Replacing Nut On Short Scale HB Guitar

[spirittoo]

I have a Harley Benton 3/4 Strat, I want to change out the plastic nut with a TUSQ nut. The problem is the replacement nut is too big. I tried reducing it to the right size with sandpaper and a file, but after installing it the notes on the first fret are sharp.

I got another TUSQ nut, I measure the original nut and it is 41.3 mm long ... 5.0 mm high and 2.9 mm thick.

The replacement nut is 42.7 mm long 7.6 mm high and 5.8 mm thick. There is a plastic piece on the guitar between the nut and the headstock that I broke removing the old nut. I piece what was left back together and glue it on. If I remove that plastic which gives me 9.5mm space so the new nut will fit will that cause a problem?

Also I guess I would need to reduce the height of the nut from 7.6 to 5.0 mm correct?

Thanks for reading my post.

[Russ C]

I didn’t follow all the info you provided but I assume any nut you put on will be in the same position so if intonation is the issue my immediate question is have you cut the slots down to fret height?

[spirittoo]

I did cut the slots, but I'm not sure they are at fret height. I will check it.

[Russ C]

Originally Posted by spirittoo

I did cut the slots, but I'm not sure they are at fret height. I will check it.

.. of course fret height is correct for nut slots but we err on the high side to avoid accidentally over cutting which must be repaired or replaced. I trust that’s not advice you needed. A very small safety margin will not affect intonation enough to trouble anyone .. hoping it goes (or went) well.

[spirittoo]

Wellsir ... what I really want to know is if I remove the plastic part that I damage so the new nut will fit ... will that cause problems. Is that plastic piece really needed? You can see how much more narrow it is with that part in my measurements .

Thanks for reading my post ... Happy New Year!