How to Make a Guitar Nut from a Blank

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  • Опубликовано: 26 дек 2024

Комментарии • 639

  • @MGC-1977
    @MGC-1977 4 года назад +410

    I like how Dan showed how she could improve the nut and THEN showed us a similar one he made years ago. Instead of making her work look less than perfect, he showed that everyone starts at the beginning and can improve (even himself). It would be nice if all management could take this approach.

    • @aPandorasboxofmusic
      @aPandorasboxofmusic 2 года назад +14

      Some might call this Dansplaining.

    • @TheUlesifah701
      @TheUlesifah701 Год назад +1

      Good point …. I’m a journeyman electrician and keep that mentality daily with the apprentices I teach

    • @CaptainWrinkleBrain
      @CaptainWrinkleBrain 11 месяцев назад

      This is key. Not just telling us “yep that’s good” but continually improving and admitting imperfections. I’d let anyone who could do that work on my instrument

    • @phantasm8180
      @phantasm8180 10 месяцев назад +1

      who cares ?

    • @ThibautVDP
      @ThibautVDP 9 месяцев назад +1

      leadership by example. it's good stuff.

  • @spike.strat1318
    @spike.strat1318 4 года назад +51

    Could you imagine apprenticing with this legend? What a fantastic opportunity.

  • @blainetrain2299
    @blainetrain2299 3 года назад +22

    I like the way both Dan & Elyse communicate with us. Easy to follow and understand the how-to's. Hope to see her teaching us again.

  • @rselp
    @rselp 4 года назад +71

    I love Dan's style of teaching...so empowering and encouraging. Dan, you're a national treasure...a firm hand steering the ship!

  • @michaelpthompson
    @michaelpthompson 4 года назад +120

    Always love Dan's style and expertise. Glad he's passing it along to a new generation.

    • @galenmarek8287
      @galenmarek8287 4 года назад +2

      Yes. He’s like a library of encyclopedias full of knowledge. If I could only know what he’s forgotten about guitars in his lifetime, it would be a blessing.

    • @cyber-psych2503
      @cyber-psych2503 4 года назад +4

      back in the day Dan published repair tips in the early Guitar Player magazine

    • @jamescashin5637
      @jamescashin5637 4 года назад +1

      @@cyber-psych2503 Always the 1st page I'd go to!

  • @joshuariveraflora
    @joshuariveraflora 2 года назад +5

    How can you not love Stew Mac? These RUclips lessons are super helpful and very practical.

  • @murrayc9615
    @murrayc9615 4 года назад +4

    I'm always impressed with how well the Stewmac staff and students speak on camera. Their dialog is most likely scripted, but they do such a good job it makes them sound so professional. No hesitation, no shyness, no "umms" or "ahhs", no unnecessary slangs or expressions which would be distracting . I always enjoy seeing new videos even though I would never build a guitar myself.

    • @stewmac
      @stewmac  4 года назад +5

      Thanks! They're actually not as scripted as you might think. We mostly work from outlines.

  • @InGrindWeCrust2010
    @InGrindWeCrust2010 4 года назад +4

    Dan Erlewine is a national treasure.

  • @vincentcarrocci4697
    @vincentcarrocci4697 4 года назад +17

    I don't play guitar or work on them but I really love these StewMac videos. I have such an appreciation for the craftsmanship you all display in your work!

  • @sweetstonegypsy6673
    @sweetstonegypsy6673 3 года назад +10

    This is one of the best demonstration videos I’ve ever seen. It moves quickly enough to cover a ton of ground, is incredibly well-filmed-I was able to clearly see how to do it, well-explained at every single juncture, and even includes the very special oversight, commentary, and counsel of a master. I’m going to watch it again, then order the couple of tools I don’t already have, and then begin to learn how to do this extremely important job correctly. Thank you!

    • @stewmac
      @stewmac  3 года назад

      Glad it was helpful! Best of luck!

  • @jamesthe-doctor8981
    @jamesthe-doctor8981 4 года назад +30

    What makes this such a great video in my opinion is that you had your apprentice show the world that making a nut from a blank isn't some mysterious, impossible feat, at least not for anyone possessing a little skill with tools and measuring. Thanks again, Dan, and please - more videos by Elyse!!!

  • @nocaster51
    @nocaster51 4 года назад +35

    This looks like a friendly workplace. Cheers to you guys

  • @gins8781
    @gins8781 4 года назад

    A friend replaced the nut on my classical guitar as a gift. I had no idea of the craftsmanship involved. I appreciate his generosity so much more now. Thank you for this video!

  • @YkItzUnknwn
    @YkItzUnknwn 3 месяца назад +1

    I know this is years old but MAN this is a great video. The contraption you guys made to file the string slots was genius

  • @gabevalencia2012
    @gabevalencia2012 4 года назад +3

    Dan is an excellent teacher! I could watch him for hours!

  • @patrickpalmer3374
    @patrickpalmer3374 3 года назад

    I watched you a few times yesterday and cut in a nut in my new 200S yamaha, 30 hours later I'm still on the saddle and if it wasn't for the baking soda and super glue trick I wouldn't have noticed how I have a bad habit of over standing. I worked that saddle bridge 4/5 times pored the glue on and sprinkled baking soda. Thanks. All this rework brought new thoughts to mind about radius, intonation and one about making a bridge from different powders, oh yes I get the best string slots award. I will be getting those string slot files. I'm greatful no one saw them. I will get about 10 unbleached each of the nut and saddle and realise that it doesn't what any dealer says in order for any bridge to work as good as it gets each string has to be subject to a reliable tone machine, that said you can still go back in and flatten B G A E. With E 1 mm G 1.5mm A 1 .mm. B 1.5mm. I just watched a guy demo in a roughed in way why he believes this all makes an
    Acoustic play betted. The thought is there but would probably ruin a couple blank pieces force me but the having not tried seems worse
    Thanks for everything,

  • @ivanreiss
    @ivanreiss 4 года назад +320

    The old nice sweet-voiced man and his tattooed rad apprentice young lady. I mean, how cool is this team?!

    • @gunhedd5375
      @gunhedd5375 4 года назад +2

      Jim R • Nope. Athens, Ohio. About 30 minutes from West Virginia. Home of Ohio University. Very pretty around there.

    • @oldtimetinfoilhatwearer
      @oldtimetinfoilhatwearer 4 года назад +9

      The old nice sweet man was a rocker in his day. One of Mike Bloomfield's contemporaries, in fact I believe Mr. Erlewine Owned the Bloomfield burst and traded it to Bloomfield for his 54 Les Paul. He's a real interesting dude

    • @gunkanjima3408
      @gunkanjima3408 4 года назад +1

      Gunhedd Crazy. Only a few hrs from my house

    • @patrickroozeboom6712
      @patrickroozeboom6712 4 года назад

      About 9 minutes into the video, his voice over, his voice, reminded me of Johnny Cash.. 😂

    • @salatieljyrustumanan4929
      @salatieljyrustumanan4929 4 года назад

      @@89schofe Probably someone who loves guitars and modding them professionally

  • @Cre8tvMG
    @Cre8tvMG 2 года назад +1

    I love all the info, but I also love the camaraderie and friendship and encouragement. That's a good company.

  • @robbiekimpel
    @robbiekimpel 9 месяцев назад

    When I was learning to make a bone nut, my teacher told me to buy a bunch of blanks and keep making one till I was satisfied with it enough to put it on my 1958 Fender Stratocaster,
    I think I made around 50 before I was happy with it. Its been on my guitar for 30 years!

  • @gregmartin1757
    @gregmartin1757 4 года назад +2

    Awesome to see dan passing along his knowledge and expertise to the younger generation.
    Nice job by young lady. Dan is a legend and a true national treasure.

    • @derick3482
      @derick3482 3 года назад

      that looks young to you? she's 35 at least

  • @cameronjohnston4276
    @cameronjohnston4276 Год назад

    Excellent video. And Dan seems to be a very good teacher/mentor. He really guided his "student" and treated her with a great deal of respect. I can't wait to watch more of these videos.Cheers!

  • @iagobroxado
    @iagobroxado 4 года назад +3

    This video was really awesome and inspiring. Congratulations Elyse and a quick recovery on your hand, Dan.

