First broken string within years! D'oh!

[Steelpriest]

Yikes! Today it happened! I broke the first string within years. I happened on my new Flying V. The high E string broke when I bent the G on the 15th fret to A. Well it broke directly at the nut. I mentioned in the review on the main site the nut seemingly needs some revisiting, it´s a bit sloppy, and here now is the evidence. It must have some sharp edges. Any comments how to do it right in a DIY job when you have not the required tools. Nut files are quite expensive and I don´t wanna spent money on a complete set and maybe don´t need it any further. Any advise is highly appreciated. Once I reamed up the slots in a nut with a folded piece of fine sandpaper, well it worked quite okay. But how easily could one ruin the whole nut... So maybe you have suggestions.

Steele

[ZacAttack]

Ok I am no expert but here is what I do when I find a sharp spot on the nut or the bridge. I take the string that broke and use it as a file. Gently on the nut and a bit harder on the bridge. Worked wonders on the quilt top bridge. I was poping D strings every other time I played. Each time I did I used the string as a file and ran it back and forth accross the bridge to remove any sharp spots or spurs. I did not want to over do it so it took about three times after breaking a string to make it right. I have not broken a D in 2 months. If you decide to use this method on your nut, just make sure you take it easy and dont go over board. And you may even try an A and then a D string lightly to get down to where the E didn't get. For the non wound string nuts and bridges I found a little file called a pin rasp down at Home Depot and gently went over any trouble spots I found. When using either method, remember to just do a little at a time. Strings are cheap compared to a new nut or bridge.


Hope this helps bro
Zac