Why do you need to adjust the nut?

Installing Riot Works tuning machines on your guitar can significantly enhance tuning stability and performance. However, one common issue that arises is string breakage.  String breakage occurs when the string is not sliding across the nut freely. The tuner keeps pulling, but the string isn’t moving.  In this guide, we’ll walk you through adjusting the nut to fix this issue.

Understanding the Problem

The break angle refers to the angle at which the string crosses over the nut and heads towards the tuning machine.  When your guitar was setup, the nut was adjusted to allow the strings to pass freely across to accommodate your previous tuning machines.  The Riot Works tuners increase the break angle, and this means that the nut may need to be adjusted.

Why is the break angle important?

A shallow break angle can cause several issues:

• Buzzing, particularly on the lower strings.
• Loss of sustain and clarity.
• Difficulty staying in tune, especially with bends, vibrato, or tremolo use.
• Thin or weak tone.
• Acoustic guitars especially lose resonance, while electrics lose punch and sustain.

This problem is more pronounced on guitars with straight headstocks, where the tuners are positioned farther from the nut, leading to a shallower break angle

A higher break angle fixes these issues, but the nut may need adjusting to accommodate the change.

Determine if it needs adjusting

Bring the string up to tension slowly.  Pull the string up and out of nut slot carefully and feel if it is snagged or stuck.  If it is getting stuck, pulling it up will allow the tension from the nut to the tuner to balance with the fingerboard. 

Put the string back in it’s slot and give the tuning machines another turn or two and check the string again. 

Bring the string all the way to pitch by repeating the process.   

If at any point the string feels snagged or stuck, you need to make some adjustments to let the string travel freely.  

How to fix the problem:

1. Move the Washer – easy

The Riot Tuners come with a black nylon washer for each string.  Move that washer to the top of the headstock to raise the break angle slightly.  Repeat the string tension test.  This may easily fix your issue. If not, move on to step 2.  

2. File the Nut Slots

If the string still doesn’t sit properly in the nut, you may need to adjust the nut slot by filing it. Use a fine file to carefully round the slots toward the headstock, ensuring that you maintain the correct height and angle. Be cautious not to remove too much material, as this can affect the guitar’s playability. There are tutorial links at the bottom of this article.  If you’re not comfortable making the changes yourself, contact a local luthier.  Need a set of nut files?  Find them here.

3. Lubricate the Nut Slots

After adjusting the nut, it could still be that the string isn’t wonderfully smooth. This is where nut lube helps.  Apply a small amount of lubricant to the nut slots. This reduces friction and helps the strings move smoothly, preventing binding and improving tuning stability. Need some lube? Find it here.

Additional Tips

• Regular Maintenance: Periodically check the nut and tuners to ensure that the strings aren’t binding.

• Professional Setup: If you’re unsure about making these adjustments yourself, consider taking your guitar to a professional luthier.

• Quality Strings: Using high-quality strings can also contribute to better tuning stability and longevity.

Want to tune it like the pros?

Here are our favorite references and tutorials for adjusting the nut:

Adjust the break angle at the nut

Correctly fix guitar string nut binding