A new nut for my GAD-50

[Fstpicker]

Well, I finally bit the bullet after feeling too cramped with the tighter string to string spacing at the nut on my new GAD-50. I went and purchased a partially cut Martin 90 degree bone saddle a couple of days ago, and stayed up half that night making it. I first sanded it down to size, which took a while, and then after getting it to fit in the nut slot perfectly like the original, I preceded to cut the new string slots. I used my other guitar's 1 & 11/16" string to string spacings as a template for the positioning of the new slots. I worked very carefully and slowly, checking and re-checking the original nut for cutting the correct depth of the slots and for getting the correct height. I didn't want to cut the slots too low and as it would cause some string buzzing. I've had this problem before when I've made a new bone nut for another guitar! After a good 2 hours of tedious and careful work, I was satisfied with how it fit and looked. I then installed the old strings back and tuned it up.

Voila! It is so much easier to play now than before!! I could be crazy, but I think that it actually sounds a tad better than the original bone nut did. This thing really booms now. It is so LOUD and clear, and it rings forever!! And it is very balanced from top to bottom, and the intonation is very good.

I ended up installing a new K&K Western pickup on the GAD-50 today (that story is on another thread), and I played out at a local art festival with my folk buddy this afternoon. I think this guitar has become my favorite "playing out" guitar now, as it sounds so rich, and sounds better in some ways than my Martin D-16RGT does, which just doesn't seem to be quite as responsive, as it seems that you have to work a little harder to get the volume out of it, in comparison with the Guild. The Martin just doesn't seem to be quite as clear sounding as the Guild is, either.

Just wanted to share this with some of you, who might be considering having to do this on their GAD-50 some day.

Thanks for listening.

Jeff

 

[Graham]

Very impressive Jeff, nice going.

 

[Guildmark]

Nice work! This will be very encouraging to the GADifiers. Even those who are reasonably content with what they've got. Most will need to ask their luthier to do the cutting and filing for them, though, I think. I'm reckoning this should be <$100 in most places. What d'y'all think?

 

[Fstpicker]

Thanks Guys.

Yes, I'd imagine it should cost less than $100, and perhaps more like $50-60. Well worth the cost vs. the benefits IMO.

Jeff

 

[doc]

Jeff, pretty cool work. I am suspecting that the nut on my GAD-25 is too high. Is there a standard height for guild guitars and how is it measured?

Thanks

 

[Guildmark]

I don't think there is a standard height for the nut, doc, but there are accepted heights for the string above the first fret. The nut should be as high as is necessary to get the string height right (no buzz, acceptable tone, good feel, etc.). There should be several references on the internet for specifications, and you or your luthier might have personal preferences. A change like that can make a world of difference in playability.

 

[doc]

Thanks Mark, I found a spot that actually gives the measurements for guild guitars setups and that was helpful. This is the site for anyone else that might find it useful.

http://www.adirondackmusic.net/adkmusic/Guitar_Adj.htm

My next search is to find some more information on the relationship of tone and string hight, if it exists. I know this is an old question, however, there must be someone who has actually researched it. I wish I had some different height saddles that I could just pop in and out to experiment with and see what works for my hands and my ears. I try to keep them both happy if I can. However, sometimes compromise is the way to go. I find that the guild recommended string hight just a tad too high for my tastes, however, I play semi hollow guitar, T-400, X-175 where they have electric guitar type action. Darn, I think my hands are spoiled. I have been fighting the clickers in my thumb and a little finger. Anyone ever have clickers? I am thinking about starting a thread about it and the relationship of DMSO to that problem. 8)

 

[Fstpicker]

Nice site there, Doc! Thanks for the lead.

Jeff

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Fstpicker,

My GAD 50 is My hot rod acoustic. The strings are so limber right now that she yields some wild sounding tones.

Sooner or later strings will start popping, but for now, I enjoy the stretching while I can.