Ian's TLA-1 Build

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Originally Posted by TC1600

Thanks for the input and advice, much appreciated. Assuming these use the standard Tele scale length of 648mm, the distance from nut to first fret should be approximately 36.4mm, which it is, and 1st to second fret measurement is also correct, so by that the nut placement is where it should be. Checking the nut height by fretting at the third, it is definitely too high, whether it's enough to make that much distance I'm not sure, but it's a very good place to start. I've read you can file down nut slots by using an ols string, I imagine this would work for wound strings but not sure about plain. Time for some more research!

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You can file slots with strings, but dont use deep slots in the nut. It will cause the strings to bind when tuning and you'll end up in a worse place.
The string in the slot should be at about 2/3 the string depth.
If the nut is too tall after getting the slots right, then take some off the top of the nut to effectively make the slots shallower and the nut not as tall.

See here:

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online...lot_Depth.html

Ian instead of lowering the slots it's more uniform way to sand the bottom of the nut flat. Should be able to do that with the plastic nut, don't think the TL and ST ones are hollow as they are quite thin

Yep agreed, totally counter-productive making the nut slots deeper. As Wokks said, take it off the bottom. Just make sure to score some straight lines on the bottom of the nut to ensure you're taking it off evenly, and keep checking your height in the slot so as not to take too much off.

Edit: provided those stock plastic nuts not a radiused bottom of course, I can't remember off hand and can't be arsed going out to the shed to look. Someone might be able to answer that one.

Cheers, I was about to ask the same question RE: nut/string height. I'll try and reduce height using a flat (fine) file.

I'll have a play with the stock plastic nut, I was thinking of putting some coarse sandpaper (say 80 grit) on a flat surface and work the bottom of the nut on that. Saves clamping it in a vice and trying to get a flat surface with a file, if I wreck it at least I haven't ruined a good one.

I spent some time this afternoon trying to sort the nut, I managed to detach it without damaging anything, and removed some material from the bottom until it seemed about the right height sitting in the slot with the strings on, I have it glued and clamped now, I will see what it is like tomorrow after work. It seemed to be a bit better before, but until it's glued down I won't be sure.

One other issue I seem to have is the bridge isn't in quite the right spot, it's a bit close to the neck as the low E saddle is wound back almost as far as it will go and is just in the right position, it would be good to have gone a bit further back to see how that affected it as the first fret intonation seemed to improve as I wound it back. The 12th fret intonation seems ok but I might have been able to have gone a touch further without affecting it too much. Maybe down the track I will move the bridge, I will need to plug the holes as it only needs to be shifted a few millimetres, but that shouldn't be a problem. All part of the learning experience I guess. But the main priority is to get it in tune right up and down the neck first.