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So, my first 2 builds I avoided making my own nuts and just ordered a couple Gibson-sized Tusq nuts and they worked out fine - I waited until after paint to put them in - mainly because I do my fret dressing post-paint and know that gives me an accurate height on the nut, then I simply sanded the bottoms to get them right. Since then, I have acquired the goods to make my own out of some bone and have roughed out one but am thinking that I may need to do this post-paint like the others.

My question I am putting out there is which way do you favor and why? I kinda like the idea of the finish going right up to the nut how you see on factory builds... my guess is that some of you may get it to size, filed/sanded on the edges, but then at post-paint, put the slots in...so what do YOU do?

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"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

I glued them in, rough finished to size and shape, with string grooves already started. Then I finished the instrument. After stringing, final setup and shaping, buffing. Looks great IMO.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

After finish for me.
I did a nut with the finish up against it,
and when I removed the nut,
the finish got buggered up.
I guess it would have been better if I knifed the finish first.

If you do it before finishing you can that "finished in " look. Moe's great at that. Then you slot it after finishing, and carefully file the top down to the correct height (IE slots not too deep looking). Looks cool, but if you accidentally slot too deep you're kinda screwed 'cuz you have to fill the slot and people notice. When the slots wear out you have to score the laquer to remove the nut cleanly.

I do that with brass nuts for my basses.

If it's a guitar that will get a bone nut I make the nut after finishing.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Thanks for the tips gentlemen - I think I will be more comfortable putting them in post-paint. I will get it close as possible, but leave some "room for error"

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

You could also fit before finish,
then file away the finish for final fit.
Lot of f's in that post.