Is upgrading the nut a DIY or do you need it done by a tech? And is this the right part?
GRAPH TECH BLACK TUSQ XL SLOTTED NUT PRS® SE GUITAR 43X6mm PT-6643-00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRAPH-TECH-...115?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4d0aa1ce83
Regarding locking tuners, it looks like these are a "drop in" for the SE - is that correct and are there any other models recommended?
http://www.amazon.com/Grover-406C-Rotomatic-Locking-Machine/dp/B0007Y3XGW
That's the nut that most people use for a PRS. According to the specs it's the correct size for a PRS but I wasn't quite convinced. This is how it looked once I installed it in my SE C24:
As you can see there's a hairline gap at the back and sides. Because th nut and the headstock / neck is jet black the lighter coloured naked wood peeks through a touch. I could also feel it. Also strings weren't sitting in the whole slot which suggested the nut slot angle didn't quite match to the headstock angle. The nut did it's job fine and I had no tuning issues but those minor issues were enough for me to take it to a tech.
My tech used a precut nut designed for another guitar. Not sure which one but this one was a touch wider and deeper so he was able to sand the back and sides down for a perfectly flush fit. It looks like he went from the top and re-cut the slots correctly for this guitar.
As it turns out it's pretty easy to install your own nut (Providing it's pre-cut).
Use an exacto knife or similar to carefully score around the edges of the nut where it contacts the guitar. This will prevent chipping of the finish,
Place a block against the nut at the fretboard end and tap the nut towards the headstock. The nut (In theory) should just pop off. It may take a tiny sliver of wood with it but that's not a problem.
Use a blade or small file to remove any glue residue but be careful not to remove wood.
I recommend keeping the old strings on the guitar but loosely by the sides out of the way.
Get some feeler guages, various grades of sandpaper but not too rough.
Placing even pressure on the new nut, carefully sand the bottom down. I recommend placing the sandpaper on a perfectly flat surface.
Don't sand too much. Periodically place the nut on the guitar and string up some of the strings and tune to pitch. Use the feeler guages to measure the the gap between bottom of string and top of first fret. I can't remember the exact recommendations but once done you should be able to press the string down at the third fret and have a tiny gap above the first and bottom of string.
If the strings touch the first whilst pressing down at the third you've gone to far and will need to start again. if the strings are too high you'll wind up with intonation issues.
It's certainly worth giving it a shot on your own. I did two guitars. An old cheapie as a test which worked perfectly and the PRS SE which would have been fine if it had a bit more width and depth.
By all accounts the Tusq nuts are supposed to e a little deeper/wider/taller so you can sand down for a perfect fit. My experience with that part number was that wasn't the case except in terms of height.
Others have used that exact part and been perfectly happy so...
roud:
