Correcting Off Centre Nuts

[Algiman]

Once you get over the smutty title .....

The locking nut on my Jem is off centre to the point where it hangs over the high e side of the neck slightly. Don't you just love Ibanez quality control?

It isn't enough to seriously hamper playing but it is enough to be irritating. I've done a search of the forum but came up with nothing conclusive.

There isn't enough play to adjust the nut any further, and this guitar is way beyond any warrantee period.

I think that there is some variation in the position of the holes between different supposedly identical locking nuts, but if I order a new one I have no guarantee that they'll match the neck any better.

I'm very reluctant to mod the wood at that point of the neck.

Any suggestions?

[Ibateur]

I'd doubt the neck more than the nut. Have you measured things?

One recommendation I can make at this point is post a picture, and then you'll get experts to comment on options.

[Algiman]

From what I've read here, neither the nut nor the neck are precision drilled, it's just a case of whether they are a close enough match or not, and a nut is a lot cheaper than a neck!

I'll dismantle it and get precise measurements later on.

I'm not sure what a photo will show, other than an off centre nut, but I'll take a few shots. Can anyone host?

[Rich]

Take a Dremmel bit and relieve the bass side of the through hole and the head hole until you can slide it over far enough.

[Algiman]

Isn't it a bit dangerous removing wood from the weakest part of the neck?

[Ibateur]

That's what I thought Rich (the "experts") would recommend with the pictures, but I guess no need now. I don't think removing that little amount of wood would be much of a problem. If the neck is going to go, it isn't going to go based on a mm of wood. My worry is that you'll end up with some sideways play on the nut, unless you fill it with something.

[Algiman]

Several extremely nervous hours of gentle filing later and the guitar is back together, and perfect. Let's see how well it holds up to my abuse for the next couple of years!