Minor repairs

[horax]

I saw today that my nut seems to be riding high on the low E.
It's slid up a tad in the notch where it should be flush against the fingerboard.

Is there an easy fix, or do I need to replace it? Also, how would I do either?

Also, it seems as if my tremolo has started to come up away from the body a tad. It doesn't affect playing right now, but I want it to look good, too. I know that tremolo's arent' that expensive, but how ould I Know if it's bad enough to be re-done or not?

[AllroyPA]

If your nut has slid that means it's probably not bound by the glue anymore. Wrap the thin part of the screwdriver with your polishng cloth and slide it up under your strings from the base of the fretbosrd towards your nut till the strings are off the nut. Slide the nut back where it should be then let off the tension by sliding the screwdriver back out. Tension should keep it there. Next time you change strings push it out then put a couple of dots of glue in the slot and re-adhere the nut.

[shrekfingers]

yep glue ( just a small dab will do)the nut as allroy says but if its already loose and a plastic nut, why not replace it with a graphtech nut? When you say the trem is coming up are you refering to the back, if so some like floaters some like it on the deck. that is a preference you have to decide but it has to do with the trem spring adjustment to either float it or deck it.

[horax]

I probably will replace the nut. I have a tusq in my Schecter taht is nice...what do those usually run?

As far as the tremolo, yes it's the back that is coming up. Is there a major pro or con for floating or decking the tremolo?

[shrekfingers]

Originally Posted by horax

I probably will replace the nut. I have a tusq in my Schecter taht is nice...what do those usually run?

As far as the tremolo, yes it's the back that is coming up. Is there a major pro or con for floating or decking the tremolo?

Think I paid 8.00 for tusq nut. As far as the trem, it is a matter of opinion. Some like being able to pull up on the trem bar, others like to push down. Some feel the tone changes if the trem is on the deck when not using the trem. factory specs have it at i think 1/8'' off deck. check fender site for strat set up if you want more info, but all mine are floaters.

[Retroman1969]

Yeah if the trem used to be flush and is now lifting the springs are probably just getting weak. You can just tighten the screws in the trem cavity to pull it back down again.

[AllroyPA]

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

Yeah if the trem used to be flush and is now lifting the springs are probably just getting weak. You can just tighten the screws in the trem cavity to pull it back down again.

Yep you'll have to retune as you go as the tension will increase, so de-tune as you go til it sits where you want it to.

[horax]

So how do I tighten the trem? Do I take off the back protective cover or do I do it from the front?

[AllroyPA]

You do it frrom the back taking the protective cover off, screw the two screws into the body more that are attached to the claw, will increase downpull on the tremblock and pull the butt of your bridge down.

[horax]

sweet. Sounds like a 5 minute fix.

I do'nt have to take the strings off first, do I?

[YeahDoIt]

It took me hours to adjust the tremolo. When I change the spring tension the tuning changes a lot. So I re-tune. Play with whammy bar. Adjust the spring tension again. Re-tune. Play with whammy bar. Adjust springs. Re-tune.

I did not take the strings off.

My bridge screws are backed off about 2 millimeters and there is about a 2 or 3 millimeter gap between the back of my bridge and the wood of the guitar. I can whammy down about 1.5 half tones and up about 2 half tones. Most of the time my tremolo is very light, I don't come close to using maximum tremolo.