good lord no. You get the file that is the same size or barely larger than the string you use.

[sgosnell]

I prefer files that are about the same size as the string. When you make the slot, it will be a little wider than the file, because you will inevitably wobble a little. The proper size of the slot is a couple of thousandths wider than the string that will go through it, but the exact size isn't critical, as long as the slot is wider than the string. A few thou of slop is okay. It's possible to use a file that is a few thou smaller than the slot needs to be, and use side pressure to enlarge the slot. Practice helps. But ideally, buy files that are about the same size as the strings you intend to use. I would not recommend the StewMac tools because they are much more expensive than necessary. I've used a lot of different files over the years, and I prefer the Music Nomad files, because they're sort of reasonably priced, and can be removed from the handle easily to give more fine control in situations where that's needed. But whatever works, and is on hand. Feeler gauges work fairly well, and are good enough for one-off jobs. Use a Dremel or file, and cut small teeth on one edge of the gauges, doing all at the same time, and you have nut files for any size you need. Not perfect, but if you only need to cut one nut, it works.

I did not mean Twdfrd. He has a YouTube channel, but anyone with a smartphone can have that. I meant the site I posted above, frets.com. Frank Ford was one of the most respected repairmen in the field, and his site explains this in detail, with both text and good photos.

[voyage]

I told you the formula. If you want it medium high, use 0.018" - 0.022" staggered e to E.

No. Don't measure with the string pressed down. That's less accurate and often sets the height too low. Just measure between the top of the 1st fret and the bottom of the string with it resting normally and your guitar set up the way you want it.

Good lord no. You get the file that is the same size or barely larger than the string you use.

Excellent, thank you. I'm catching on very slowly.

[voyage]

I prefer files that are about the same size as the string. When you make the slot, it will be a little wider than the file, because you will inevitably wobble a little. The proper size of the slot is a couple of thousandths wider than the string that will go through it, but the exact size isn't critical, as long as the slot is wider than the string. A few thou of slop is okay. It's possible to use a file that is a few thou smaller than the slot needs to be, and use side pressure to enlarge the slot. Practice helps. But ideally, buy files that are about the same size as the strings you intend to use. I would not recommend the StewMac tools because they are much more expensive than necessary. I've used a lot of different files over the years, and I prefer the Music Nomad files, because they're sort of reasonably priced, and can be removed from the handle easily to give more fine control in situations where that's needed. But whatever works, and is on hand. Feeler gauges work fairly well, and are good enough for one-off jobs. Use a Dremel or file, and cut small teeth on one edge of the gauges, doing all at the same time, and you have nut files for any size you need. Not perfect, but if you only need to cut one nut, it works.

I did not mean Twdfrd. He has a YouTube channel, but anyone with a smartphone can have that. I meant the site I posted above, frets.com. Frank Ford was one of the most respected repairmen in the field, and his site explains this in detail, with both text and good photos.

Thanks a lot. That answers my remaining question, which is what to do when there are no files in the same size as your strings. I may end up not buying files because almost all of the strings are smaller than the closest file at music nomad. I have two sets of feeler gauges, and a couple of good Nicholson slim taper triangular files. Or maybe I could just start playing different string sizes to match the files, haha. Or just let my luthier do it. I'll ask him how he would handle this. But I feel like I can give this a try on my Squire with the twisted neck. Plus the local pawn shop has a lot of guitars that need neck work that I can get for $50.

I really appreciate all the help you guys and getting me in the ballpark of knowing how to approach this. Now to pop over to Frets.com and check it out. Thanks again!

[Bobby Timmons]

You're welcome. I'm sure you'll get it now. There's nothing to worry about as long as you practice on a pos Squier. You can always fill the slots as many times as you want on the Squier nut if you go too low. Or practice replacing the nut. On a nice guitar you want to get it right without filling.

[murrayatuptown]

Cool on the Hideo Kamimoto book.

I just found a used copy of the 1992 (latest I think) edition for USD11.66. I use AbeBooks.com. That one is no longer available. Sorry.

[voyage]

Cool on the Hideo Kamimoto book.

I just found a used copy of the 1992 (latest I think) edition for USD11.66. I use AbeBooks.com. That one is no longer available. Sorry.

Thanks, I ordered one from Amazon. That way, if it doesn't have what I need I can return and order one of the other good suggestions here.

ALTHOUGH, the other day I was going to return something to Amazon. I usually take it to UPS store, and Amazon was charging money to take it back to UPS store or Kohl's. But they were not charging to take it back to Staples. I've heard they were going to start charging for returns this could be the beginning.