SG-2 by Nitroburner1000

[Simon Barden]

From a theoretical point of view, the minimum nut height above the fretboard would be 1st fret height + 0.02" (for Stewmacs' recommended bottom E clearance) + (Bottom E string thickness/2), for a nut where the nut grooves were the minimum of half a string's height. Working in both mm and inches, an example would be a fret height of say 1.5mm/0.059", a bottom E clearance of 0.51mm/0.02" and a half bottom E string height (of a 0.054" string) of 0.67mm/0.027", giving a total of 2.69mm/0.106". Rounding up for convenience,that's 2.7mm or 0.11" above the fretboard for this example.

The high E side would need less fret clearance, so around 0.25mm/0.01" and the slot height need only be say 0.18mm/0.005", giving a total minimum height above fretboard of 1.93mm/0.074". Rounding up a bit, that's 2mm/0.08".

Rather than the minimum half a string's depth, I prefer almost a full string's depth for my nut slots, to help stop strings popping out under string bending near the nut. So I'd end up with a slightly higher nut.

This is all theoretical, because depending upon the way your neck is set in terms of relief, you may need a bit more height above the 1st fret, or you may get away with slightly less. Which is why setting the nut slot heights should be done after setting the neck relief and the bridge height, not before. It's also why I'd prefer to cut the nut slots first, then lower the height of the nut by filing, sanding and polishing to suit. However, this method should give you a rough idea of how much lower the overall nut height can be than you have now.

It may be easier to reduce the overall nut height first, when it's off the guitar, to something approaching the calculated value, then cut the slots to depth and then file the nut height down to suit, resulting on a bit less on-guitar work.

Also note that if you are setting the guitar up mainly for side playing, then you'd want higher nut slots to help stop the strings touching the frets when playing near the nut. Raising the bridge/saddles won't raise the string height much at the first few frets.

[nitroburner1000]

Have a look at the plastic one it is replacing as a base reference starting point. There is probably something on the net somewhere about factory settings if you feel you need to go down that path.

Scratch plate turned out looking really good. Just wondering what you have planned for the 6 holes drilled on the front considering 3 way switch has been relocated as has the output socket?

I will recheck but i think i already did that and they seemed of similar size but when i ran an e string along it it seems awefully high. ill do some more measurements and get back to you.
Thanks for the comment on the scratchplate, it turned out better than i thought.
The far left switch is volume, the next 2 are on-on-on switches for pup separation, the last in row is neck vol, the bottom 2 are tones.

[nitroburner1000]

Great job Nitro!

Sent from Android N

Cheers andy

[Tweaky]

The new graphite nut seems very high, at least compared to the strat so i will have to resize it i think.

Attachment 15265

Edit..... Does anyone know offhand how high from the fretboard the nut is supposed to be?

I've just measure my very recently purchased MIJ Tokai SG., which is the best setup I've ever had on a new guitar, and I won't be changing it.

The first fret height is .88mm
Height of nut at
Low E 2.35mm
A - 2.25mm
D -2.03m
G - 1.85
B - 1.77mm
High E - 1.55mm

All the above measurements are from fretboard to the top of the nut, they don't include the nut slot depths

[nitroburner1000]

From a theoretical point of view, the minimum nut height above the fretboard would be 1st fret height + 0.02" (for Stewmacs' recommended bottom E clearance) + (Bottom E string thickness/2), for a nut where the nut grooves were the minimum of half a string's height. Working in both mm and inches, an example would be a fret height of say 1.5mm/0.059", a bottom E clearance of 0.51mm/0.02" and a half bottom E string height (of a 0.054" string) of 0.67mm/0.027", giving a total of 2.69mm/0.106". Rounding up for convenience,that's 2.7mm or 0.11" above the fretboard for this example.

The high E side would need less fret clearance, so around 0.25mm/0.01" and the slot height need only be say 0.18mm/0.005", giving a total minimum height above fretboard of 1.93mm/0.074". Rounding up a bit, that's 2mm/0.08".

Rather than the minimum half a string's depth, I prefer almost a full string's depth for my nut slots, to help stop strings popping out under string bending near the nut. So I'd end up with a slightly higher nut.

This is all theoretical, because depending upon the way your neck is set in terms of relief, you may need a bit more height above the 1st fret, or you may get away with slightly less. Which is why setting the nut slot heights should be done after setting the neck relief and the bridge height, not before. It's also why I'd prefer to cut the nut slots first, then lower the height of the nut by filing, sanding and polishing to suit. However, this method should give you a rough idea of how much lower the overall nut height can be than you have now.

It may be easier to reduce the overall nut height first, when it's off the guitar, to something approaching the calculated value, then cut the slots to depth and then file the nut height down to suit, resulting on a bit less on-guitar work.

Also note that if you are setting the guitar up mainly for side playing, then you'd want higher nut slots to help stop the strings touching the frets when playing near the nut. Raising the bridge/saddles won't raise the string height much at the first few frets.

ok, thanks, if only i knew what you were talking about, i think newbie still applies to me.

[nitroburner1000]

I've just measure my very recently purchased MIJ Tokai SG., which is the best setup I've ever had on a new guitar, and I won't be changing it.

The first fret height is .88mm
Height of nut at
Low E 2.35mm
A - 2.25mm
D -2.03m
G - 1.85
B - 1.77mm
High E - 1.55mm

All the above measurements are from fretboard to the top of the nut, they don't include the nut slot depths

Thanks tweaky, that will prove very helpful.

[nitroburner1000]

Have a look at the plastic one it is replacing as a base reference starting point. There is probably something on the net somewhere about factory settings if you feel you need to go down that path.

Scratch plate turned out looking really good. Just wondering what you have planned for the 6 holes drilled on the front considering 3 way switch has been relocated as has the output socket?

Just found a pic that shows you the switch setup waz.

[wazkelly]

Just found a pic that shows you the switch setup waz.

Thanks Nitro. That should provide you with lots of interesting sound options to play with.

[nitroburner1000]

Thanks Nitro. That should provide you with lots of interesting sound options to play with.

Yea should do, the mini switches split the rails, and humbucker so you can have them separate or all together.

[wazkelly]

I remember listening to the demo videos and those PUP's were completely off the dial.

Can't wait to hear it.