5700 Gretsch upgrades wider nut spacing Roller Nuts Benders

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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George Piburn
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5700 Gretsch upgrades wider nut spacing Roller Nuts Benders

Post by George Piburn »

The number one concern about the 5700's is the super narrow string spacing at the nut.


>>VIDEO<< CLICK

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GeorgeBoards to the Rescue - I've purchased a 5700 from a forum member (thank you) to measure and improve the playability and beyond.

1st off, these imports are the best I've found so far in overall design;
true 22.5 scale, nice quality tuner gears and buttons, good body thickness, quality woods.

I've designed and created a 3D printed Replacement Nut with much wider string spacing.
It fits inside the width of the neck at the install position. It is as close to the same shape & height as we can get it, except longer and better spacings.

This new part is easy to install with little need for Effort and Ingenuity on the owners part.
It is designed to work with the existing bridge, so only need to loosen the strings to install.

I tried to keep the hold down screws in the same position, but ended up widening them too.

In my effort we use a round toothpick to fill the existing screw holes and drilling new pilot holes with a 5/64 drill bit - by hand carefully.
I am including New Hold Down Stainless Steel Screws to fit.

The original nut fits the end of the fretboard with the spacing less that that width;
our replacement extends beyond the fretboard width and the low and high strings are aligned with the corners of the fretboard to keep the downward visual clean and accurate.

The final result is considerably better playability - Lettuce know whatca think.


>>Wide Spacing Roller VIDEO<< CLICK
Last edited by George Piburn on 7 Apr 2024 12:51 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Michael Miller
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Post by Michael Miller »

When and where are these available? I added a grover nut extender (as per lessons with Troy) and it helps but a real solution would be good.
Joseph Lazo
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Post by Joseph Lazo »

I have one of these Gretsch steels and although the string spacing could definitely be wider, what I've mostly been thinking is that the string height off the fretboard should be greater. Does your replacement nut sit any higher than the stock one?
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George Piburn
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Video Added

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Eric Dahlhoff
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Post by Eric Dahlhoff »

posted in wrong place... :roll:
Last edited by Eric Dahlhoff on 3 Apr 2024 11:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan)
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Doug Beaumier
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Post by Doug Beaumier »

That’s a great idea, George, and a much needed mod. That tight string spacing on the current Gretsch lap steel is a dealbreaker for me. I always warn beginners about that when they ask me what lap steel they should buy.
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George Piburn
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Thanks - but wait there's more

Post by George Piburn »

Eric , we can talk in detail --PM

Doug , thanks and glad you confirm my thoughts about the 5700's.

Beyond the nut they are a pretty nice import, 15 bucks and less that an hour effort = instant playability.

Now for the Roller Nut Folks.

We created a roller nut to fit the 5700 fretboard exactly, Now we have made it wide to the same spacings as the new static nut.

>>Wide Spacing Roller VIDEO<< CLICK
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Peter Funk
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Re: 5700 Gretsch upgrades to wider nut spacing -...

Post by Peter Funk »

George Piburn wrote:The number one concern about the 5700's is the super narrow string spacing at the nut.
You nailed it! That's the reason I changed mine as well:
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Luckily, I know some people at a precision mechanics workshop ...


I also changed the tuners for some Klusons (good idea!):
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And also installed Duesenberg Multibenders:
Image

Here's what it sounds: Bud's Bounce
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George Piburn
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Benders

Post by George Piburn »

Thanks Peter , great video.

Check out the New GeorgeBoards Low Cost Benders. >>VIDEO<< Click
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