Loose nut... problem? glue?

[hoosfoos]

I recently purchased a used Seagull Entourage Grand Rustic Parlor guitar, to use as a travel guitar/camping guitar/beater, etc. While the guitar is generally in good condition, when I first changed the strings a couple of weeks after purchased, I found that the nut is not attached to the guitar. The nut is just held in place by the strings, and it generally works fine. But is it? Should I try to address this? Glue it? If so, what type of glue should I use? Or would you just leave it as is?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[johbren]

I got a gull from 2005 mini jumbo that the nut is loose. A little glue will work. I never did glue mine and it works fine.

[tnez13]

It's been asked before. Doesn't seem to be a consensus on whether a free or glued nut really matters. The nut on my guitar is loose and it's not an issue to me.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=185281
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=461854
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=371073

[tadol]

A small dot of simple white or yellow glue will keep it from dropping off the guitar when changing strings, but still be very easy to remove if (when) you need to -

[BT55]

Typically nuts are installed with two small drops of CA glue. It firmly attaches it and also makes it easy to remove. Glue the nut back in.

[murrmac123]

Just to note that the drops of glue should be applied to the face of the nut, i.e to the end of the fretboard, and not to the base of the nut i.e between the nut and the headstock.

[mirwa]

It is perfectly fine to put two small drops of super glue onto the base of the nut slot.

So much mis information on the internet.


Steve

[John Arnold]

It is perfectly fine to put two small drops of super glue onto the base of the nut slot.

So much mis information on the internet.

There is a valid reason for not putting glue on the bottom. It can chip neck wood out when the nut is removed later.

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

There is a valid reason for not putting glue on the bottom. It can chip neck wood out when the nut is removed later.

No matter what process or method you do, risks are involved, be that glued at the bottom, glued to the fretboard or glued on the ends of the nut, all pose risks to the instrument

It is still a perfectly fine process to put two small drops on the base of the nut.

Steve

[nikpearson]

Wood glue, white or yellow, does not adhere very well to plastic or bone but will hold the nut in place well enough. A couple of small dots will secure your nut whilst leaving it relatively easy to remove if needed - the glue should break off the nut itself rather than the wood of the neck or fingerboard.

Superglue will bond well to the nut material and is more likely to cause wood to come away with the nut when removed.

I’d never thought to put the glue on the nut face, that is adhering to the end of the fingerboard, what would be the advantage of doing this?

[redir]

Another thing about loose nuts is that when you are stringing them up they can slip to one side unless you tension up evenly. It's not like the end of the world or anything but I don't understand why anyone would ever want one loose. As mentioned, a dot of glue on the face and you can pop it out of place with a very minor blow.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by nikpearson

I’d never thought to put the glue on the nut face, that is adhering to the end of the fingerboard, what would be the advantage of doing this?

Many woodworkers don't bother applying glue to end-grain surfaces because glued end-grain has very little strength. (Think of gluing two bunches of drinking straws together end-to-end.) In the case of attaching a nut, very little strength is needed to hold the nut in position and having a low-strength glue joint makes it easy to remove the nut if/when desired.

A very small dab of glue is sufficient to hold the nut in place, regardless of to which surfaces it is applied.

[mercy]

Charles has the correct answer.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by mercy

Charles has the correct answer.

Correct!

VERY small dab of glue!

[mawmow]

Interesting post. You may glue the nut or not. It will not move anyway. As I changed many nut on my guitars, I am used not to glue the new one at least until I am perfectly satisfied with string height. I was suggested nail polish to glue them.