  • @lifelongfan07
    @lifelongfan07 3 года назад +1

    Congratulations Elyse! You and Dan the man work really well together! Dan seems very patient and he has taught you well!…

  • @R3loaded1313
    @R3loaded1313 9 месяцев назад

    What an amazing teacher. You know how to explain mistakes without breeding self doubt. She did an amazing job and id expect that with such a good teacher and a great learner. Good job Elyse, keep up the good work.

  • @danjobrien
    @danjobrien 2 года назад

    Gotta love Dan's intro - proud Papa style. Elyse can work on my guitars anytime - amazing work and tutorial - thanks !

  • @2011k
    @2011k 4 года назад +2

    Probably one of the best nut making video on the web. Great job Elyse btw.

  • @tonyefc8423
    @tonyefc8423 2 месяца назад

    Brains AND beauty all in one. Elyse made a great job I thought. Their is so much to have to know, for such a small part of your guitar.

  • @tyronewarren6944
    @tyronewarren6944 Год назад

    I love the recognition, the diploma. Heart warming.

  • @perrybolontzakis7626
    @perrybolontzakis7626 4 года назад +2

    I am very fascinated for just looking at the making of a guitar with all the details that go in so amazing, i love just looking at it !!!!

  • @GuitarMooseMusic
    @GuitarMooseMusic 4 года назад +1

    I really value watching these videos more than most. I have to do most of my repairs myself and these videos give me the confidence to do them w/o fearing that I’m going to really mess up my guitar.

    • @RainStickland
      @RainStickland 4 года назад

      It's very difficult to completely ruin a guitar. Even if you slice off a hunk of the body (on an electric, not acoustic), it makes absolutely no difference to how it sounds or plays. Now, you could always buy a really cheap guitar, or a build kit, and use that to practice on. Also, the easiest thing to learn for soldering is the output jack, so start there if you've never soldered before. Philip McKnight has some good videos, too, and has done videos for StewMac.

  • @jmiddlefinger
    @jmiddlefinger 4 года назад +4

    Dan sure seems to have no trouble finding talented apprentices with great screen presence to match their excellent technical skills and craftsmanship. I hope we’ll get to see more from Elyse in the future, and I really hope that we’ll get to see Chelsea again next time she’s in town. Her neck finishing video is still one of the best instructional videos I’ve seen!

  • @GrahamsYouTube
    @GrahamsYouTube 3 года назад +1

    Great video and very constructive feedback which shows an expert craftsman and teacher

  • @guymandude999
    @guymandude999 4 года назад +19

    3:38 Sand your pencil flat on one side so the wood casing isn't interfering.

  • @jamesdunn6333
    @jamesdunn6333 Год назад

    high production value, friends! not only are you guys great at fixing guitars, you're awesome at telling people about it too!

  • @brooksphillips2234
    @brooksphillips2234 6 месяцев назад +1

    The string spacing ruler is sooo great

  • @Ibaneddie76
    @Ibaneddie76 4 года назад +3

    Man I want to apprentice under Dan the man! I've been building guitars for years but I would jump on that opportunity in a second and act like I've never touched a guitar just to learn from a master. I actually think making nuts is one of the funnest parts of a build, you can really get creative trying to find the best pitch and angle for the string path.

  • @deegz
    @deegz 4 года назад +2

    Wow this video is exactly what I call perfect timing. I built a guitar a while back and decided today that I need to make a proper nut for the guitar to play perfectly. And funnily enough it’s a single p90 style guitar!! Thank you guys! Much appreciated 🤘🤘

    • @robertschaeffer5861
      @robertschaeffer5861 4 года назад

      Just checked in to see if I am doing it right...I've done them in brass like Mossrite use to but ebony is my favorite for fretless instruments...
      Guild of America Luthiers is a wealth of information...its an amazing adventure...

  • @grasshoffers
    @grasshoffers 4 года назад

    I was going to ask about recommended tools but was smart (for once) and looked at description. That is more thorough than ANYONE I have seen over the years on recommendation. Great video to share the knowledge. I have been trying to figure out where to start and this video popped into my feed!

    • @russrainwatet4825
      @russrainwatet4825 4 года назад

      I wonder if she plays guitar..and her fav genre..

