Nut files

[webberink]

  I had my guitar tech cut me a new bone nut for one of my guitars and even after having a second go he insists in leaving the b and e strings way to high off of the first fret ... almost twice what my other guitars are.  Thats the way he likes them and I respect that BUT I like em about a credit card in depth off the first fret.  So I plan on taking them down myself.  I don't have a set of nut files.  Can anyone help me with ideas about what would work well as a nut file for the e and b string?
Dave

[unclrob]

Go to allparts and order a real set from them.They have a set thet has to file size's per file and worth the cost as I assume you will be buying more guitars that may need nut work and theres nothing better then having the right tools for the job.

[Skyver]

Very true. A good friend of mine has a set and he lets me borrow them.

[BluesMan1]

   Good idea. Dave, maybe you can politely ask your tech that since you're paying for it, could he please set it up the way you want it? Lots of pleases & thank yous, not that you don't say them, can sway some. I wouldn't touch a nut w/o the right tools, so is a good investment.
   Baffles me why a tech would set all up just the way he wants it? Don't we all have personal preferences as to how the action is? Is important esp. between flat picking & finger picking for most.
   Good luck!!

[jeremy3220]

Grobet Joint Round Edge files are expensive but make fantastic nut files. They cut a perfect diameter(none of the v shaped mess you get with some nut file sets).

[unclrob]

Once you learn how to use them you never end up with a V.Its just a matter of rolling the file and you end up with a nice round bottom fit.That said the file set Jeremy mentioned is a good way to go also.

[jeremy3220]

Once you learn how to use them you never end up with a V.Its just a matter of rolling the file and you end up with a nice round bottom fit.

I was referring to files that some supplier(s) sell that are actually V shaped.

[GA-ME]

  I had my guitar tech cut me a new bone nut for one of my guitars and even after having a second go he insists in leaving the b and e strings way to high off of the first fret ... almost twice what my other guitars are.  Thats the way he likes them and I respect that BUT I like em about a credit card in depth off the first fret.  So I plan on taking them down myself.  I don't have a set of nut files.  Can anyone help me with ideas about what would work well as a nut file for the e and b string?
Dave

Other than advising you to spring for a good set of nut files the only advice I'd give is to find a new tech that understands everyone's set up is personal.

[jeremy3220]

   
   Baffles me why a tech would set all up just the way he wants it? Don't we all have personal preferences as to how the action is?

Actually these could be very difficult questions to address as a tech. On one hand you want to please the customer on the other they may not know what they are talking about or how to communicate it.

[unclrob]

I just reread the op and just because tech doesn't like it doesn't mean he shouldn't pay attention to his client.The only time I ignore my clients is when they demand that I go to a website and do what someother tech does.Now don't get me wrong I will sometime's go to the site but just to get the number so I can call that tech and be better informed as to why they do what they do.Now I might agree or I might disagree but not until I get the facts.Other time's I just suggest that the client bring there guitar to that tech and have him/her do there work.

[webberink]

A couple of clarifications.  I live in "the great white north" and short of a lot of good folks of the like of Bob and Doug, there aint a lot of guitar techs to choose from.  I feel lucky having this guy an hours drive away.  Life six hours north of 49 is a tad more challenging when it comes to anything to do with quality guitars and guitar work.  The tech I go to is in my mind really good, and he has taught me a lot about what is good and not so good with regards to set ups etc, and he does endeavor to work with me.  We have a fundamental difference with regard to nuts thats all.  I am sure I can drive the hour and get him to do another nut file but I know the guy is really concerned about sending me down the road with a "buzz" and would not take it down as much as I would like.  So I thought I would tinker ... and the only "nut files" available in Canada are the ones the Mounties keep on you.  I was just looking for a practical equivalent for my e and b string and thot the forum crew would have one. But I guess not.
Thanks
Dave

[jeremy3220]

If by practical you mean cheap, look for a set of torch tip cleaner files. I've read about people using those for nut files.

[C-10-4-me]

If by practical you mean cheap, look for a set of torch tip cleaner files. I've read about people using those for nut files.

Those torch tip cleaners work pretty good if they are fairly new and not dulled too badly.

[Zohn]

Other than advising you to spring for a good set of nut files the only advice I'd give is to find a new tech that understands everyone's set up is personal.

...yeah and that he's supposed to provide customer service  after all, who's paying for it?- that is ridiculous  

[TrinityGuitars]

I cut the slots to .070" over the height of the first fret. This is a good starting poing. For pure fingerstyl I go flush with the frets.
Jim Holler

[webberink]

Thanks for the info Jim.  Can you explain what you mean when you say "for pure finger style I go flush with the frets".  I take it you are referring to the distance between the string and the first fret when the string is fretted at the second fret ... but I am not sure.
Dave

[TrinityGuitars]

I have made some gauges that rest on the first two frets. One has a .070" notch in it and the other no notch. You place the gauge in the slot and slid it back away from the nut. You hear a tick when the gauge falls off the slot and hits the first fret. When the tick is just gone you have your height. Using the non notched gauge leaves the slot depth the same height as the frets. I actually have the D style I built set this way at the nut and the bluegrass do no buzz it with light strings. I have a bit more neck relief to get this to work. Makes up the neck a bit harder. I have a Taylor cut a way set like this with a flat neck and .090" for the bass. Plays like butter for the acoustic electric stuff. I can be a bit buzzy if you push it pure acoustic, but that is not what I use it for.
Jim Holler

[unclrob]

Thanks for the lesson Jim.I gotta give this a try.

[webberink]

Thanks Jim,
The simple gauges you describe making seem to take all the finicky guess work out of doing a nut setup.  Neat idea. Thanks a whole bunch.
Dave

[webberink]

So I set up my nut as per Jim's instructions using a new set of torch cleaners from Canadian Tire, which was the closest thing I could find to a set of nut files in the Great White North (guitar techs please plug yer noses) and this guitar now tunes and plays wonderfully.  I am a happy man.  
Thanks forum folk
Dave