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Hi everyone, I'm considering purchasing a pre-slotted unbleached bone nut for my first guitar build, its a 000 martin kit from blues creek. How to I know which one to purchase, they have 4 listed for Martin. Thanks.

I say that you need to learn to do these. I have not found one yet that just dropped in

The original poster did not state a reason for wanting to buy a pre-slotted nut.
Perhaps he does not have the means to purchase nut files or he feels that
slotting a nut is a task he wants to put off to his second or third build.

mdutko, could you tell us what your reasoning is?

My first guitars I had to be creative to make the nut
I use a hack saw blade for the 5th and 6th string coping saw for and 3 and a razor saw for 2 and 1 .
you brain is the best tool you have the more you use it the sharper it gets

this sounds like a good opportunity for a video and photo essay.

the nut is such an important part of the guitar. So lets look as what makes one nut better than another.
When you do set up a nut , the bottom of the nut slot in theory should be in line with the top of the fret plane. I keep them about .007 . Also the bottom of the nut slot as the strings come through should be radius so think roller not ramp.
On the stew mac site you would have to know what your nut width is. Usually 1 11/16 in or 1 3/4. Also the nuts are not fully slotted. You want to look under the Martin section and select the nut width. that would be the proper area to check out.
keep us posted

Okay, I guess I am just feeling lazy and anxious about finishing my guitar. This is my first build and have been working on it on and off for a year plus....I have finally had time lately to really make some good progress and its getting so close. I just happened to be looking on the stew mac website and saw the slotted nuts and I thought for $15 bucks it would save me alot of tedious work. Never gave it another thought until I posted here. You guys are correct I have come this far, learned a whole bunch of new woodworking skills so why should I skip this part. Also, If my wife can buy clothes and shoes like she does, whats a few nut files...haha
Anyway I would be interested in a detailed procedure for laying out the spacing and all the other tasks. Also I may order an extra blank anyway just in case....any suggestions on material?

And while we are on the topic, what do you guys think about the stew mac compensated and pre shaped saddle....same thing? Learn the skill, or wait until the next build.

As always I appreciate everyone's feedback

-Marc

feel free to call me. I am going to be getting some guitars back from finish soon and I will document the procedure. A good set of nut files is a good investment if you plan on doing more. If not there are ways to make a nut using things in your shop.
I remember in my early days I used a lot of dumb things but it got me through.

I'd also really appreciate a video on how you make the nut John. Your videos are great teaching tools.

any recommendations on a nut file set? I see alot of them out there. Thanks

also what do you guys think of the Shaped Martin Intonated Saddle
Compensated and Pre-shaped saddle?

Thanks again
-Marc

I have used a number of them. My favorite are the grobet files. They are decimal sized files and I get them from LMI or this one from Ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acoustic-Light- ... 19ee9b50a7

I will be doing some set ups on new guitars this week and will do a pictorial of the nut process.

I hope to have it by Wed.