Make a new guitar nut.
Mark out the string spacing.
File the string slots to depth.
Improve action & intonation.
 
A luthier tool system that simplifies guitar nut making and string spacing. The string spacing is compensated by a proportional increase between adjacent strings from treble to bass.
 
Please see the Nut Replacement Video for a short demo of the tools application.
 
6-STRING GUITAR VERSION
This version is for 6-String Spacings: 34.6mm - 44.4mm (15 increments)
 
3-options are available:
7.25" / 9.5" / 10"
12" / 14" / 16"
17" / 20" / Flat
 
Additional Profile plates are available separately to increase the range of fretboard radii if needed.
 
Typical Use:
6-String Electric Guitar
12-String Electric Guitar
6-String Acoustic Guitar
12-String Acoustic Guitar
 
Contents:
Guitar Nut & Saddle Vice (also available separately).
Guitar Nut Top Profile Template.
Guitar Nut String Action Template.
Fretboard Radius Gauge.
6-String Regular Guitar - Nut String Spacing Guide.
6-String Small Guitar - Nut String Spacing Guide.
String Position Marker Saw.
String Spacing Diagrams.
 
COMPENSATED STRING SPACING:
With uniform/equal string spacing, the space in between the strings decreases towards the bass side. This can be quite significant for adjacent roundwound and heavy gauge strings.
 
With compensated spacing, the string spacing is incrementally increased so that the space in-between adjacent strings is similar across the fretboard.
 
To get the best spacing for your guitar, we recommend setting the overall string spacing to the maximum that the guitar will allow. A small increase without encroaching on the fret chamfers is often achievable.
 
This system is accurate and repeatable. A specially made string position marker and guiding template ensure the strings are precisely positioned along the nut. This avoids any discrepancies with individual hand marking out of each slot as all of the slots are cut in the same setting.
 
The most unique feature of this tool is its comparison of the instrument. The jig is set up directly from the guitar.  Different string spacings can be easily experimented with and fretboard offcuts make ideal test pieces for practice nuts.
 
Should you need to do so, a precise re-make/copy of the nut is simple & quick with the jig already setup for the guitar.
 
GUITAR NUT & SADDLE VICE (Included)
A feature of the vice is its precise comparison of the fretboard nut slot depth. This allows nut shaping, string spacing and nut filing to be accurately performed off the instrument.
 
The comparison is achieved by a simple arrangement using two sliding plates that are used to gauge the depth of the nut slot relative to the top of the fretboard (similar to using a vernier depth gauge). After gauging, the plates are then locked together creating a datum for the nut to sit on.
 
The vice body has two location pins for locating the jaw. The top of the vice jaws simulate the radius of the fretboard and provides a reference for the nut height / protrusion above the fretboard.
 
The setup allows the nut to be removed and easily replaced in exactly the same position in the vice every time – in between any checks necessary on the guitar. The nut is always seated on its underside (datum) and there is no fiddling to adjust the height in the vice. This is beneficial as the nut may be quite small in height with only a small area to clamp against.
 
The nut seating plate has two different ends which can be easily swapped around - a flat end for standard nuts and a curved end for fender style curved bottom nuts.
 
The vice is slim in design with chamfered jaws that provide good access for shaping and filing slots. The jig is designed for use in a bench vice for comfortable working height.
 
Note
Although this version is primarily intended for 6-string instruments, it provides a range of additional spacings as follows:
 
4-String : 20.4mm-27.1mm (17 increments)
5-String : 27.4mm-35.8mm (16 increments)
7-String : 41.8mm-52.7mm (14 increments)
8-String : 49.2mm-61.0mm (13 increments)
 
Please see the Guitar Nut Replacement Information Page for further details on using the jig.
 
RELATED PRODUCTS:
Please see the Product Category  page for related items including an extended range of string spacings and an alternative nut file system compatible with the jig.