Bad Guitar Nut - Diagnostic Under the Microscope

Don't forget to visit the @GuitarDepartment RUclips channel.
To support this scientific research you can...
Buy me a Coffee - www.buymeacoff...
Become a Patron - / guitarquackery
Buy Merch - merch.guitarqu...

[@vw9659]

I've been impressed by the precision that comes from your use of microscopes in several videos. I see you use several different ones. Which models are they (so we can look up the required specs for this type of work) ?

[@GuitarQuackery]

Correct. I have multiple microscopes and I tend to switch them around. I have been obsessed with microscopes since I was about 6 or 7 years old.
The main speck of any microscope is not magnification, but rather, resolving power. Sometimes magnification is useless.
The magnification that I use most often is actually just 7x and sometimes I reduce that magnification to about 5x by adding a lens that actually reduces the magnification (but adds working distance. The highest magnification that I ever use is 45x. The higher magnifications are difficult to work with because of shallow depth of field and also because any small movement will be greatly magnified and the image will shake. So, more magnification often works against you.
Then there's camera resolution. This is where it doesn't pay to go with cheaper cameras. I recommend just using a 4K camera. The minimum camera spec should be when they call a "microscope camera" (which is actually just a camera with a C-mount) and it should be 4K, or for sure not less than 1080p.
A much better camera would of course be a DSLR camera, which would greatly improve the quality of the image that you are recording. The minimum camera would be a mirrorless camera such as the Canon M-50 (or equivalent speck camera). A mirrorless camera would be recommended because it is a smaller size than a mirror DSLR camera.
Hope this makes sense.

[@pablo963]

Very comprehensive explanation, thank you!

[@susanandjasonstaal3778]

Neat video! Amazing the stuff people will try crazy glue or filing when all they need to do is bring the guitar to an expert, like you!

[@GuitarQuackery]

You'd be amazed what kind of stuff I've found in and on guitars over the years. Anything you can imagine (except money).

[@Iamadoctor6365]

Is supper glue an acceptable nut filler?

[@GuitarQuackery]

In my opinion, it is acceptable as a quick fix, or emergency fix. This is not to say that it can’t last for a long time. As with any type of glue, surface preparation is more important than the actual glue used.
I personally use dental composite fillings, but I only do that on a bone, nut, only if I need to preserve the original vintage bone nut, or as a budget repair if only one of the string slots is damaged.

[@Iamadoctor6365]

@@GuitarQuackery Thank you, very informative

[@vincentrigby5611]

Got really bored see all that with eyes, but hey ho away I go Zoooooooooom

[@GuitarQuackery]

Thanks for dropping by.

[@markpell8979]

Nothing gets past Vincent. Perfect eyesight combined with unsurpassed knowledge and experience. Thanks so much for your valuable input, Vincent! We've all learned a lot from you.

[@vincentrigby5611]

@@markpell8979 why thank you sir 🙏