PRS string nut installation

[John Beef]

I'm probably going to replace the nut on my Mira. Last year I strung it up with 13s for a while and had to open up the nut slots for the thick strings. Then I put 11s on it again and the A string is just cut a bit too low. I get some buzzing on the 1st fret.

So, for those of you who bought string nuts from the PRS Store, did you install them yourself? Were any modifications needed, such as sanding down the bottom or anything? Getting 2 for $28 is a way better deal than going to a tech and getting one for $50 or whatever it costs these days.

 

[tomsamuels]

-Sand the bottom of the new nut a little
-score the finish around the existing nut with a razor
-lay a block of wood on the fretboard, butting it up against the nut. Tap the other end of the board with a hammer until the nut comes loose (usually one light whack makes it pop off)
-lay a line of wood glue on the back of the new nut, line it up and string up the guitar. The tension will hold the nut in place and insure it gets glued in the right position.

 

[rugerpc]

funny, I never thought I would be thoughtfully and respectfully reading nut instructions.....

I love this place.....

 

[John Beef]

Yeah, truthfully I really struggled with my first post, it would have been way to easy to add all sorts of innuendos. I really wanted to stick to the facts but my brain screams out what my dad calls "Boy Scout Humor". I like to think my sense of humor is more sophisticated now than when I was 13, but I still find almost all the same things funny.

In any case... I never cease to be amazed by how the most minuscule adjustments can have profound effects on a stringed instrument. In this case, I popped off the stock nut (innuendo omitted) and cut a shim out of a piece of manila paper from a file folder. From what I can tell based on two minutes of googling, these are roughly .009 inches thick. The shim is smaller than the footprint of the nut, fits under there and basically disappears. I thought I might need two or three but started with one, put all the strings on, tuned up and guess what? No more buzzing on the 1st fret. None whatsoever. The open A was basically unplayable it was buzzing so bad. Now, not a peep. The other strings don't feel too high, and I can't say I noticed a change in the tone though I know some folks will say a new nut is the right way to go.

So, when I have more spare cash I will order one, but for now, the guitar is totally playable and all it took was 10 minutes and a small fraction of a piece of paper.

 

[tomsamuels]

Since it was only the one slot, you could have also mixed super glue with pencil lead to rebuild the nut slot back up, then*filed*it back down to proper height.

 

[Felix]

^That's a great reality hack.