Guitar NutBuster GNB-001-6 User manual

For Standard (6) String Electric and Acoustic Guitars
having a fretboard that ends at the nut.
These are guitars that typically have a headstock with (3) tuners on-each-side, but not always.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Use (Setup Guide A) for Standard (6) String Electric and Acoustic Guitars
having a fretboard that extends past the nut.
Patents:
US 9,208,757
US 9,972,289
MADE IN USA Setup Guide (B)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved

Designed to be used on Standard (6) String Electric and Acoustic Guitars having a
common (1-3/8”, 1-13/32”or 1-7/16”) High E String to Low E String Spread at the Nut.
These are guitar models having a Total Nut Width of 1-11/16”(plus or minus 1/32”).
(See “Specifications”for Complete Guitar Compatibility Details)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved

Congratulations and Thank You for purchasing the
Guitar NutBuster®Tune Stabilizing System!
Proper setup and procedure by closely following this Setup Guide is key to gaining the most
benefit and having the very best experience possible while using the Guitar NutBuster®.
The Guitar NutBuster®offers significant control over the most common tuning problems
associated with a guitar’s nut however the overall tune stabilizing success will also depend upon
the quality and functionality of the guitars bridge hardware.
It is recommended to use a new set of guitar strings and the aid of a digital tuner during the
installation.
Contents:
Step 1: Preparing For Installation (Raising the Micro-Tuners) (1)
Step 2: Preparing For Installation (Raising the Clamp Blocks) (2)
Step 3: Initial Setup & Sliding Into Position (3)
Step 4: Lowering the Micro-Tuners and Clamp Blocks (5)
Step 5: Stretching-Out the Strings and Initial Tune-up (6)
Step 6: On-Board Micro-Tuners Initial Setup (7)
Step 7: Clamping Down/Tune Locking (9)
Step 8: Tuning Start Point For (Tremolo Equipped Guitars) (10)
Step 9: Final Tuning Adjustments (11)
Specifications: (13)
ONITRA, LLC
8984 Darrow Rd., Suite #2-109
Twinsburg, OH 44087
www.GuitarNutBuster.com
Intro
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved

Step
1.
Preparing For Installation (Raising the Micro-Tuners)
Loosen and raise all (6) Micro-Tuners (do not remove) in order to open up the string paths and
allow adequate clearance for the new strings to easily pass through during installation.
Blocked Micro-Tuner string paths.
(Blocked string paths)
(Fig.1)
Slightly raise Micro-Tuners by loosening. (Do Not Remove)
(Opened string path)
(Fig.2)
Allow adequate clearance for the new strings to easily pass through during installation.
(Opened string paths)
(Fig.3)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
(1)

Step
2.
Preparing For Installation (Raising the Clamp Blocks)
Using the (2.5mm) Allen key provided, loosen and raise all (3) Clamp Blocks (do not remove) in
order to open up the string paths and allow adequate clearance for the new strings to easily
pass through during installation. By patented design, the Clamp Blocks will automatically lift
upward when loosened alleviating the need for them to ever be removed. Reset the Allen Key
back onto its magnet holder when finished.
Blocked Clamp Block string paths.
(Blocked string paths)
(Fig.4)
Use the Allen Key provided to slightly raise the Clamp Blocks by loosening.
(Do Not Remove)
(Opened string path)
(Fig.5)
Allow adequate clearance for the new strings to easily pass through during installation.
Reset the Allen key onto its magnet holder when finished.
(Opened string paths)
(Fig.6)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Step
3.
Initial Setup & Sliding Into Position
The Guitar NutBuster®is installed by simply fishing the strings through it and into the guitar
tuners during a normal string change routine. Begin by removing all of the old strings. It is
recommended to use a new set of guitar strings and the aid of a digital tuner during installation.
This setup guide is for standard (6) string electric and acoustic guitars having a fret board that
ends at the nut. These are guitars that typically have a headstock with (3) tuners on-each-side,
but not always.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Use (Setup Guide A) for Standard (6) String Electric and Acoustic Guitars
having a fretboard that extends past the nut.
Stringing Up: Temporarily placing the Guitar NutBuster®on the fretboard is very helpful
during the initial installation. String up the guitar as normal while fishing them through the
Guitar NutBuster®and into the guitar tuners. Keeping a slight tension on each string as
they’re installed will gently hold the Guitar NutBuster®in place until all (6) strings have
been attached.
(Fishing the strings though the Guitar NutBuster®and into the guitar tuners)
(Fig.7)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
(3)

