String Height and Fret Profile

[BoogieMKIIA]

Regarding a 2002 Studio Custom specifically.

I looked, couldn’t find (yet) - what is the Hamer spec for string height at the first fret? Or another measure of nut slot depth.  I found a general internet AI response saying 0.010” to 0.020”, E to E. One measurement method is feeler gauges, others press at the first or third fret. Whatever way you should really do it.

I found the Hamer fret wire spec, but not sure regarding profile versus a 1973 Gibson Les Paul fret. I’ll need to check what was used for the LP refret, but it is “smoother” than the Hamer, more square. Was there much variation between Hamer fret dress coming out of the factory? I’m considering having the frets lightly dressed but unsure how much difference that would make. Certainly not worth a refret just to see and the current ones have low miles. And, binding.

[Jimbilly]

I've been messing around with lowering nut slots this past year with good results, a quick and dirty check is: if the gap above the first fret when 'open' is significantly larger than 2nd fret gap (when fretted at first fret) it needs some lowering.  Hamer seems to have had very good nut QC, but you don't know if the nut on there is original or not if you bought used, and I've seen a few guitars with replaced nuts that were never filed to fit, - there's lots of room for improvement on those! I shoot for the nut slots the same height as the frets, sort of like a zero-fret would be.

My favorite method so far is to find a scrap string piece that is even with or slightly bigger/taller than the frets, and lay that up against the nut (important that it is right up next to the nut) and use that as a sort of temporary 'zero fret' and cut the slots until the file bumps the scrap string.  I'll add a pic, that file angle is a bit steep, but you get the idea.  I have a little parts box with string scraps of varying thickness just for this. It seems that acoustic /bronze strings might be easier on the files long term than something like stainless strings.

Edited October 9, 2025 by Jimbilly

[velorush]

Another metric I find helpful is to fret the string in question at the second fret, then press it (with the other hand) at the first fret. If the nut is the correct height there should be little to no movement in the string (or at least that's what I've both experienced and read). 

[BoogieMKIIA]

I checked nut slot height on th Studio Custom, a Les Paul and a Tele.
 

1. First method was to press at the third fret and check for a small gap at the first fret. All three guitars looked similar, very little clearance to just touching the first fret.
2. Feeler gauge at first fret, not pressing the strings. A 0.018” feeler just went between the fret and string. Perhaps a little tight on the Les Paul, but all similar to my weak eyes.
3. Music City Bridge nut slot gauge. All were just above 0.005” with some variation string to string and guitar to guitar.

The differences are in the weeds to my ability, I’ll take the Studio to a pro to check the nut and frets. The nut is original as I can see the vintage natural tint covering where the nut meets the neck, and missing a little higher where the nut is polished. Glasses said around 0.004” is good for a Tele, perhaps you could go lower but not much - assumes I measured correctly.

i still wonder how the Hamer factory set them up.

 

 

 

[topekatj]

2 hours ago, BoogieMKIIA said:

I checked nut slot height on th Studio Custom, a Les Paul and a Tele.
 

1. First method was to press at the third fret and check for a small gap at the first fret. All three guitars looked similar, very little clearance to just touching the first fret.
2. Feeler gauge at first fret, not pressing the strings. A 0.018” feeler just went between the fret and string. Perhaps a little tight on the Les Paul, but all similar to my weak eyes.
3. Music City Bridge nut slot gauge. All were just above 0.005” with some variation string to string and guitar to guitar.

The differences are in the weeds to my ability, I’ll take the Studio to a pro to check the nut and frets. The nut is original as I can see the vintage natural tint covering where the nut meets the neck, and missing a little higher where the nut is polished. Glasses said around 0.004” is good for a Tele, perhaps you could go lower but not much - assumes I measured correctly.

i still wonder how the Hamer factory set them up.

 

 

 

Maybe @mirrorimij can comment.

[scottcald]

John Suhr once commented when he was on ToneTalk that he frets at the third fret and there should be just a tiny hint of clearance at the first, like paper to business card clearance. 

[BoogieMKIIA]

56 minutes ago, scottcald said:

John Suhr once commented when he was on ToneTalk that he frets at the third fret and there should be just a tiny hint of clearance at the first, like paper to business card clearance. 

Thanks, all look OK by that method. I hope to take the Studio Custom to RS Guitarworks before the end of the year to check everything out and do any work that might be needed.

[BoogieMKIIA]

Update on this older thread. I took the Studio Custom to RS Guitarworks today to see what they thought of the frets, nut and setup. Also had binding in the lower cutaway that was starting to detach. They thought the frets might have been leveled but not crowned at some point before i got it, but the guitar looked unused when i got it. They called a few hours after I left, to update what to do. Good to know they took a closer look before starting work.

Final plan is a gentle level and crown, check the nut slots, do a setup and fix detaching binding (found it on the neck as well). RS told me it will play like it should when completed. Waiting is the hardest part.

 

[BoogieMKIIA]

Picked up the guitar today. Only have about 10 minutes of unplugged play time so far and it plays great. I was expecting the fretwork to be very good and it is. I was hoping somehow the sound coming out of the wood would be better and it is. The nut slots were adjusted for string height and the top of the nut was lowered so the strings aren’t buried in it like before. Needs some amp time as Bob also adjusted the pickups.

Wild to think I’ve had it 8 years and didn’t know how good it could play.