360/12CW setup advice needed

kranz · Post by **kranz** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 4:36 pm

I bought a very nice used 360/12CW. When I received it, it was set up with some heavy gauge flat-wound strings and the neck had way too much relief in it, making it really unplayable. No matter, I thought. I’ll replace the strings and adjust the truss rod and I’ll be in business. I finally got around to taking a closer look at it today. I replaced the washers under the truss rod adjusting nuts. I found one washer was deformed and was self-destructing. Then I was able to properly remove the excess relief in the neck. Having done that, a problem with the nut (the nut at the head of the fingerboard) revealed itself. The slot in the nut for one of the strings (5th course, treble string) was cut way too deep, causing the string to actually rest on the first fret when unfretted. The other slots appear OK. The previous owner apparently solved the problem by adding bend to the neck.

So, I’d like some advice on how to fix the problem properly. As I see it, I could either replace the nut with a new one or I could partially “fill in” the problem slot to make it the proper depth. Opinions pro and con appreciated.

Also as a point of curiosity, there was a piece of masking tape with the letters “ML” on it in the truss rod cavity. Anybody have an idea what this is? Are these the initials of the guitar tech that screwed up this setup? Could they be the initials of the previous owner? Was it put there at the RIC factory? Or is it a “secret message”? Anybody recognize ML?

Thanks,

Kranz

grsnovi · Post by **grsnovi** » Thu Mar 21, 2002 4:10 am

Depending on how "handy" you are either task should be doable by you. Filling the slot can be done using cynoacrylate along with some sanding/powdered material from the nut (or from another). Don't get any of the cynoacrylate on the finish.

kranz · Post by **kranz** » Thu Mar 21, 2002 4:55 am

I've got a RIC factory pre-cut nut left over from a previous project. It appears to be identical to the one on the CW. I may opt to just do the replacement. Does RIC use glue to hold the nut in place? What kind do they use? Epoxy?

thanks,

kranz

ralph · Post by **ralph** » Thu Mar 21, 2002 3:40 pm

SEND IT TO MARK ARNQUIST, HE WILL MAKE IT PLAYABLE
YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE SAME GUITAR. WELL WORTH
THE EXPENSE