One of the hardest tasks for any beginner or novice luthier when setting up a guitar is ensuring the correct string height at the nut.
And that’s where a quality set of specialized nut files are invaluable. There are alternatives, such as using super-cheap eBay nut files or even welding nozzle cleaners, but the results are not good.
You need to ensure that you are creating a good fit for the string. It shouldn’t be too deep, nor too wide, and also not too tight or too slack. It just has to be right, if it isn’t, there will be issues.
Therefore, if you’re taking your Lutherie seriously and are in a position to invest in a good-quality nut file set, go for it, the results will more than speak for themselves.
It’s also worth considering the cost of a set of nut files compared to a professional setup. If the only thing stopping you from doing your own setups perfectly is a nut file set, then the investment will have probably paid for itself within 2-3 setups. Alternatively, if some of your guitar-playing friends also do their own set-ups, buy a set between you. After all, you won’t be using them most of the time, so swapping them between friends whenever needed is an excellent idea.
