Those fret indentaions are 99% wear. No manufactures would put them in on purpose.

My first move would be to consider that the neck is actually too close to the bridge. Maybe it could be moved, making it longer, by a few millimetres. Measure the distance between nut and 12th fret. It should be, give or take a couple of mm, the same as 12th fret to saddle on the 3rd/4th string. If that is short, then 'elongating' the neck should improve things, and the saddles can be adjusted accordingly.

I can't see how changing the nut will improve matters - all that will do is make the 1st fret longer, not adjust the neck or other frets.

If the action is high, then pressing the strings down will effectively sharpen them too much.

Those fret indentations are wear caused by playing. No manufactures would put them in on purpose.

My first move would be to consider that the neck is actually too close to the bridge. Maybe it could be moved, making it longer, by a few millimetres. Measure the distance between nut and 12th fret. It should be, give or take a couple of mm, the same as 12th fret to saddle on the 3rd/4th string. If that is short, then 'elongating' the neck should improve things, and the saddles can be adjusted accordingly.

I can't see how changing the nut will improve matters - all that will do is make the 1st fret longer, not adjust the neck or other frets.

If the action is high, then pressing the strings down will effectively sharpen them too much.

Those fret indentaions are 99% wear. No manufactures would put them in on purpose.

My first move would bee to consider that the neck is actually too close to the bridge. Maybe it could be moved, making it longer, by a few millimetres. Measure the distance between nut and 12th fret. It should be, give or take a couple of mm, the same as 12th fret to saddle on the 3rd/4th string. If that is short, then 'elongating' the neck should improve things, and the saddles can be adjusted accordingly.

I can't see how changing the nut will improve matters - all that will do is make the 1st fret longer, not adjust the neck or other frets.

If the action is high, then pressing the strings down will effectively sharpen them too much.

Those fret indentaions are 99% wear. No manufactures would put them in on purpose.

My first move would be to consider that the neck is actually too close to the bridge. Maybe it could be moved, making it longer, by a few millimetres. Measure the distance between nut and 12th fret. It should be, give or take a couple of mm, the same as 12th fret to saddle on the 3rd/4th string. If that is short, then 'elongating' the neck should improve things, and the saddles can be adjusted accordingly.

I can't see how changing the nut will improve matters - all that will do is make the 1st fret longer, not adjust the neck or other frets.

If the action is high, then pressing the strings down will effectively sharpen them too much.