how do you get a nut off?

[maxboost]

got a cheapo guitar with a standard plastic nut that's at least 1/8" to high but, I can't remove it to shave down the bottom of the nut. there isn't any paint holding it on at the edges, and I scored the edges with a razor blade.

So, what procedure do people use to remove their nuts? ? What type of adhesive would they have used while manufacturing it?

[charvelguy]

X-acto saw. I would try to break the bond first with a tip of a x-acto knife. Make sure you wear safety glasses in case it snaps or breaks and shoots off. A small file too will take it out.

[straycat]

Just file down the top of the nut and cut the string slots lower.If you want to take it off score the sides and front and use a small screwdriver and a small hammer and tap from the fingerboard side of the nut it should pop right off.
If is a Fender strat type nut just tap from the sides and push it out of the slot.

[charvelguy]

thats better advice.. it should be able to pop out if tapped from the sides but some cheapies I've had required some more intensive means.

[drockilles]

My wife does it for me sorry, couldn't resist...

[jcm800x]

It all starts with lotion for me.

[mm2002]

It all starts with lotion for me.

And a good magazine!

[GWARGHOUL]

My fiance used to do it.

Lately, I've been having to do it myself.

[straycat]

Mine swallows

[mm2002]

Mine swallows

Your hand swallows??
Man, I gotta learn that trick! That would cut down on the laundry bill drastically huh!

[StukaJU87]

Your hand swallows??
Man, I gotta learn that trick! That would cut down on the laundry bill drastically huh!

:ROTF: Mark, when you find out the secret, pm me.

[sl2lover]

Mine swallows

Mine spits it out!!

[RobRR]

Man Ive tried my hardest (pun intended ) to stay out of this thread... but I just couldnt!

[Newc]

If the nut is in a slot like Fender, you can tap it on the end to slide it out. If it's not in a slot like a Gibson LP, but just on a shelf, remove the trussrod cover to get it out of the way, then get a very wide flathead screwdriver, rest it at the base of the nut on the fretboard, and gently tap the end of the screwdriver with a small hammer or another screwdriver handle. Start at one end of the nut and work your way to the other.

Most plastic nuts these days have little dowels on the bottom and they fit into little holes in the shelf of the neck. You not only have to break the glue seal holding them on, but also the dowels. They're only about as thick as a toothpick, and not very long.

[maxboost]

Charvelguy and Newc, it is a fender style. i did tap it on the side and got it removed but a small amount of the nut plastic remained stuck to the fretboard. So, I'll just carefully dremel that off and shave about 1/8" off the bottom. I'll probably replace it eventually with a lock nut or a better nut. It is kind of soft plastic. I'm experimenting with it. I just bought it originally for a cheap body but who knows what I'll end up doing with it. It is a G. Burton (bridgecraft) strat. here is an example: wow they more than doubled the price since I bought mine. yeah i know they get you with the shipping though, and UPS brokerage fee if your in Canada.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PURPLE-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-GIG-BAG-CASE-STRAP-STRINGS_W0QQitemZ230018455130QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem