1960 Fender Jazzmaster Guitar Repair

Are You Nuts?


Someone got a bit too creative here, can you spot the problem?

What seems to be the problem with this Jazzmaster?

First ...Do No Harm ...

It's not at all surprising to see something like this on an inexpensive guitar, but when modifications are made that can effect the value of a collectible or vintage instrument you have to stop and ask if they are absolutely necessary. I don't believe there's any question here. :)

Mo' Better!

Apparently a suitable replacement nut was not available (and we all know just how rare Fender style nuts are, lol) so an acoustic guitar nut was used instead.

In order to "make it work", the original nut slot had been enlarged to accommodate the wider acoustic guitar nut. Performing a nut replacement is not difficult, however, this compromise turned an otherwise simple repair into a costly re-repair.

After removing the nut I cleaned the slot and filled it with a splice of matching rosewood. The fingerboard length (distance between the first fret and the end of the fingerboard) was measured before re-cutting the nut slot.

Fret spacing and the correct positioning of the nut and saddle(s) are all necessary for proper intonation. This is why saddle slots, fret slots and nut placement are all performed using precise measurements.

Tusq (aka Graph Tech) makes a variety of high quality, pre-slotted nuts suitable for replacement on Fender Strat's, Tele's, Jazzmaster's, Basses and many others. Purchasing the correct pre-slotted nut helps insure E to E spacing is correct and the strings are properly spaced. When installing a pre-made nut, slot depth is adjusted after the nut is installed. Special files matching the diameter of the strings are used to cut the depth and width of the pre-slotted nut so they match the strings precisely.

Pre-slotted Nut for Fender

The Finished Repair


Fortunately this repair is difficult to spot and the damage has been un-done. Recently I've seen a couple of Fender Stratocasters that were damaged when someone tried to remove the nut and took large chuncks of fingerboard out with it. As theses are generally not difficult to remove I would have to blame the technique rather than the instruments. For a more detailed look at removing, replacing and adjusting nuts see my website.

Fill is barely noticeable and would only be spotted if one knew to look for it.

   

String Creaks When Tuning

Complaint : When tuning my guitar I hear a creaking noise, like a pinging sound whenever I turn the tuning key.

This sound is usually caused when the string itself is encountering friction. As an instrument is being tuned the string is being pulled ever so lightly over the nut and saddle, any resistance at these points can cause a distinct creaking sound.

Take a good look at :

• The nut slot
• The saddles surface
• The strings path across the peghead

Most often the culprit is the nut slot. A nut slot that is too small for the diameter of string passing thru it can catch the small windings of the strings and cause noise when tuning.
On many classical guitars (or those with slotted pegheads) the strings angle to the nut slot can also cause the string to come into contact with the inner edge of the peghead.  I have also seen some instruments who's tuning machines lay at such an angle to each other one string could actually rub against the next tuner.
 


Solutions: The nut slot should be cut properly with a nut file or polished properly to eliminate binding.
The use of a string lubricant or "Nut Sauce" in the nut slot may also decrease friction.
Saddle surfaces should also be examined for grooves and polished where necessary.

Exceptions: It is not uncommon to have difficulty completely eliminating this on certain instruments. Slotted pegheads put the string at an increased angle as it crosses the nut, increasing the tension on the nut. It is also my experience that certain softer nut materials become easily grooved and must be repeatedly addressed.