Replacing the nut on a new Yamaha

[Riverwolf]

(I tried this first on the build sub-forum to zero replies)

I used to think threads like this were just plain silly.
After 3 years of learning guitar I know that they are not silly.
My new Yamaha LS6 has a nut between 1 11/16 and 1 3/4 inches.
This bugs me enough that I don't play it.
I was sick and missed out on the return window.
How and where can I purchase a wider nut with the slots already cut?
Thanks

[leatherguy]

Try here:
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and..._Bone_Nut.html

[rodmeister]

I don't understand. Isn't the nut width determined by the fingerboard width? Or are you talking about string spacing at the nut?

[charles Tauber]

Sorry to hear that you were sick. I hope you have recovered now.

One cannot buy a drop-in precut nut that is adequate.

What is it that you were expecting a new nut will do for the nut width?

[dhalbert]

The LS6 has a 44mm nut. What's the E-to-e string spacing (center of string to center of string)? A typical 1.75" nut has a 1.5" string spacing.

I looked on the Yamaha parts order site to see if there was any dimensional info but they don't seem to list nuts for L series guitars. You have to register to even search the site.

[Riverwolf]

Members must please first forgive the fact that the average player is not a builder and does not usually know or always understand technical details.
And yes, there is plenty of fingerboard width to accommodate the extra string width on each side of the fingerboard.

Originally Posted by leatherguy

Try here:
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and..._Bone_Nut.html

I will look into this. Thank you.

Originally Posted by rodmeister

I don't understand. Isn't the nut width determined by the fingerboard width? Or are you talking about string spacing at the nut?

Yes of course. The string spacing on the LS6 is narrower than 2 other guitars of mine both of which advertise as 1.75 inches.
I do not have the correct tool other than a simple ruler to verify this.

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

Sorry to hear that you were sick. I hope you have recovered now.

One cannot buy a drop-in precut nut that is adequate.

What is it that you were expecting a new nut will do for the nut width?

I am better and thank you. I was staying with a close friend after shoulder surgery. I was hoping for the string spacing of my other 2 guitars.

Originally Posted by dhalbert

The LS6 has a 44mm nut. What's the E-to-e string spacing (center of string to center of string)? A typical 1.75" nut has a 1.5" string spacing.

Again, I do not want to quote measurements from a simple ruler.
But on a simple school type ruler the E to e string spacing measurement is less than the other two guitars that I mention.

[dhalbert]

Any nut you buy, pre-slotted or not, will need to have the slots adjusted (filed down) after installation. And probably it will need to be shaped to fit the slot on the neck. If you want to do this yourself, you'll need some more tools, like nut files and/or needle files, and some better measurement tools. I have finished a pre-slotted nut and adjusted other ones. I was pretty nervous about it the first few times, and I made some mistakes.

So I think you want to find a guitar tech who will make you a custom nut. A competent tech should be able to make a nut to your specs. The tech would also warn you if the string spacing would be problematic at the edges (which you say is not, though I would have that verified - the fret ends could be an issue, for instance).

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by dhalbert

Any nut you buy, pre-slotted or not, will need to have the slots adjusted (filed down) after installation. And probably it will need to be shaped to fit the slot on the neck.

Yes, I did not think there would be an exact drop-in nut available.
Just real close.
Part of the fun of this journey is the "learning all the time".

[Outhouse]

I know my Yamaha has just enough room for the smaller spacing on the end of the E strings.

1.75 may be pushing it a hair to far.

Get a Taylor nut and try.