Sliding Into Position: With all strings now attached, hold the Guitar NutBuster®with
one hand and pull upward to maintain some tension on the strings. With your other
hand, slightly loosen each string just enough to safely lift-up and slide the Guitar
NutBuster®down the neck and then carefully up and over the nut into its proper working
position over the headstock. Once in place, slightly tighten each string back up to put
some tension back on them.
(Lift-up and slide the Guitar NutBuster®down the neck and then
carefully up and over the nut into its proper working position)
(Fig.8)
Proper Positioning: With this setup, the Guitar NutBuster®is suspended over the
headstock, positioned straight and parallel with the nut having each string centered
within the Micro-Tuners arched openings. It can be placed in direct contact with the
guitar’s nut (for best results) or can be slightly away from the nut to function properly.
(Suspended over the headstock, positioned straight and parallel with the nut and in direct
contact or slightly off of the nut, each string is centered within the Micro-Tuner arched openings)
(Fig.9)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Step
4.
Lowering the Micro-Tuners and Clamp Blocks
The Guitar NutBuster®should be suspended on the strings and located in its proper setup
position over the guitar neck headstock.
Slowly lower all (6) Micro-Tuners until they make contact with the string and then back
off each one by ¼ turn.
(Lower all (6) Micro-Tuners to within ¼ turn of contacting the strings)
(Fig.10)
Using the Allen key provided, slowly lower the Clamp Blocks until they become snug and
then back them off only by ¼ turn.
(Lower all (3) Clamp Blocks to within ¼ turn of being snug)
(Fig.11)
At this point, the Guitar NutBuster®should still slide on the strings and be located in its
proper position over the headstock with the Micro-Tuners and Clamp Blocks lowered to
within ¼ turn of being engaged.
(Located in its proper position over the headstock)
(Fig.12)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Step
5.
Stretching-Out the Strings and Initial Tune-Up
To avoid unnecessary tuning adjustments after the Guitar NutBuster®is put into use, it is
highly recommended to thoroughly stretch-out strings and re-tune guitar as needed
before proceeding.
(Thoroughly stretch-out strings and re-tune guitar as needed before proceeding)
(Fig.13)
Final Positioning Check List:
The Guitar NutBuster® is suspended over the headstock, straight and parallel with the nut.
It is placed in direct contact with the nut (for best results) or can be slightly away from the nut.
Each string is centered within the Micro-Tuner arched openings.
The Micro-Tuners are lowered to within ¼ turn of being in contact with the strings.
The Clamp Blocks are lowered to within ¼ Allen Key turn of being snug.
Note: Having an even and balanced operating position is extremely important to eliminate
the chance of any string buzz at the nut.
(Suspended over the headstock, positioned straight and parallel with the nut and in direct contact
or slightly away from the nut, each string is centered within the Micro-Tuner arched openings)
(Fig.14)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Step
6.
On-Board Micro-Tuners Initial Setup
The On-Board Micro-Tuners are used to conveniently make micro tuning adjustments after the
strings have been clamped down and locked into position. To properly utilize the Micro-Tuners
they must always be engaged and in contact with the strings. A non-engaged or loose Micro-
Tuner could potentially vibrate off the Guitar NutBuster®and become lost. Setting up the Micro-
Tuners “usable range”requires that each string first be slightly detuned using the (headstock
tuners) and then tuned back up to pitch using the (Micro-Tuners).
Micro-Tuner “Usable Range”Setup (Part 1):
The guitar should be in-tune with the Guitar NutBuster®suspended on the strings and
located in its proper working position over the headstock. Using the guitar’s headstock
tuner, very slightly de-tune the low “E”string by only a few cents from its proper pitch.
Note: Over de-tuning will significantly reduce the Micro-Tuner’s “Usable Range”
once they’re engaged.
(Use the guitar’s headstock tuner to slightly de-tune the low “E”string from its proper pitch)
(Fig.15)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Micro-Tuner “Usable Range”Setup (Part 2):
Slowly turn the low “E”Micro-Tuner clockwise until the string is engaged and is brought
back up to pitch. This should be accomplished with less than ½ turn or may require a
“reset”by repeating the de-tune adjustment as described in Micro-Tuner Setup (Part 1).
Be sure to leave enough Micro-Tuner thread range for future fine tuning adjustments.
Note: It is recommended to hold the Guitar NutBuster®from moving out of position with
your other hand during this procedure.
(Use the Micro-Tuner to slightly tune the low “E”string back up to proper pitch)
(Fig.16)
Tuning Up: Repeat the process of slightly de-tuning using the headstock tuners and
then bringing them back up to pitch using the Micro-Tuners for the remaining strings until
all Micro-Tuners are engaged and the entire guitar is back in-tune. Always be sure to
only de-tune the strings just enough to slightly use the Micro-Tuners to bring them back
up to proper pitch. This will leave an optimum Micro-Tuner “Usable Range”for future fine
tuning adjustments.
(Repeat the process of slightly de-tuning each string using the headstock tuners and then
bringing them back up to pitch using the Micro-Tuners for the remaining strings)
(Fig.17)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
(8)

