Robbo's MB-1 build

[Rockfactor]

So the high E string touches the first fret to the point it just goes thunk and the low E and A string rattle on the first fret a bit which I think I can fix enough by raising the action a little bit.

I reshaped the bottom of the nut to make it fit closer up the the fretboard, as there was a bit of a gap, as in the nut was leaning back a bit, touching at the bottom but not at the top. In doing so I've obviously lowered where the strings sit.

I was originally going to shim or replace the nut, but i'm thinking of trying the super glue and baking soda trick.

Has anyone tried this or an I wasting my time?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Robbo

[WeirdBits]

Super glue and baking soda (or bone filings) works. Fill the string slot, let it set, and then re-cut it. But, it sounds a bit like the whole nut may have been taken down too far. How are the other strings/slots and is it in tune over the first few frets? Pics would be good too to show how the nut is actually sitting.

[Rockfactor]

The D-G-B strings aren't too bad, tuning is fine, intonation is fine, so I'll have a tinker tonight and grab some pics and maybe a video tonight to help explain a bit.

Thanks, Robbo

[Rockfactor]

I have taken a photo and made a few short videos to show the rattles in the strings, mostly the high E.

I have raised the saddle on the low E side a bit but could maybe go a little more if necessary.

The photo doesn't show too much



I can take more if necessary.

Hopefully these clips help (sorry about the face I plulled, playing doesn't come naturally to me )

https://youtu.be/kByspADoGMw

https://youtu.be/Vh2r-1R7trk

https://youtu.be/9d9-TOvRw6A

Do I need to replace the nut or should I try the baking soda trick?

Thanks all.

[Simon Barden]

Nice work. Just a shame about the nut but I'm always taking nut slots too low and having to repair or replace.

It's a new guitar, so I'd replace the nut rather than try and fix it. Superglue and baking soda can work well, but I find it a bit hit-or-miss as to whether it goes hard all the way through, even when using the thin glue, and when filing down again you can hit a patch of unglued baking powder. It's also not as easy to polish the slots and keep the strings from sticking. These days I've ordered a lot of cheap Chinese bone nuts from eBay and have them waiting in case I need to replace a nut. It's almost as quick to do so than it is to repair a slot.

[Andy40]

Hey mate, you can hear that high E hitting one of the frets. It only needs to be a horses hair above the first fret when depressed at the 3rd and you would be right.

If that is a plastic nut, it has no business being on your awesome build anyway. I'd knock that out and replace it with a bone nut

[Rockfactor]

Thanks lads, been away a while getting some skin cancers removed.

I will replace the nut because the guitar has turned out better than expected.

I won't use bone though (I'm one of those vegan weirdos) so I might track done a Graphtec one and start from scratch.

Thanks again...

[wazkelly]

Suggest buying pre cut ones otherwise you may need to buy a few whilst you practice getting the right string slot depth.

[Rockfactor]

Wise words Waz, but they had no preslotted ones in stock and I assume you still need to massage them anyway, as each fretboard would be different thicknesses etc.

At around $30 delivered (I did get the one impregnated with PTFE) I'll sneak up on it real slow like

It's all good practice for when I fully handmade a guitar.

I am going to order a new kit some time this week. I've had it picked for a while but now I'm second guessing myself.

Cheers, Robbo

[wazkelly]

Hi Robbo, know what you mean. I stalked the PBG site for months before placing my first order and the choices have only increased since then. Are you thinking another funky shape or something more conventional?