  • @j.b.phillips6400
    @j.b.phillips6400 4 года назад +4

    Thank you so much! You guys are great. Dan & Elyse are so cool with the teaching method! Great job Elyse, you're a pro and help me understand this for the Super Strat I'm building! Great filming too. Y'all rock!

  • @anthonyrodriguez4055
    @anthonyrodriguez4055 4 года назад

    I have six guitars and they all need new nuts! So this video was just what the Dr. ordered! Thank you! Stew Mack! Congrat's, Elyse!

  • @Sodacake
    @Sodacake 4 года назад +1

    Always good to see young people learning these skills in the shop.

  • @toneconsultant
    @toneconsultant 3 года назад

    That might be the most detailed video I’ve seen them share. Nice job. I really like how she checked the nut height by pressing down on the 2nd fret. I hadn’t seen that done before.

  • @davethomas7222
    @davethomas7222 2 года назад

    Super useful video. I re-fashioned the nut for a Peruvian nylon string I own using stewmac blanks, and watched this a few times before diving in.

  • @rommeldesouza2963
    @rommeldesouza2963 2 года назад

    Dan the Guitar nut specialist, great job guys.

  • @guerrillaradio9953
    @guerrillaradio9953 2 года назад

    Extremely helpful! I made an aluminum nut (had to be only 1/8" from headstock side to fretboard to not interfere with truss rods, but very strong) for my 15 string AliExpress extended range bass because the original was awful, and now it plays like a dream! Thanks for putting this craftsmanship knowledge out there for free. 🎄

  • @blinddeadmcjones5255
    @blinddeadmcjones5255 9 месяцев назад

    This is my favourite repair to do in the guitar shop i work at, i could do it forever

  • @stanbrown915
    @stanbrown915 2 года назад

    As a machinist I know you never stop honing your skills and learning. Can't imagine all the complexities of physical manipulation of materials to produce proper tone.

  • @BeesWaxMinder
    @BeesWaxMinder Год назад +1

    Gratulations Elyse!
    I hope you’ve kept up your studies and are doing well.

  • @c0mputer
    @c0mputer Год назад

    More craftsmen putting videos on RUclips should show their work in detail and explain how to make it even better. This channel is really a breath of fresh air...and I don't even play or fix guitars. Any why is it that every worker Dan has in these videos just seems so cool?

  • @notsosure7757
    @notsosure7757 3 года назад +18

    As much as I'd love to do this, the amount of specific tools you'd need would only be cost effective if I was a luthier. I'll leave it to my tech, but still a very good video lesson.

    • @jedfiekel9809
      @jedfiekel9809 3 года назад +4

      You don't NEED all of the specific luthier tools... a cheap feuler guage set from an auto parts store, a cheap precision file set from harbor freight, and a torch tip cleaner works good for filing the slots. A cheap hack saw or coping saw, and a cheap straight edge or metal ruler. Maybe $25-40 for everything.

    • @jedfiekel9809
      @jedfiekel9809 3 года назад

      You can also get a cheap wide flat contractor pencil and cut it exactly down the middle...

    • @michaelb.42112
      @michaelb.42112 3 года назад +1

      This is my dilemma. I'd love to learn this and I feel I NEED to know this stuff just like I know how to solder pots, etc, but is it cost effective just to pay the tech ? If I had a bunch of basses to do it's no question.

  • @bwedwards67
    @bwedwards67 4 года назад +1

    I’ve learned so much from Dan through his books and videos. He is a great teacher

  • @brooksphillips2234
    @brooksphillips2234 Год назад

    Man i would love to learn from someone with this kind of knowledge. I am learning the best I can to work on my Les Paul and Strat.

  • @clgmafnas
    @clgmafnas 4 года назад +3

    Man... the possibilities and potential with all the right tools at your disposal. If i owned a shop like this now, imagine the builds 🤔😁

    • @jarrydwest3717
      @jarrydwest3717 4 года назад +1

      sure it matters how big the stick it, but it matters a hell of alot more whos swinging it

  • @thefilthygringo9228
    @thefilthygringo9228 3 года назад +1

    Such an awesome resource for musicians. I can’t thank you enough for all of your videos they are so informative and very enjoyable to watch. Keep it up

  • @AubryG
    @AubryG Год назад

    Congrats for this teaching and transmission knowledge. Beautiful nut, you have some gold in your hands

  • @ryanwiseman9141
    @ryanwiseman9141 4 года назад

    Glad to see you passing this down to next generation!! Great work!!

