Ibanez nut
 

Hey guys, I have a couple simple questions.

Are these kind of nuts on Ibanez guitars supposed to have this gap under them?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/...07d6f116_z.jpg

And does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix it? (like, should I trim it or the guitar?)

Info is appreciated, thanks. :)

Did you buy that guitar new?

No, they aren't. Are those strings under tension? Because if they are thats a serious problem.

A loose nut on its own is no big deal, the only real reason they're glued on is to stop them moving around. A little glue and its fine.

BUT, if your nut is like that even with string pressure on it, you have a very serious issue going on and I suggest you look at getting a luthier to work on it.

And remember, guitars come with warranties like everything else, so look at getting it done under warranty.

Edit: Also, Satchmo, how DARE you ninja me by replying to an Ibanez thread before I could!

I know, usually I'll add the obligatory, "Better wait for GB to get here, He'll know for sure".

It looks like someone has tried messing with it.

first off - new or used guitar? if it was new and shipped like that - return it.


otherwise - i'd just use an exacto knife and a nail file - on the nut. unless you've got a high end model with a compensated nut (like Earvana or Buzz Feiten systems) but judging from the pic and craftsmanship, you don't, it's likely just a misformed chunk of plastic.

actually a closer look at the picture and the curve in the nut makes it look like it was removed and put in again backwards (but that might also be due to lighting). either way, it's not a huge deal and not something i'd consider serious enough to take to a luthier, especially if it's not a $1000+ guitar. just make sure to keep checking to see if the piece fits properly before you start whittling too much of it away.

Used, bought it like three years ago.

Cool, thanks!
I could of swore it fit properly when I bought it (maybe it's in backwards, that would be embarrassing) can a nut change shape after a few years of usage?

Thanks man!
Well, the nut is definitely under tension and the guitar is definitely out of warranty at its 3 years of age. Perhaps I should buy a new nut for the guitar? One that's meant for the guitar?

not by that much. has the guitar gone through significant temperature changes recently? been left in the case in a trunk under blazing hot sun for an afternoon? drastic changes in condition like that can result in the wood of the instrument expanding or contracting at different rates than the other materials within it. could explain the nut issue.

is the gap happening on the other side of the neck as well or just on the treble side?

The only temperature change that has happened recently was the change from Winter to Summer (65°F to 105°F, respectively.)

Yep, on both sides. The whole nut is evenly lifted from the neck.

Could changing the action cause this?

nah changing the action wouldn't cause it, neither would naturally going from winter to summer. though that much temperature variance within a day or two...

is the nut still really tight in the gap or can you pop it out? if you can pop it out smoothly then you should be able to thin it out enough to get it to fit smoothly. if it's tight you want to be careful to make sure you don't end up causing damage to the fretboard by cracking or splintering the edge.

I just fixed it by removing it and putting it in by sliding it in from the side. To answer your question, it wasn't easy to get out or get back in. I think it was made to be slid in, I must have never put it in right.

I think I'll buy a new one, though, because with it in properly the .012 gauge strings vibrate against the first couple frets.

that's cool that it slid in smoothly. .012s are kind of big though, did you have the action properly setup for strings that size before? or is it just some new strings you slapped on there after fixing the nut.

i'd try adjusting the action / truss rod before replacing pieces. you know how to do this yet?

Well, I started using .012s recently, and they worked great before I fixed the nut, I mean, the action was set quite high (like the strings were far from the neck) and it still is, the strings play nicely everywhere except for on the first few frets.

Yeah, I know how to do this. What would you recommend I try? More bow or hump?

i'm thinking you'd need to bow it out just a little, it'll result in slightly higher action midneck but it should eliminate the buzzing. just remember to keep checking after every 1/4 turn on the truss rod.

Well, that definitely helped, but it still buzzes a lot -- now only on the first fret.

Is there a way to raise the nut, like some paper under it (or would that not be a good idea)?

the best way to raise a nut is to make a new one, sadly. you can shim them with brass and stuff, but thats for locking nuts really, and will affect the tone.

that looks like a faulty piece

cool story bro.