1

As I develop my skills for guitar work, I find it is probably time to invest in a set of nut slot files. Now, I’ve got no problem springing for the StewMac set if that is in fact necessary, but if there is a set that will work just as well for less I’d much rather do that of course.

Do any of you guys have experience with these things? I doubt I’ll be using them much but when I do use them I want them to be right.

6 Spice ups
2

Never been brave enough to do that yet, but interested to see if others have.

Only just plucking up the courage to do a “fret dress”

1 Spice up
3

I’ve done one offs on slots where I upped a string gauge and used the new string to widen the slot, but I think I’m beyond that as I’ve got a Strat I want to bump form 9’s to 10’s so it’s the full gamut. It makes sense to widen with the slots where you can use wound strings as a file, but not the plain steel strings.

4

From experience - GET THE STEWMAC SET (or any good, recognized set).

Cheap sets don’t typically do a good job, and I ruined a few nuts with one of those affordable kits. The size of the files looked a bit off to me, but I had no caliper to check. The filing was decent, if not too aggressive for something that requires precision.

I got a cheap teeny tiny needle file from the hardware store and it did a better job than the “specialized” set I had. It was for a bass, though, so the smallest precision file from the hardware store was the proper size for the string slots I needed to file.

YMMV, but this is one instance where higher quality tools make a world of difference.

2 Spice ups
5

Hosco is a good brand, as is Music Nomad according to users at TGP.

My opinion with tools like this is that I’ll start with the lower priced versions that are still adequate (like Hosco; I have a set of files for bass) and when/if needed, I’ll upgrade to StewMac. I haven’t made enough nuts myself to warrant a full SM set yet.

But I did discover that it’s way too easy to go overly aggressive in adjusting existing slots :hushed: Had to use the superglue/CA glue trick to make up for slotting too deep and it only took losing focus for barely a few seconds.

3 Spice ups
6

I would only buy from a Luthier supply company & would just choose their most expensive set
Looking; Even their diamond set is way cheaper than a single Stewmac file, however the Stewmac are much wider (is that a good thing?)

7

I ordered 9’s again when I ordered strings for it. I think I got a couple sets and they’re the dragon skin ones by DR so I’m hoping they last a while. I’ll look into these Hosco ones when I go to bump up a string gauge or two. Every other electric I have is 10-52 (the 7 string has a 68 on the top) and I really like that aggressive heavy to light gradation. I’m wanting to stay a little more traditional with the strat though.