Luthier Tips du Jour - Nut and Saddle Making

[STRUMMERBOY1975]

Thanks ! If only all tutorials were this clear ! :)

[joe90d2]

Thanks a lot, great video.

Quick question, If I have a guitar where the 'E6' string is sharp on cappo on first two frets ie a 'G' sharp note instead of a perfect 'G' but other frets bar 1 and 2 are ok any ideas what might be up? higher strings 'E1' are fine. Action is fine, and trust rod and nut marks up with measurements you give for both. Thanks for any advice. Joe.

[OBrienGuitars]

@joe90d2 Check your intonation on the 6th string like I show in the video. Most likely your saddle angle is not sufficient on the sixth string side.

[neviatha]

Excellent, this is exactly what I was looking for.

[1stab]

I've always hated doing this part on the guitar. But this has got to be the easiest and most straightforward way of doing it. Gonna make a half pencil and bring that action down low right now!

[DerekGrever]

how did you make that half pencil? ive cut a pencil in half but the lead falls out

[OBrienGuitars]

@DerekGrever You can use a sander or block plane to remove half the pencil.

[wildwestpoint]

what's the correct measurement of the action? the string height from the 12th fret? i want it as low as it can get but without buzzing

[OBrienGuitars]

@wildwestpoint Good question. Nylon or steel string? In my video about acoustic guitar set up I talk about this. Do a search on Acoustic Guitar Set Up and my Luthier Tips du Jour video will show up. This should answer your questions.

[tumeninotes]

Great video...I need to replace the saddle on my classical, but the current saddle has an intonated G. From what I understand (which is little), the need for this is determined after the guitar is set up for the first time. So I would guess I would need to build it into my new saddle. Any suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks!

[OBrienGuitars]

@tumeninotes Check the harmonic at the 12th fret and then the note at the 12th fret. If the note is sharp then you need to increase the scale length at the saddle. Use a file to do this. Good luck.

[ranjithnairnm]

what kind of plastic need to be selected? or is their is any specification to select one!!! Plz Reply!!!

[OBrienGuitars]

@ranjithnairnm I use only bone nut and saddles, no plastic.

[ranjithnairnm]

what kind of plastic need to be selected? or is their is any specification to select one!!! Plz Reply!!!

[DelTangBrav]

Brilliant video and brilliant explanations too. Thanks

[OBrienGuitars]

@DelTangBrav You are quite welcome. Glad you liked the video.

Happy Building!

[Filmpest]

What's the best way to make a half pencil?

[OBrienGuitars]

@Filmpest You can use a block plane or a sander. Be careful to not give yourself a manicure.

[archtopp1]

This is easily the best instructional on how to make a nut. It' photographed beautifully.

This is better than Dan Erliwine from Stew-Mac!

I noticed that the saddle blank wasn't warped as what you get from Stew-Mac.

Nice job!

[OBrienGuitars]

@archtopp1 Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[civic734]

I have a Taylor and the action has gone high on me around the 12-15 area. A friend said to sand the bottom of the saddle down to lower the strings. What is your opinion on that? I really dont want to mess up the original saddle. Thanks

[OBrienGuitars]

@civic734 watch my video on acoustic guitar set up before proceeding. I outline all of the steps of how to set up your guitar including adjusting the action.

[civic734]

@OBrienGuitars Thanks

[TheFingerlady]

thank you this is the best video on this subject thank you!

[mawd83]

At 5:30. Please tell me how long it takes to buff your nutz so that they're nice and shinny.

[ProcrastinatorsUnify]

I have yet to meet a man who isn't serious about his nuts! Thumbs uP!

[montymckinnon]

Another great video. Thanks! Monty