Wonky nut from Warmoth and what to do about it

[sdeeg]

I was finally able to grab some time to do guitar assembling and went to work on the Meadowhawk I ordered on release day. Besides the usual fussing over the setup, playing with different knobs, getting used to completely new to me pickups, etc. I've been overall happy with the results. The T90s are something I still need to figure out if I like, but it's nice to have something different to play with.

The problem I'm having is that I noticed the string slots in the nut cut by W don't seem to be pointing in the right direction. When I've cuts nuts in the past I've always tried to point the slot as well as I can toward the side of the string post where it'll be winding. If it's a sharp bend I'll go for a bit of a middle ground to split the difference and have friction on both ends of the slot. It's a little hard to see in the photo, but some of these are so off they point past the wrong side of the string post. The result is a bit of a zig-zag through the nut with all the binding you would expect.

Am I crazy here or is this thing totally borked? I can't think of any good reason to have slots cut in this way, but I'm always willing to listen and learn if there is one. I'm assuming the only real solution here is to make a completely new nut. Any recommendations on how to get the old one off without jacking up the neck?

 

[aarontunes]

I encountered the same issue on the one I recently built for myself. I straightened them out with some nut files, and it was pretty simple and quick to do so. That's probably your best/easiest/quickest fix.

However, if this is a systemic thing then it does need to be looked at on our end. I will bring it up at my next meeting.

 

[sdeeg]

One bad thing happening is a damn shame
Second time it happens is a hell of a coincidence
Third time is enemy action

You just need one more data point.

How did you manage the the filing? Did you widen the end towards the tuning machines? Cut a new path? I was considering doing the same, but was worried things could get sloppy and it's going to be a little tricky to not cut the slot deeper. Certainly the quickest/easiest path though, and I'll try it. I'm also certain it'll bug me and I'll eventually want to make a new nut anyway, but I can kick that can down the road.

OT - the Dinkycaster is still on the list for building. My ideas are going to involve some considerable modifications so I'm really taking my time to make a plan so I get it at least half-assed right the first time.

 

[aarontunes]

Did you widen the end towards the tuning machines?

 

[WrongPickguard]

One bad thing happening is a damn shame
Second time it happens is a hell of a coincidence
Third time is enemy action

You just need one more data point.

How did you manage the the filing? Did you widen the end towards the tuning machines? Cut a new path? I was considering doing the same, but was worried things could get sloppy and it's going to be a little tricky to not cut the slot deeper. Certainly the quickest/easiest path though, and I'll try it. I'm also certain it'll bug me and I'll eventually want to make a new nut anyway, but I can kick that can down the road.

OT - the Dinkycaster is still on the list for building. My ideas are going to involve some considerable modifications so I'm really taking my time to make a plan so I get it at least half-assed right the first time.

I have the same thing with the nut on my Meadowhawk neck, too. Can I be the third data point? I'll probably try to file the slots, mess it up, get angry, then buy a new nut.

 

[sdeeg]

... I'll probably try to file the slots, mess it up, get angry, then buy a new nut.

I've already ordered a new blank (I had other thing I was buying anyway so why not). But, I'll likely just bitch about the current state of things for awhile, eventually try filing the slots, be annoyed with the results, bitch about that for awhile, make frown faces at the nut blank as it taunts and mocks me, then finally make a new nut.