Electric Guitars

[randballen]

I have an SX neck that I want to replace the nut. Is there a good pre-slotted nut that Stew Mac or someone else carries? What measuremnets do I need to make sure that I get the right size, shape etc? Finally, is there a place that I can review what steps to take to insure a good replacement job, DIY? Thanks.

[VanR]

Get a good ruler. One that measures to 16th of an inch and then go to www.graphtech.com. I ain't sure but those SX strats are probably 1 5/8" nuts and I recommend graphite.

[shoeless]

Originally posted by randballen
I have an SX neck that I want to replace the nut. Is there a good pre-slotted nut that Stew Mac or someone else carries? What measuremnets do I need to make sure that I get the right size, shape etc? Finally, is there a place that I can review what steps to take to insure a good replacement job, DIY? Thanks.

This is waay to coincidental. I was just about to order a nut from Graphtec for my SX strat. Since I haven't ordered or installed it yet, I don't know how it will come out, but I'll let you know what I'm planning to do.

I had an exchange with another forumite (jrfan) a while back about this. He installed a Graphtech Tusq nut (PQ-5010-00) on his SX Tele. According to him, the string spacing was perfect although he did have to file the back of the nut a bit to get the height right. I asked him about the nut slot and he told me it is flat underneath the nut.

So, I was going to order the graphite equivalent (PT-5010-00) directly from graphtech.com, cause I can't find anyone else who carries that model. Their price is right around $10 with $3 shipping (US mail). I was going to double check the measurements tonight, which means I probably won't get it till late next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

[randballen]

Thanks shoeless. Let me know what you find out.

[k4df4l]

I really like graphtech nuts and have ordered from them directly several times...very nice folks on the phone.

[jrfan]

Here is a pic of the nut installed on my SX.

You will have to do some final shaping( height and width) but no
big deal.
You may find the high e string a little close to the edge of the fret.
That's because the frets are beveled in too far from the factory.
It may not be a problem on yours but it was on mine.
Good Luck.

[randballen]

Thanks for the pic. Yeah, the frets are cut in a bit to much on mine when I first got it. I rounded the edges a bit, and that helped. Not such a drastic drop off from the top of the fret to the bevel.

[LaXu]

Another vote for Graphtech nuts. On my Morgan strat all I had to do was take off the old one and put in the new one, didn't even have to shape the slots.

[freeridstylee]

yup i put a graphtech on when i had an sx. Very good upgrade worth every cent!

[randballen]

Well I have ordered a Graphtech nut. Anybody care to tell me the best and safest way to remove the old nut and secure the new? Never done this change out before. Thanks.

[LaXu]

I usually just put a knife tip under the nut from the side and then turn the knife slightly. Do that on both sides and the nut should come out nice and clean. Then just clean the slot from any glue residue and glue in a new one with a couple of drops of any glue that's not super powerful (so that the nut can be removed easily.

When I fitted a Graphtech nut on my strat copy I didn't even bother glueing it, the slot was rather tight so the nut stayed down nicely by itself.

[chiro972]

Originally posted by jrfan
Here is a pic of the nut installed on my SX.

You will have to do some final shaping( height and width) but no
big deal.
You may find the high e string a little close to the edge of the fret.
That's because the frets are beveled in too far from the factory.
It may not be a problem on yours but it was on mine.
Good Luck.

Nice flame on that headstock!! Not bad for a $100 guitar! I wish the frets weren't beveled like that though. I'm thinking of putting a different neck on mine.