Is the nut just wearing out?

[kjrocks]

I've had my Strat for over ten years now and for the last year or so I 've noticed that my low E is starting to buzz more and more and it seems to have lost alot of sustain and just sounds weak. If I tweak the truss it makes it better but raises the action a little more than I want up the board. I assume after a gazillion string changes the slot could just be worn down some. This is the first time I've had a guitar this long and played this much so I havent run across this. Is it time for a new nut, is that typical after lots of use?

[Aceman]

I know my nuts are wearing out and I'm losing sustain

[Gearjoneser]

Go to the Vault and see my thread about 'nutwork using no files.' I discovered a trick that re-seats the nut, and it's so easy a 10 yr old could do it.

[kjrocks]

I know my nuts are wearing out and I'm losing sustain

I knew someone would chime in like that I tried so hard to keep the thread title from being such an easy target too.

[kjrocks]

Go to the Vault and see my thread about 'nutwork using no files.' I discovered a trick that re-seats the nut, and it's so easy a 10 yr old could do it.

I remember that thread,and its a good tip, but how does that help if its too low?

[frankfalbo]

Just to clarify, you are talking only about the open E note, right? It wasn't clear from your first post if you're talking about open, or the first few frets. Nut height is obviously irrelevant after the first fret. A quick fix to raise the nut slot is to file some powder (same material) into the slot and drip thin CA in there, then re-file the slot.

[Gearjoneser]

If it's truly worn out, and a slot is too low, you may be best off paying a tech to put a new bone or fake bone nut on there, and reslotting it. Frank's solution will work, if you can do a good job of it.

A new nut and setup should be around $55.

[kjrocks]

If it's truly worn out, and a slot is too low, you may be best off paying a tech to put a new bone or fake bone nut on there, and reslotting it. Frank's solution will work, if you can do a good job of it.

A new nut and setup should be around $55.

Yeah , this is what I'm thinking. For now its still playable and bareable , I'll just wait and see over more time.

[tone?]

like the other guy said. Is it the OPEN E??? or fretted notes??

cause if it is fretted notes it most likely needs a fret level after all those years of wear, which would be totally understandable after 10 years of playing.

If it is th open E than it is most probably the nut.

[kjrocks]

like the other guy said. Is it the OPEN E??? or fretted notes??

cause if it is fretted notes it most likely needs a fret level after all those years of wear, which would be totally understandable after 10 years of playing.

If it is th open E than it is most probably the nut.

After both Frank and you have mentioned it, I realize its not just the open string but up the board too , about half way. Fret level, eh? Never considered that, these frets are seriously worn too. Flat spots under the most the strings. So that can cause some buzz? Yeah I can see how it would do that.
Is it a relatively simple job for most techs or should I be choosey with who does it?

[JeffB]

A new nut and setup should be around $55.

Not in this part of the country, try adding a "one" before the first "five"