Chrome nuts, screws and soft metal

Devine · #1 01-09-2001, 02:56 PM

This is an extremely irritating problem I have now had twice. Screw threads inside chrome nuts tend to strip easily beause

a) the screws that hold the pressure pads down are not long enough. *They are currently 2/8" and should be 3/8"; only the the topmost two threads are engaged creating an unstable, wobbly juncture that strips over time.

b) Nuts should be manufactured from metal equally as durable as the screws used in it.

I am very upset, as I dropped $250 to replace my old nut. *3/8" is a non-standard screw length, so finding them is a bear. *I plan to take this issue up with Ibanez directly.

-Devin

Rich · #2 01-09-2001, 04:01 PM

You paid HOW MUCH to replace the nut???? Who saw you comming??

This would be an issue for you to take up with Gotoh, I doubt they sell/make nuts in different metal grades.

Devine · #3 01-09-2001, 05:57 PM

Actually, I should qualify that. *

Replacement nut - $50
Luthier work to drill a new hole in the neck because Ibanez no longer sells correctly spaced 43 mm JS 10th nuts - $200.

Blah.

-Devin

Rich · #4 01-09-2001, 06:47 PM

The look on the lutiers face as he ran your credit card - Priceless!

:biggrin:

Devine · #5 01-09-2001, 10:21 PM

He charged me $85 bucks for a set-up, which I didn't really want, but he said couldn't be helped and $115 for the drilling. *Yeah, I know. *

-Devin

littlegreenman · #6 01-10-2001, 02:09 AM

hehe, 2/8" would be 1/4"
anyway, the bolts aren't hard to find in a 3/8" length, you should be able to get them at any bolt supply house but as they are metric you're right, 3/8" is not available. *You need a 9.5mm long bolt. *You will probably need to buy a 12mm long bolt but a couple minutes with a Dremel tool and a 60 degree triangular file will shorten them up in no time. *I stripped out a nut once too, here is a cheaper fix, take the nut and pads to a machine shop and get them to drill out and re-tap the bolt holes to the next bigger size, I think I went with 1/4-28 UNF bolts. *These bolts are available in many lengths and are a little deeper thread that is harder to strip out.
No offense, but for what that luthier charged you, you could have gotten a new nut machined to the exact specifications of your old one and had it made out of a stronger alloy of steel that would also be tougher to strip. *Or for about $20 had it retapped. *I've done a couple nuts at our machine shop that the local music store sends over.
Jeremy

toshiro · #7 01-10-2001, 05:13 AM

$118 for drilling?!?!?! $50 for a $25 nut?!?!?!

Geez, I'm starting to wonder if we're not charging enough for labor... He&#0124;&#0124;, where I work, we only charge like $40 for a bone nut, shaped, slotted, and installed.. Going by those prices, we should get $120...

Devine · #8 01-10-2001, 04:35 PM

Toshiro-

That's $50 for a locking nut on a limited edition guitar. *

Jeremy-

Yeah, it was expensive, but I didn't know any better. *Where were you last year at this time when I had my original troubles? *Kidding.

-Devin

iain · #9 01-10-2001, 05:03 PM

It's a shame you couldn't have done it for "... a nickel, some lint and a french fry?"

:lame:

littlegreenman · #10 01-10-2001, 08:47 PM

Sorry dude, I've only had internet for about 5 months now.
I'd do it for " a nickel, some lint, and a french fry"
provided it was a really big nickel, a Mcdonald's french fry, and belly button lint! LOL

Devine · #11 01-10-2001, 08:50 PM

Ooh. *Point, Iain.

-Devin

iain · #12 01-10-2001, 09:05 PM

Devin -