Cutting and shaping bone to make a nut

[just strum]

Well, it certainly sounds like you did your homework and you know what to do and how to do it. I agree with you about the string being halfway down the slot - funny how very few stock guitars (at least in my price range) are ever found that way.

I'm not familiar with the needle files you referred to, I'll try a Google search.

[Spudman***]

The tech at the Ibanez importer uses a wound string to run back and forth through the nut slots to get the bottoms round and shaped the way he likes. All those wraps sort of act like a file.