Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

[MikeRocker]

Hey everybody, I did a search, but it seems like most of the "Earvana" results were buried in other topics, or older threads, and I think Earvana has possibly changed their models/materials since then...

I'm building a new Strat, and I'm considering installing an Earvana...does anybody have any thoughts/opinions as to how they work, tone, etc. (the alternative will be a traditional bone nut, so this is kind of an Earvana vs. bone thing)? The neck has a 12" radius and a flat-bottomed nut slot, and the person at Earvana told me to get the "Fender-style shelf nut" when I called and asked. It is hard to tell from their website if the bottom of the Earvana is curved, but if it is, will sanding it flat work with the flat nut slot?

Also, another big question - do the string slots need to be filed, or does it work as-is when installed? I use .10-.46 strings.

Thank you very much for any help/advice/opinions!

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

I cant answer your question about the flat bottom but why not just call them again? So, looks like they move the slots forward so they overhang the fretboard. Not a physics type but it seems like this would accomplish similar to something like the Gibson Zero fret nut or the Zero Glide. Zero glide has pre cut slots and the are wide by design, so no filing is needed. They also have decent instructions. Maybe worth checking out as well. http://www.zeroglide.com/default.asp
I have no idea whether any of these products work as claimed.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

An Earvana compensated nut came as standard on my LTD EC401w. Yes, it seems to help the intonation in Standard Tuning. I suspect that, for other tunings, the pre-determined compensation distances would be incorrect.

The Earvana nuts come in various formats. The one-piece type should directly retrofit existing guitars by overhanging beyond the original nut slot. The two-piece type has a fixed section that fastens into the nut slot and a flat "shelf" section that can be adjusted relative to the nut slot before being locked down in position with the screws provided.

 

[nognow]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

compensated nuts will never give you perfect intonation and are close to useless because they sharpen or flatten every single fret (even the ones that are fine).
meaning: if the 2nd fret of the G is flat, they will sharpen it to pitch. but if the 7th fret on the G is in tune, they will make it sharp.
do you see what I'm saying?
also, the information on the Earvana website is quite misleading
here are their advertised improvements and the ACTUAL "improvements":

the ONLY way to get perfect intonation on a guitar is with True Temperament frets, as they accommodate every single fret individually.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

the ONLY way to get perfect intonation on a guitar is with True Temperament frets

… or no frets at all!

 

[nognow]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

… or no frets at all!

haha its actually really hard to get perfect intonation on fretless instruments because the human fingertip is round and soft(wide and inconsistent contact area)... another reason why violin/cello players use vibrato often.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

… and real bassists!

 

[nognow]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

… and real bassists!

bass player jokes never get old...:9:

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

Bought a used G&L with an Earvana nut. Don't really care for it...it just isn't necessary. My other Legacys intonate fine. Thinking about having it reversed.

Bill

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

I've always been under the impression they are meant for standard tuning, playing cowboy chords.

 

[HTT]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

I had an ESP ltd MH-1000 back in the day (about 8 years ago) with an Earvana nut. From what I remember, the tuning was quite good on open chords on the first few frets, but did not have an effect on fretted notes/chords past the 5th fret. The G-string on that guitar always buzzed, no matter the action. FWIW, the tech faulted the Earvana nut for the buzz. I sold the guitar.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

Thank you everybody for your thoughts! Anyone else? Also, has anyone installed one, and is it necessary to file the string slots?

 

[nognow]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

is it necessary to file the string slots?

yes

also, Earvana nuts are made of some soft and cheap material and don't sound that good...
they are only slightly better than plastic nuts...
just look up "earvana material" on Google and you'll find multiple forum posts about the poor sound of Earvana nuts...

 

[akio]

Re: Any opinions on Earvana nuts?

I had one put on my guitar when it was being refretted, and it seemed to work well for those 2nd/3rd string diads that were wildly out of tune before. It was the retrofit style, so looks-wise it wasn't stellar.


If you want to try out nut compensation without altering your guitar, check this out. http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/guitar-bass-nuts-saddles/compensated-guitar-nut-for-electric/