Need help--Replacing nuts on old Supro Comet

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 1:26 pm

Hey all, I've been away for awhile--good to be back. So I've got this old Supro double six, it looks like this one only it's a doubleneck:

Both of the nuts are broken. Got replacements from Stew-Mac, but I need help removing the old ones. Any of you know how to do this without destroying yourself or the guitar? The originals seem to be bone and are set into a routed slot. Glued in, I assume, 'cause they won't budge. So what's your technique? Heat up a craft knife & slide it in? Break it off flush & Dremel a new slot?? Your help is much appreciated.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 20 Oct 2011 1:36 pm

Well,,, on regular guitars, I just put a block of wood up against the nut, and give it a pop with my assembly hammer. I was thinking you might be able to "tap" them out from the side, but I'd be worried about knocking a chip out of the other side of the fretboard or body. Better closeup pics might help. How about using a small "touchup" iron, or something, to heat up the nut enough to make the glue soften, and just pulling it straight up. I'd be very careful about the start of the pull. You gotta make sure the glue is soft, or you might chip the fretboard. Hope someone else has some good ideas. This is all I could think of!
JB

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 2:08 pm

John, thanks for the suggestion--Reckon I'll give it a try & let you all know how it turns out!

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 20 Oct 2011 2:16 pm

I'd definitely try the heat first. I have this tiny old iron for touching up your clothes. Think it's called a "travel iron." Got it at a second hand store.

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 3:00 pm

Here's a pic of the existing setup by the way:

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 20 Oct 2011 3:04 pm

Is the nut in a slot? Or just butted up to, and glued to the end of the fret board?

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 3:07 pm

Oh, it's in a slot all right. No idea how deep it is, but as you can see the nut is hemmed in front, back, & sides.

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 3:10 pm

here's a pic from the head side:

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 20 Oct 2011 3:10 pm

Then I'd try heat first, with a pull up with pliers, when I was sure the glue was soft. Probably animal hide glue, which will melt with the application of heat. You can probably do it with a regular iron. Wish someone else would chime in,,,,,,.....

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 3:11 pm

Gotta go sand a body right now, will return later.........

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 20 Oct 2011 4:07 pm

If its bone, a little heat should do the trick, though I'd recommend a little tin foil barrier to protect the iron just in case its not bone and gets a little gooey.

Jason Hull · Post by **Jason Hull** » 20 Oct 2011 4:24 pm

Michael Aspinwall · Post by **Michael Aspinwall** » 20 Oct 2011 5:13 pm

Well I got it--Guess I didn't get the first one hot enough, when I went to pull it out with the pliers, it conveniently broke off pritnear flush with the surface......so out comes the Dremel. Maybe I just got lucky with the second one, but next time try this first: Get out your LITTLE hammer (I usually use the hammer as a last resort, this time I shoulda used it first), give it a sharp tap fore, short tap aft, when you can see it's moving you know it's loose, grab those pliers & out she comes. Simple as that. Oh yeah, these nuts are bone for sure, and the groove is about 1/8" deep. Thanks everybody for chipping in on this one---BTW, anybody know where I can get the little "Supro" badge that goes on the lower bout??