Fixing a new nut onto a lap steel

[Ruby Darnell]

Does anyone know someone either in the Devon or North East areas who does work on lap steels? A while ago, I changed the strings on mine (a Morrell) and as I did so, the nut suddenly pinged off and launched itself across the room. It was a plastic one which was fixed on there when I got it, not the best quality. Well, I managed to get off the rest of the glue and tried to fix it back on myself but it has never been the same since. I'm sure it looks slightly cockeyed and the tuning is all to pot a bit as well. With the bar straight across, the bottom strings are in tune but as you go up each string, it goes slightly out unless I push the bar slightly sideways at the end. It's driving me mad so I just want to get it fixed properly. I bought a new bone nut to go on there. Now my other half, who also plays guitars, has bought some gadgets for fixing guitars BUT before I hand it over for him to 'have a go' I just wondered if there's anyone who has plenty of experience of doing this who knows exactly how to do a proper job. I'll be up in the Durham area from Thursday for a few days, if there's anyone in the North East. Otherwise, I live in Devon so anyone in the South West? I'll happily pay the cost of getting it fixed if it stops this problem. Thanks.

[telboy]

HI RUBY, IVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 8 STRING LAP STEEL I MADE, JUST COULDNT GET THE NUT RIGHT, I MADE ONE OUT OF ANGLED STEEL AND SCREWED IT TO THE PLANK, I HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH BUZZING, BUT NOW IM GLAD TO SAY IVE FINALLY FIXED IT, SO MY RESPONCE WOULD BE ANGLED METAL ALUMINIUM/STEEL ETC INSTEAD OF TRYING TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL WITH SIMILAR BECAUSE ITS A VERY HARD JOB TO GET IT SPOT ON...YOU MAY WANT TO GIVE OUR OWN BOB ADAMS A PM HES THE GURU ON ALL THINGS STEEL...GOOD LUCK TERRY

[Ruby Darnell]

Thanks very much Terry, I'll ask. I've been in touch with him before when I bought a pedal steel a couple of months back (from Ted Nesbitt but Bob put me onto it) so will def ask the question at least. I guess we could have a go as a last resort but I'm a bit wary of making the matter worse. Glad to hear yours worked out well though.

[Ruby Darnell]

OK, so I have finally handed the guitar over to my other half who carted it off to his Dad's garage tonight where the pair of them have started doing the nut job. He has come back saying that the first part has gone well - old nut off, sanded old glue off etc, fitted new bone nut and his Dad has fitted a small aluminium plate behind to keep it in place better. They've left it to set properly til morning then part 2. His Dad also unearthed a set of fret files that Paul didnt know were there! Handy. His Dad was a racing team mechanic and his garage is chocabloc like Aladdins Cave of tools for every job. Anyway, will post pic when job done and I know how the new one is playing, I have everything crossed.

[telboy]

fingers crossed it goes well Ruby!

[Ruby Darnell]

Hallelujah! All fixed and it sounds lovely, much better tone than before and everything in tune...

Happy days, I can relax now.