Where to buy pre cut nut

underdog

I have a Harley Benton explorer and the nut broke years ago, snapped by the high E string so doesn't hold it in place.

Where is the best place to buy one from that's going to be as close to a drop in and play it fit as it can be? I think it's 43mm in width, have to find my calipers to measure it tonight.

rossi

I found that Tusq virtually drop in on the  parts casters  and Fenders I have

ICBM

I would go for Tusq too - it's self-lubricating to some extent, and also tough rather than brittle… two things that matter on an Explorer as you've already found .

zepp76

+1 for Tusq too, put one in my old Strat a few years ago and it did a sterling job.

underdog

Thank you, I presume just get some accurate measurements of existing nut and order one that matches 

equalsql

At a glance the title to this thread looks rather rude  

grungebob

underdog said:

Thank you, I presume just get some accurate measurements of existing nut and order one that matches 

Make sure you buy one with a flat not curved bottom too (assuming yours had/has flat)

robgilmo

I got mine from a local guitar shop.

underdog

robgilmo said:

I got mine from a local guitar shop.No chance of that around my town, there isn't a guitar shop.

Halikus

Another +1 for tusq.  I replaced the nut on my Epi LP last night and was pleasantly surprised at the tonal improvment (went from buzzy and thin sounding to thick and smooth) and the ease of cutting the new slots to the correct depth.  You will need to have the nut slots cut as theres not a hope a new nut will just drop in and be correct.

FelineGuitars

I can possibly help if I have dimensions as I keep Tusq nuts in stock - you will still have some cutting to do though

underdog

FelineGuitars said:

I can possibly help if I have dimensions as I keep Tusq nuts in stock - you will still have some cutting to do though

Cool, I will give it a measure when I get home thanks.

Ancient_Mariner

I've had good results with Graphtec types, but there's always some sanding on the bottom to be done to bring the height down. I normally do this with sand paper, placing a builders rule on the paper to provide a 90 degree guide to keep the bottom of the nut square with the front face. Mark the height you need to go down to from the old nut, then as you get close, keep trying the new nut in place, rather than just relying on the mark you made.

olafgarten

Do you guys know anything about Graphtech NuBone? I have one on my Vintage which sort of needs a new nut. I'm just curious as to how it compares to TUSQ. 

SteveRobinson

It's the cheaper end of the Graphtech range, but still okay.

doogz84

Many have said so already, but I replaced the broken nut on the Epi Explorer I acquired a few years ago with a "Black Tusq XL"

Dead easy, almost perfect fit, very easy to sand, self lubricating, and cost me about 7 quid to buy.

underdog

doogz84 said:

Many have said so already, but I replaced the broken nut on the Epi Explorer I acquired a few years ago with a "Black Tusq XL"

Dead easy, almost perfect fit, very easy to sand, self lubricating, and cost me about 7 quid to buy.

I just have to remember to measure the old nut at some point