Step
7.
Clamping Down/Tune Locking
The Clamping Down/Tune Locking feature combines and bands together the individual tension
of each string to create a collective and unified tension forcing the strings to move in unison and
return back to their clamped down/tune locked and “in tune”positions.
While holding the Guitar NutBuster®from moving with one hand.
(Hold the Guitar NutBuster®from moving with one hand)
(Fig.18)
Use the Allen key provided to carefully tighten down each Clamp Block screw snug
starting with the center Clamp Block. The Clamp Blocks are designed to achieve
maximum clamping force against the string with very little tightening pressure required.
Over tightening the Clamp Blocks can result in string breaking.
(Carefully tighten down each Clamp Block screw snug using the Allen Key provided)
(Fig.19)
Reset the Allen Key back onto its magnet holder to always have conveniently on hand
for future use.
(Reset the Allen Key back onto its magnet holder)
(Fig.20)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
(9)

Step
8.
Tuning Start Point For (Tremolo Equipped Guitars)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Skip to Step 9 for Non-Tremolo Equipped Guitars
Prior to any tuning adjustments being made on tremolo equipped guitars, the strings must first
be assisted back to their tune locked natural resting position or “Tuning Start Point”by first
performing the “Tremolo Reset Action”.
Tuning Start Point: This is the natural resting position of the “in-tune”guitar strings and
is the starting point of reference for all tuning adjustment decisions. It is very important
that all tuning adjustments on tremolo equipped guitars only be made after the “Tremolo
Reset Action”is performed. This will insure that all tuning adjustments are justified and
only made when the strings are in their tune locked and natural resting position to avoid
any unnecessary adjustments that will cause further tuning issues. The “Tuning Start
Point”can be instantly recalled by first performing the following “Tremolo Reset Action”.
Tremolo Reset Action: A simple downward tap on the Tremolo Bar creates a gentle
“jolt”to the strings returning them back to their natural resting position and back in tune.
In most cases, the guitar could spontaneously “sound”out of tune due to a stuck string
or a variety of other common tuning problems along the string path. The “Tremolo Reset
Action”is performed to counter act these variables by instantly returning the strings back
to their tune locked and natural “in-tune”resting position. The “Tuning Reset Action”
must be performed prior to making any and all tuning adjustments to insure that the
adjustment is actually needed and justified before it is made.
(A downward tap on the Tremolo Bar creates a gentle “jolt”to the strings
returning them back to their tune locked and natural “in-tune”resting position)
(Fig.21)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Step
9.
Final Tuning Adjustments
With the Guitar NutBuster®properly installed and clamped down into position, the guitar will
need a final Micro-Tuner adjustment before it is ready for use.
Micro Tuning Adjustments: Use the On-Board Micro-Tuners for all fine tuning
adjustments. Due to space confinements, the On-Board Micro-Tuners have a limited
usable range of use needing to be “reset”when they become harder to turn. To help
offset this range it is recommended to also use the headstock tuners for subtle “global”
tuning adjustments. Using the Micro-Tuners in combination with the headstock tuners
will dramatically simplify the entire tuning maintenance experience. Over tightening the
Micro-Tuners can result in string damage.
(Use the On-Board Micro-Tuners for all fine tuning adjustments)
(Fig.22)
Micro-Tuner “Usable Range”Reset: If a Micro-Tuner becomes too hard to tighten or
