Squier CV Jazzmaster Nut swap

[Oetzi1977]

Hi!
I've just purchased recently an Olympic White Jazzmaster Classic Vibe, and I'm having a lot of fun customizing and setting it up (stewmac shim and teflon film on the bridge posts were the first steps).

I've purchased a tusq nut that I'd really like to use in my JM but... I'm really worried about damaging the neck 'cos I've heard that these guitars came from the factory with an hardly glued nut that it's quite impossible to remove without damaging the nut slot.

Anyone has a "safe" method or any useful tips? I've heard about using an hair-dryer...

Thanks!

 

[BorderRadio]

It can be done, as I removed a few MIC CVC nuts that were coated in CA glue.

-cut the edges of the nut with an x-acto first, as this will help prevent any finish chipping. Can’t stress this one enough

-if tapping it out the side won’t work (sometimes a good, solid hit knocks it out), then saw the nut down the middle. Don’t saw to the slot, as you only want to create a channel so you can start breaking the nut apart. I used acetone to break the glue joint before, but you will damage many finishes, except whatever it is they dip CV necks in (MIC). Be cautious with acetone, in fact don’t use it without testing or being ok with the finish marring that it might create.

I don’t know how the new CV nut’s are glued, but again it can’t be worse than the first gen of CVs from China. The difference here is that it’s bone, and will likely chip before the glue releases. If done carefully, even breaking up the nut to get it out should not damage the slot.

 

[Oetzi1977]

Ok, Thank you so much.

If a slot is created in the middle position, parallel to long side, and part of the nut is breaked so that nothing is "outer" from the slot... how do you manage to tear it away? Do you suggest still trying with cutter blade removing little pieces till the entire slot gets free?

 

[BorderRadio]

When you cut the channel, and the start caving in the nut on itself, it should make a clean break from the slot wall, but this never seems to happen perfectly, otherwise the nut would of come out the 'normal' way in the first place.

I'd try the acetone trick and carefully try to tap out the pieces left in the slot with a flat head screwdriver or chisel. I counted on the flat blade 'grabbing' the plastic nut fragments, but that's not as easy to do with bone. Still, the same concept.

Also, I just saw this on youtube, the guy uses rubbing alcohol.

 

[Shine]

This video may help, starting at about 4:25. Dave does not score the finish around the nut with an Exacto Knife first, which to me seems like it would be a good idea if there is some factory finish on it.