The baking soda and super glue trick

"Can a broken nut can be fixed with baking soda and super glue?" Lou, a singer here in Athens, Ohio, brought this question to Dan Erlewine (along with the broken nut on his Yamaha guitar). As it turns out, the answer is yes and no...

For more information on tools and parts:

TUSQ XL Nuts

Gauged Saws

StewMac Super Glue

3M Gold Fre-Cut Sandpaper

Mixing/Sanding Spatula

Nut and Saddle Shaping Files

Drop-fill Toothpicks

[Yarrb]

Dan is a true Gentleman, and a magician when it comes to guitar repair, overly generous with his knowledge, and inventive when it comes to his and others inventions. Some years ago I emailed him to describe my success, based on his two books of instructions on guitar repair and set up, true to form Dan was gracious enough to reply to my email and I was thrilled to be able to perform these repairs to my God daughters guitar. Dan's a true Gentleman and an absolute Wizard in guitar repair. Thank you Dan for your generosity and professionalism !

[scrungus]

I went on YouTube to watch a few fun videos for about 30 minutes then go back to what I was doing.
5 hours later I know how to fix a nut on a guitar, what a nut on a guitar is, and how to properly handle a guitar.
Also I watched a few videos on people making homemade forks.

[hollyfoxThe]

Probably about 35 years ago I was in the Navy and my prize Guild D-55NT got dropped by the movers and the lower front bout was horribly cracked. I sent it to Dan and he repaired it and it played like new. Thanks Dan. You're a wizard.

[mjremy]

Wow, a true craftsman, what a pleasure to watch you work! Thank you for existing. This level of artistry in repairs and fixes is vanishing in America. Very nice work!!

[pemtax]

An old trick that I've used for years on many finesse repairs ... well done. I love watching a true craftsman at work. Cheers

[qwinq]

6-05-2016
Old people rock. They know stuff. Listen to them.

[planedr]

I came to youtube to see how to change the rear wiper motor on my Audi. Now I know how to fix a nut on a guitar. I didn't even know that was called a nut, and I don't even own a guitar. Thanks youtube rabbit hole. Now its off to see how to fill empty spray cans. 

[phlodel]

i mashed a thumb, the nail split and part of it flaked off. It left a gap that was driving me crazier. I used this trick to fill it in until the nail grows out. I'm an industrial mechanic and it's been holding up well to what my hands go through.

[Dustin]

Former museum conservator here. It should be noted that superglue is a cyanoacrylic resin, and over time will produce very dark discolouration on bone and ivory at points of contact, especially if exposed to sunlight or drastic humidity changes. Looks like a clever fix, but if it is an antique or otherwise special item, avoid superglue on bone and ivory.

[TVguy]

One of the VERY BEST YouTube channels to fix guitars! Thanks for your videos!!!

[scarakus]

'StewMac' sounds like some crazy kind of supper, with stew and macaroni mixed, lol..

[prestoncopenace]

Is it just me? Or is there something enjoyable about watching somebody work like this? I'm a guitar player and I really enjoyed this:)

[EdMuse]

I learned the baking soda and superglue trick from an article in Guitar Player magazine, probably 30 years ago, as a way to fill and re-drill the holes for a bolt-on neck. Worked like a charm.

[SSONLY]

i will never repair a guitar or do wood work like this...

but thank you for sharing, very clever work and professional indeed

[michaelgdellaquila]

This is gonna be one of those yt vids that gets recommended to everybody in a few years

[granbubba]

Wow, I'm impressed. Learn something new every day.

[pteddie]

Fascinating to watch. I know nothing about guitars, but I loved watching this video.

[asphaltcowboy]

I didn't know stew mac or dan erlewine were making YouTube videos I've been buying parts from stew mac since I was 16 years old. Perfect video for my 76 takamine repair I have to do .thanks Dan

[ecrusch]

Thanks for the easy to understand repair explanation and for sharing your talent.

[SuperDeut]

I can't believe I just watched this whole presentation...glued like to a good I don't even have a guitar and I wasn't even looking how to fix one! Lol! Unbelievable!!!! Enjoyed!