  • @lkgreenwell
    @lkgreenwell 4 года назад

    This is a treat - and will remain so for the next few years

  • @khankrum1
    @khankrum1 4 года назад

    I have played guitar for yearsand I never realised how skilled fitting a new nut can be.
    I will leave ot to the experts.

  • @Isaac-Draper
    @Isaac-Draper 4 года назад

    Dan seems like such a supportive man. I love these videos!

  • @OhBHayes
    @OhBHayes 4 года назад +3

    Love this channel! There’s something so relaxing about watching guitar repair.

  • @TheKingBJ
    @TheKingBJ 4 года назад +17

    1:57 When you knock out an ol' nut with yo homies

  • @fepatton
    @fepatton 4 года назад +4

    Great video and very timely. I'm going to be making my first "from-scratch" nut for a mandolin I've been making and this will really help. I supposed I will actually be making my first two or three, if I'm honest... :-) Showing the "areas for improvement" was really helpful too.

  • @4stringz.
    @4stringz. 2 года назад +3

    1:20 that smile 🤣❤️

  • @j.schaefer5622
    @j.schaefer5622 4 года назад +1

    I learned a lot from Dan and its cool to see that hes passing his knowledge to the younger generation...

  • @CharlesNotBronson
    @CharlesNotBronson Год назад

    I'm an apprentice of a guitar tech as well. My task for today is to make a nut of a somewhat hybrid classical guitar out of nothing lmao. Thanks for this! I learned so much!

  • @JoshuaC923
    @JoshuaC923 4 года назад +3

    Congratulations Elyse!

  • @toneseeker4968
    @toneseeker4968 4 года назад +5

    Great job, Elyse and Dan! Graduation congrats, Elyse! Love these videos... very interesting! I need to quit procrastinating and get new nuts on many of my guitars..

  • @markjohnston2696
    @markjohnston2696 3 года назад

    this is the most friendly workspace i ever seen it even has the spongebob music in the background whenever spongebob goes to do something tedious or fun. I'm flabbergasted no ones made a nut joke here. props to everyone in the video for the professionalism. Lol

  • @davidkhammer
    @davidkhammer 4 года назад

    You guys make it look easy !! Dan is the man.

  • @davecarsley8773
    @davecarsley8773 4 года назад +6

    Elyse is extremely lucky. In the entire world, there is no better journeyman that she could be learning from.

  • @nedalhubhub1851
    @nedalhubhub1851 3 года назад +1

    Dan is a cool guy!

  • @stevek8821
    @stevek8821 3 года назад +1

    Many thanks for that, really helpful! Best wishes to Elyse..

    • @stewmac
      @stewmac  3 года назад

      Glad it was helpful! 👍

  • @firsteerr
    @firsteerr 4 года назад

    elyse did a great job and the more critics she gets she will get much better so a real tribute to dans teaching

  • @pudekuf25
    @pudekuf25 4 года назад +1

    CONGRATS ELYSE! Great job! Always love these stew Mac videos. I will be referencing this video alot just like I do all of Dan's videos. Thanks!

  • @johnterpack3940
    @johnterpack3940 2 месяца назад

    The figure-8 pattern on the sanding tells me she's a pro. Sanding that teeny nut with her bare fingers on a belt sander warmed my gen-x heart. Here's to all the kids who ride a bike without a helmet.

  • @mmediaaudio
    @mmediaaudio 4 года назад +5

    Fun video! Elyse was super chill, good on camera and is well on her way learning from the best - very impressed! Always look forward to the videos!!! Stay safe yooze guys, scary times!

  • @musicmatty67
    @musicmatty67 4 года назад +1

    Congratulations and very impressive! Special thanks to Dan for educating all of us through the years🙏

  • @orlandovflores
    @orlandovflores 4 года назад +1

    Great video! Been watching a lot of these videos as a family member left me several guitars after they had passed. The videos have been very helpful.

  • @freemanjonnes995
    @freemanjonnes995 4 года назад +1

    Achei incrível ver uma mulher trabalhando como Luther, no Brazil isso é muito raro. Parabéns pelo belo trabalho e pelo diploma. Adorei o vídeo!

