Worth replacing the nut on an old Yamaha FG-180?

itm

I've taken up guitar lessons again after a break of 35 years (!). I still have my old Yamaha FG-180, which sounds beautiful but is in a bit of a state. The nut has worn away: a couple of the strings are seated in bits of paper in the nut to stop them buzzing but there's still buzzing.

I was wondering whether it would be cost-effective to have the nut replaced on such an old guitar? I understand that it's a bit of a classic of its genre, but have no idea how much I'd expect to pay for the work.

Can anyone offer any advice or guidance on the likely cost of this sort of work? I'm based in Richmond (West London).

TIA for any feedback.

richardhomer

Old Yamaha FGs are great.

Definitely worth getting the work done.

I'd expect it to cost around £40, plus strings.

itm

Thanks for the reply. Would that £40 be for the part only, or would you expect fitting for that as well?

richardhomer

The nut itself will cost pennies - the expense is in the skill of someone fitting it, cutting the fret slots the right distance apart and to the right depth (and width).

With the right tools (you need specialist files to shape the string slots properly) - it is a job you could tackle yourself - though there is plenty of opportunity to mess things up, particularly removing the old nut without damaging the guitar.

Getting a pro to do it is money well spent.

itm

Thanks - that sounds reasonable. Now I just need to find a local pro that won't charge me the earth!

richardhomer

Charlie Chandlers Guitar Experience quote £50 on their site (ooop North, things are a bit cheaper!)

That said - I'd far rather pay a bit more for a good job than save a few quid and have my guitar messed up.

svejk

Hi itm - I see you're in Richmond. Not too far from Ripon, where Jim Fleeting  will do you a great job. He never tries to do too much to your guitar (ie he won't talk you into spending more than you need to), and is a top bloke. I have no connection, apart from being a happy customer

http://jimfleetingguitars.com

itm

Ha ha wrong Richmond - I'm in Surrey! More's the pity, as I was hoping for a good local recommendation :0(

svejk

Too bad! Not *too* far though. Make a day of it. They've got a Weatherspoons right on the market square.

steamabacus

@itm If you can make it down to Crystal Palace, I can recommend Jon Dickinson. He's made and fitted bone nuts on two of my guitars and he's done a top job (not expensive, either).

Really nice bloke. Also, you'd be able to check out his line of rather nice amplifiers while you're there.

itm

Thanks for the recommendations. It turns out that there's a Charlie Chandler Guitar experience not far from me in Hampton Wick - I'll give them a shout.

xSkarloey

Hey, another Richmond guitarist. In the heart of the Surrey Delta my friend...

Yes, Charlie Chandler's is very good. Heartily recommend them and they'll definitely see you right. 

Another place I've had work done is Ritz Music in Putney (though that was a fair while ago now, but I assume the work is still the same quality). 

I've never had anything done at Chandlers in Kew but I think there's a few folk on the Boards who'd put in a good word for them.  

I'd say what Richard's quoting at £50 from their website would make sense for prices round here though. 

This thread reminded me that I need a new nut on my cheaper acoustic. The one I paid £50 for new...

itm

Skarloey said:

This thread reminded me that I need a new nut on my cheaper acoustic. The one I paid £50 for new...

Yeah funny you should say that - if I remember correctly I paid about £30 for this when I bought it in the 70s :0(

itm

So I just phoned Charlie Chandlers and it turns out the all-in cost would actually be about £100 including setup, which is alot more than I was hoping to pay. They did say that a repair might be possible though, rather than replacement, so I might take it down there for a looksie

steamabacus

Charlie Chandler's have a top reputation but that also means top prices (and waiting times usually).

It was a few years ago but the last time I got Jon Dickinson the make and fit a new nut on my Ibanez cost me £25 if I remember correctly. I always tell him to save time and money on the full setup (I can do that myself) which keeps the price down, but I'm sure it wouldn't set you back £100 with Jon or another smaller concern. Charlie Chandler's do charge top whack.

xSkarloey

I'm guessing £100 would be based on £50 for a new nut and £50 for a set up where they check everything. 

It would be a top-notch job, but depends whether you think the guitar (and or the set up) is worth it.

I mean, if there's not other issues like truss rod adjustment or fret wear, you might just want them to fit a nut. 

Maybe give Ritz music a call?  

@steamabacus Where's Jon Dickinson based out of interest?  

EDIT: and all that said, if you don't get quotes coming in at much less, £100 is less than the cost of a new guitar. If you're serious about getting back into it again, and the guitar sounds great, perhaps it deserves the TLC and it'll be money well spent. 

itm

Crystal Palace would be a bit of a trek for me, but I've managed to find a chap in Putney (Guitar Aid) who will fit a nut for £25. I'm taking it over to him this afternoon to take a look.

xSkarloey

Never heard of Guitar Aid but looks good. 

Let us know how you get on. 

steamabacus

@Skarloey

Jon's at Antenna Studios in Crystal Palace (links in my original post). I highly recommend checking out his aluminium-shelled amps.

gusman2x

I would expect to pay £30-40 tops, that includes the nut. If they're not wrecked, you could get away with keeping the current strings. A set up probably wouldn't be required. Guess it depends on what you're going to be playing, but Acoustics generally have much higher action that electrics, so you shouldn't need a fret level. Every Yamaha I've played has had a good bridge height (especially old Japanese ones like yours), so really the only other thing that could be required would be an adjustment of the truss rod to either add more or less relief to the neck. Not £100 of work there.

Just goggle your local luthiers, or check the sticky thread in set up on this forum to find people in your area.

Happy strumming.

jimmyguitar

There's a 'Ritz Music' in Richmond on Sheen Road, they'll do it... otherwise I also recommend Guitar Aid in Putney