First Build : Springsteen Telecaster

[FrankenWashie]

Just thought I would chuck an update here.

I've been trying to not be to overwhelmed reading the build guide that PitBull have kindly put up, purchased the black pickguard to replace the stock white one, and have printed and cut out a template for the headstock (also got the old man to lend me his jigsaw for the bulk material removal haha).

Just a quick question I was hoping for a little guidance on. I got the bone nut upgrade when originally purchasing the kit, wanted to ask how others have gone replacing the stock plastic? anything I should be cautious of? or any tips for clean removal and replacement?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Rowdy (may we call you Rowdy?)

First, check that the nut is glued in, if not, its safe to probably just gently pull it out with blunt nose pliers or nippers. If you don't damage it then you can compare it to the bone nut and match widths, height etc.
If it is glued in, then I have usually proceeded as below, VERY carefully

Take some measurements to get rough idea of how close your replacement is to your existing plastic one. Take note of the string spacing if your bone version hasn't got the string slots cut.

When you've got those details, take a marker or a scriber and mar/scribe a line down the center of the existing plastic nut (across the width of the neck)
With a fine bladed saw (A Fret saw is ideal if you have one) cut straight down that line until you are almost through the nut, but leave a small amount of material at the bottom of your cut.
Take a small pair of nippers and use them to collapse the nut in on itself, i.e. squeeze the two sides together into the cut. this should pull the nut away from the edges of the board.
You will need to be exceedingly careful on the Headstock side, there isn't a great deal of material on that side of the nut and if Factory has been liberal with the superglue, then you may pull out a chunk from that side. If you can prise that off the nut then you can pop it back with some superglue. With rosewood boards the chunks tend to pull clean out so they go straight back in. I've not had the same issue with maple boards though, and I've no experience with the "Blackwood" composite boards.

I hope this helps!

[hitthatrowdyy]

Hi Rowdy (may we call you Rowdy?)

Rowdy works (or Callum)

Awesome thanks for the for the advise. I'll have to check if it is glued or not (at work and cant exactly remember off the top of my head).

Another thing I read is that depending how much glue was used you could give it some light taps from the side with like a screwdriver and hammer then slide it out sideways. Is that viable or more likely to cause damage?

Thanks

[Bakersdozen]

Rowdy works (or Callum)

Awesome thanks for the for the advise. I'll have to check if it is glued or not (at work and cant exactly remember off the top of my head).

Another thing I read is that depending how much glue was used you could give it some light taps from the side with like a screwdriver and hammer then slide it out sideways. Is that viable or more likely to cause damage?

Thanks

You can also (very gently) score along the long edges of the nut where it meets the wood with a sharp fine blade, to minimise any of the wood or finish coming away or the glue taking prisoners with it. You can try lightly tapping the nut, but make sure to protect the fretboard and neck with some tape or a cloth so you don't damage it. If it doesn't come out with a gentle tap, then move onto more heavier handed techniques as FW has mentioned above.