Deep nut slot

[MandoBen]

I just got an old 1918 F4 which has not had any maintenance in years, if ever. So the main problem is the very 1st E string is too low in the nut and buzzes on the first fret. Any advice? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Bill Snyder]

You could fill the slot with something such as CA and baking soda or do as Paul Hostetter does and file it square, glue in a piece of bone or similar and cut a new slot. You could purchase a new nut and cut, slot, size, polish and install it.
Then there is also the option of taking it to a good luthier/repair/set-up tech and letting them do one of the above.
If you do take it to a pro I wouldn't let them do the CA glue and baking soda trick. They should have a higher level of skill and greater choice of materials on hand than to do that. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Antlurz]

Dare I mention a cheesey temporary solution while you are considering the better options?

Just loosen the string and slide a piece or two of typing paper under the string and trim off the extra. That should get it running for the meantime.

If the nut is in otherwise good condition, rather than replacing it, you might consider shimming the whole nut up from below just enough to get that string working and then cut the other string slots back down to the correct depths. If the nut isn't in good shape otherwise, though, I'd opt for the above suggestions or get a new one made for it.

Ron

[MandoBen]

The nut looks pretty nice and it's made of MOP so I think it must be the original. I just don't know if I should be too concerned with keeping things original on this mandolin or not. I was hoping someone would tell me all I had to do was put a drop of super glue in it and then file a new slot http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Bill Snyder]

The CA I mentioned is short for cyanoacrylic glue otherwise known as superglue. The glue by itself would not hold up for any time. You need something with it, hence the suggestion of baking powder. But I would think of that as being a temporary fix as well.
Here is a shot of what Paul Hostetter does that I mentioned. He files a nice flat bottomed slot a bit bigger than the string and glues in a bone or pearl insert and then files in a new slot.
http://www.lutherie.net/pearl.nut.patch.jpg

[Mario Proulx]

The insert is a great way to go, but don't discount the CA and bone dust method as temporary. I've got one going on my own guitar now, for something near 10 years. Still doing fine! a friend purchased a new D-41 last winter, and on his way back home(he's a Snowbird), stopped at the Martin Factory for the tour, and mentioned his new purchase, and a buzzing string. Tour guide went and got someone from the repair shop to look at it, and they fixed it right there. CA and bone dust....

Just because something is simple, doesn't make it bad.

[mando andy]

One more point about the CA and baking soda method....and I got this tip from one of the top mandolin luthiers on the scene today.

Use very thin CA glue---the Jet brand sold in hobby shops has several grades of glue and offers a very thin type (like water). DO NOT---by any means apply the CA glue directly from the bottle to the nut!! You risk getting an accidental spill and then a mess on your instrument that will be hard to deal with. Put a drop of CA on another disposal surface (non porous piece of trash cardboard, etc) and then after packing the nut slot with baking soda--transfer a drop of the CA with a toothpick the packed nut slot. This should harden immediately. Then you can file the nut slot.

It has been debated that this is not as hard as bone or pearl and will yield subpar tone. I have only done this on my Triggs mando and it worked fine--but if this fix doesn't work.....you can either file the CA and baking soda out--try again or just replace the nut.

One advantage of this also is that it allows you to preserve the original nut.

Andy
Madison, WI

[MikeB]

Hope this isn't a dumb or obvious suggestion, but have you made sure that your first fret is not worn down--grooved? You said the mandolin hasn't had any maintenance. Seems like fret wear is a possibility...could be both problems, actually. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[MandoBen]

It does need at least the first 5-7 frets replaced, so I should probably just leave the whole job to a pro anyway and have it all done at once. My friend takes his to Paul Hostetter when he is around our neighborhood, we live in Oakland so maybe I will try to hook up with him next time he is around.