need mandolin nut

[Philip Halcomb]

Randy, the problem is that someone would really need the instrument to make a nut and do a good job. Height is very important, and I can't see how someone could do a decent job at slotting the right height without seeing the instrument. Although, that's me, perhaps other people have done it. Typically the process is to fit the blank in the nut slot. Then measure and cut the width (9 times out of 10 the sides are angled too, that would be hard to do without the instrument, because everyone is slightly different). Roughly shape it, slot it, and I always shave the top of the nut down to where the strings are half the diameter above the nut. Good luck and I hope you find someone to help you.

[grandmainger]

Randy... Daytrip to Nashville? Lots of luthiers there, plus you can see the Gibson Showcase...

[dave17120]

Is it me..... or is this just half a discussion??? Dave http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[grandmainger]

Is it me..... or is this just half a discussion??? Dave http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Not you, the original post has disappeared... Randy posted that he was looking for a luthier to prepare a nut to his measurements. There is no luthier near where he is so he was looking for someone to make the nut then send it to him.
G.

[dave17120]

Did he find one?... I can do that for him. I have for several other people. Not a perfect solution, but needs must....
Dave

[acousticphd]

I've successfully made a couple replacement mandolin nuts from a wide(1/8") bone guitar saddle blank, like you can buy at a decent guitar store for $5. This can be done with just a small craft saw or hacksaw for cutting down the blank, sandpaper for shaping, a fine slotting file(s), an hour or two, and the patience to start over if/when you mess up. A vise and a dremel would greatly speed things up. Having an old nut or some other slotted spare is useful as a template and for laying out the string spacing. I am far from handy or crafty, so this is probably within most anyone's ability.

[Dave Cohen]

Aren't there lots of mandolin nuts right here on this message board?

[PaulD]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[frets1]

I appologize to everyone. I did find someone about an hour away to replace the nut on my mandolin. I deleted my message thinking it would stop the thread. My Thanks to everyone who responded with offers of help.

Randy http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif