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Topic: Mods to a Starfire |
Thomas Temple
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2011 9:46 am |
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| I recently bought a Starfire Lap Steel off Ebay and when I received it the strings at the nut where approximately an inch off the fret board but only about a quarter of an inch above the pickup. In other words the strings had a downward slope. I broke several strings trying to get it into tune and then took the guitar to a local music shop that said that they had never seen anything like it and felt that the nut should be modified to make the strings level with the fret board. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you solve it? |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Thomas Temple
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2011 3:27 pm That is the one
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Yes that is the exact guitar that I bought. The shop that has the guitar now is trying to figure out how to modify the nut as it looks like it is superglued to the neck and other than cutting it off and replacing it they are limited on options. Also I do not wish to sink a lot more money into this as it almost seems like sending good money after bad. I know that many players have more than one guitar for different tunings and willing to put a few dollars into getting a playable guitar, but also have ordered a new Allen Melbert Pro 6 and seeing as how I am a newbie that is looking for a "retirement hobby" money is an issue.
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 28 Jul 2011 4:19 pm
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Its hard to tell what the nut is made of in that pic, but if its super glued in and does not want to come off easy, a quick fix would be to just cut it down while in place. You can take a block of wood, or other suitable guide about 3/8" - 1/2" thick, lay it up against the face of the nut, and use that as a guide to make a level cut with a hand saw, hack saw, back saw, or other appropriate implement of destruction.
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Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
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Thomas Temple
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2011 6:16 pm Hack Job
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| Appreciate the input, thinking that my jig saw can eliminate the existing nut which appears to be just a piece of wood with a plastic piece on top grooved for the strings. Should be able to come up with some sort of suitable replacement. At least good enough to get some playing time in while I await the new one. BTW all I can say about your "collection" is WOW! |
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Thomas Temple
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2011 6:18 pm On the level
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| Got the nut cut down and now the strings are parallel with the fret board, new set of strings installed, tuned to an open D and all is right with the world. Sounds good, well as good as it can with a newbie playing it!! |
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