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Filing slot on bridge to fit thicker gauge strings
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2001 9:23 pm
by Justin
I have a 330 6 string and I play pretty aggressivly. I usually knock the Low E string out of it's slot on the bridge. I use heavier gauge strings. They're a custom set (Ernie Ball heavy top skinny bottoms)the E string is 52 gauge. Can I file the slot down with good results without worrying about breaking the string? How far is to far to file? I'd like the string to fit in there snug so I won't keep knocking it out. Thanks for the help..
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2001 5:02 am
by markthemd
I don't use TRIANGULAR files ,but as you may not want to spend the money for a nut file set ,in a pinch, one can do the job.I don't care for the long term effects of a 'V' slot ,which is what one of these files cuts.It does not allow the tension of the string to ride in the bottom of the slot rather it rides along the edges ,trying to get to the bottom of the slot.This causes some of the 'pinging' sounds that are so common.
You won't need to do that much filing .Look under Lapidary in the phone book and see if there is a supplier locally.They can get some interesting files.Another source of small files are gunsmiths and knife makers.
But in a pinch a set of jewlers files from a hardware store will work.
Are you the same person that has the troubled 325?