use it will need the usable range to be reset. This can easily be accomplished most of
the time by carefully using the headstock tuners to slightly drop the tuning enough to be
able to loosen and reset the Micro-Tuners usable range.
Note: In certain situations, the Clamp Block may need to be loosened up, the string tuning altered
accordingly using the headstock tuner and then the clamp block is tightened back up. This will
allow the Micro-Tuner to be re-adjusted and brought back within its usable range.
(Use the headstock tuners for subtle tuning adjustments
to facilitate the Micro-Tuners and “reset”their usable range)
(Fig.23)
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Global Tuning Adjustments: Unlike traditional locking systems rendering the guitar
tuners unusable when locked down, the Guitar NutBuster®is a floating and suspended
system that actually moves during use. In most cases, a guitars tuning can be brought
either sharp or flat “Globally”without the need to re-clamp the blocks to reset the Micro-
Tuner ranges. The headstock tuners have a limited usable range once the Guitar
NutBuster®has been clamped down and will need to be very carefully used for only
subtle “Global”tuning adjustments to facilitate the Micro-Tuners. Gaining a feel for using
the Micro-Tuners in conjunction with the guitar’s headstock tuners will greatly assist in
the overall tune maintenance experience and also help to alleviate the need for
unclamping strings in order to “reset”an exhausted Micro-Tuner usable range.
(Use the headstock tuners for subtle “Global”tuning adjustments
to facilitate the Micro-Tuners and “reset”their usable range)
(Fig.24)
Periodic Tuning Adjustments: Keep in mind that guitar temperature and humidity level
exposures can play a significant roll in potential tuning fluctuations. Depending on
playing style, even thoroughly stretched-out strings will continue to give and stretch over
time requiring periodic minor tuning adjustments to be made.
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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Specifications
Model Number: GNB-001-6
Size: (1 ¾”L) x (3/4”W) x (5/8”H)
Weight: 2.2 oz. Solid Tool Steel Construction.
String Gauge Limit: Accepts all string gauges up to .075”in thickness.
Compatibility: The Guitar NutBuster® is extremely versatile and is designed to be used
on Standard (6) String Electric & Acoustic Guitars having a common
(1-3/8”, 1-13/32”or 1-7/16”) Low E string to High E string spread at
the nut. This basically covers the vast majority of guitar models available
having a Total Nut Width of 1-11/16”(plus or minus 1/32”).
(Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns
for using the Guitar NutBuster® on your particular guitar model.)
Manufacturing: The Guitar NutBuster® is proudly designed, manufactured and
assembled to the highest quality and standards in the USA.
Important Notes: Proper setup and procedure by closely following this Setup Guide is key
to gaining the most benefit and having the very best experience possible
while using the Guitar NutBuster®.
(The Guitar NutBuster® is not recommended for certain radically
designed guitars having an extra wide headstock, an extreme High “E”
string angle off of the nut or with certain wide headstock “Flying V”guitars
without also using a String Caddy Clip™coming soon.)
Limited Warranty: The Guitar NutBuster® comes with a one year limited warranty against
manufacturer defects and will be repaired or replaced at our discretion.
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
(13)

ONITRA, LLC
8984 Darrow Rd., Suite #2-109
Twinsburg, OH 44087
www.GuitarNutBuster.com
© 2019 Guitar NutBuster® Setup Guide (B) - All Rights Reserved
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