Ibanez York 628/12 Restoration: Part Three

After nearly a year, I've finally completed restoration work on this Ibanez York 628/12. Now, since you're already here, I highly recommend that you check out previous posts on this restoration; namely Part One and Part Two.

Squier California Series Strat Upgrade | Part 9

Related Posts

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9

Custom Aluminum Nut

Hi there folks! It's been quite awhile since ole' Blackie's been up to anything, besides switching from 11s to 12s (and liking it). Anyhow, I'd always wanted to replace his stock plastic nut, and so began a series of experiments with various pre-slotted plastic and cow bone nut blanks in late February. 

But nope, it just was not happening. Then, after ruining my hacksaw blade on brass, I decided to try aluminum instead. Sorry, you won't find any aluminum nuts at Woh Fatt. Got to make them yourself. Took me about a week of sawing, filing, shaping, slotting, fitting, polishing and testing a couple of prototypes, before finally choosing the winning candidate. 

Good buddy Izzat Jalil was the first to field test the new nut out on a gig at the Zenith Hotel in March, and reported that it was "sweet." Having tried it out at RF Musicworks and during rehearsals for the MSSM opening ceremony in May, I quite agree with Izzat. It's much smoother than the old nut, with more midrange and twang. Guess I'll be sticking with this one.

Photo Credits
Izzat Jalil at the Zenith - Don Quek.
Raptai Penuh Perasmian Pembukaan MSSM - Tengku Hisamuddin Tengku Mohamed.

 

Stock white plastic nut

Stock nut after removal

Assortment of pre-slotted Strat nuts

A bone nut blank. This one broke in two.

Blackie's new aluminum nut.

Yes, there is a slight gap. I can live with that.

Izzat field testing the new aluminum nut

Stadium Darul Makmur, May 2013

Blackie/Korg AX3000G