Bill Fels, The Guitar Factory

Measure the following parameters carefully, using an accurate ruler or calipers, to within .03 inches or .8mm: length, width, height and "E to E" string spacing. The diagram above illustrates where the measurements should be taken.

Measure the length and width at the base of the nut. Some nuts taper towards the top and will render and inaccurate reading if measured elsewhere.  Measure the height at the tallest part of the nut, which is not always at the center of the nut.  For the E-to-E spacing measurement, measure as closely as possible to the center of each string slot. (high E to the low E)

The width is the most important measurement to match with a replacement nut.  The E-to-E spacing measurement is the next most important parameter.  It determines the string spacing on the neck and how close the strings are to the edge of the fingerboard; it is not adjustable.  Unlike the length, width, or height of a nut, string spacing cannot be adjusted to fit.

Should you find a nut that is a little too long, high, or wide, you can easily remove the excess material by working the part back and forth along a piece of 600-grit sandpaper placed first on a flat surface.

How to Measure Your Nut

Click here for the TUSQ FAQ page.