Gibson Acoustic question

[Thurisarz]

I have a Epiphone J-200 copy and i want/need a better nut and "bridge nut" (right word?) and i wonder what the real Gibson J-200 use, is it bone? I heard something about Tusq, true/false?

Would you recommend anything else to be done to get just a little bit better or maybe "closer" to the real Gibson? Would changing tuners to real gold Gotohs do anything to the sound/tension/intonation?

 

[skh515]

Re: Gibson Acoustic question

I think the word you are looking for is Saddle, and I would try Tusq for both the saddle and the nut.

I have no idea about the tuners.

 

[sgstrat]

Re: Gibson Acoustic question

I would leave the tuners alone unless you're having a problem with them slipping or otherwise keeping the guitar in tune.

Another thing that you might consider changing are the bridge pins. Unless you decide to spring for fossilized ivory pins (mucho dinero), changing bridge pins is the easiest and least expensive way to modify an acoustic guitar's tone. For very little money you can try Tusq, bone, ebony, rosewood, boxwood, etc.

Have fun!