  • @MostlyTorso
    @MostlyTorso 4 года назад +3

    Jawbreaker! Good to see I'm not the only one who remembers.

  • @nickf9392
    @nickf9392 2 года назад

    To mark the string locations I take a guitar that I already have that has the string spacing I like. I put a piece of masking tape over that nut, taped down. Then mark the string placement onto the tape by rubbing a pencil mark on each string. Then remove the tape from the sample neck, press it down onto the new blank nut and saw right thru the tape at each pencil mark with an exacto fine blade saw to make the kurf marks, then remove the tape and finish the string slot depths with the proper files. String spacing is perfect every time. And I never use glue on any nut install. Take the time to sand and fit it properly and no glue needed. Glue makes adjustments harder, makes removing the nut harder and acts to deaden the string vibration as it transfers thru the nut and into the neck wood.

  • @sharkman4928
    @sharkman4928 4 года назад +2

    I wish my apprentices at work were as beautiful as Dan's!!! Great job Elyse!

  • @awogbob
    @awogbob 4 года назад +16

    Yup LOVE THIS more DAN knowledge!! WE NEED IT

    • @uke_mike
      @uke_mike 4 года назад

      master nutter

  • @arturofernandez6088
    @arturofernandez6088 4 года назад +3

    Great instructional video!
    The visuals help a lot too.
    I'm now a subscriber.

  • @darbuki13
    @darbuki13 3 года назад

    Wow, she really is working out on that nut.
    I'm impressed.

  • @KipCount
    @KipCount 4 года назад +2

    Watching this video makes me have absolute no problem paying a good guitar tech what they are worth. This is some tedious and detailed crafting here. Oh, and sweet Jawbreaker shirt there at the end!

  • @Musicology1975
    @Musicology1975 Год назад +1

    That's nuts man🎉

  • @ch0g0nda1
    @ch0g0nda1 4 года назад +13

    Did Dan get surgery on his hand? I had the carpal tunnel release surgery a couple years ago and his wound looks like it's from the same thing.
    Anyway, another great video! Congrats Elyse!

  • @Erikisat
    @Erikisat 4 года назад +1

    Really great tutorial! I’m going to give it a try making one thanks!

  • @allkive
    @allkive 4 года назад +1

    dude I wish I could work there, great video and nice explaining, Elyse did a great job

  • @kiaora12
    @kiaora12 4 года назад

    These videos are great and I love all the pointers. The one step I would have included would be to check the intonation at first, second and third frets. That would make it a wrap.

  • @ashchase8340
    @ashchase8340 4 года назад

    Dan is the Man, I learned from him many many years ago

  • @stevenjones6780
    @stevenjones6780 4 года назад

    As a DIY player, I've made a few for myself with what I had. Granted, not great but I so much enjoyed this vid and learned a lot. Also, I learned my instincts and "talent" were pretty fair, which can be a good starting point. Anyhow, thanks StewMac! When my cashflow picks up a little I intend to add to my tools...

  • @bafarrell82
    @bafarrell82 4 года назад

    Great job Elyse!

  • @sunnys3325
    @sunnys3325 4 года назад +1

    Congrats Elyse!! Great vid!! I like the way she talks🙂

  • @electroKrunch
    @electroKrunch 4 года назад +1

    Congratz Elyse!! Kick some guitar butt in the future!!

  • @ArturBrzozowski444
    @ArturBrzozowski444 3 года назад

    This video is so wholesome 💓

  • @attilakovacs6366
    @attilakovacs6366 4 года назад

    The best tutorial video on this topic. I learned a lot. Thx for sharing!

  • @manifestgtr
    @manifestgtr 4 года назад

    Making a good, attractive, well fitted nut with perfect slots and spacing is one of the last things I work with apprentices, etc. If you can make that happen, it really demonstrates a solid aptitude for almost any skill required for basic guitar maintenance. It means you’re detail-oriented, therefor you can be trusted haha. It’s one of the “big two”, in my mind....the other being the neck reset.

  • @maxsalasr
    @maxsalasr 4 года назад

    Maaaan his eye for detail!! Love your videos Daaan