how much difference does a good NUT make?

[benji657]

time to replace my plastic nut :laugh2:
it has a crack along the d-string slot.

what material should i get? just bone? or graphite? what do you guys prefer?

and how much difference does a good nut make? tone-wise.


thanks,
benji

 

[Bones]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

A good nut is priceless, I would go with graphite, nice and slick. I think you can get any color you want.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I dunno...I always feel much better afterward. :32: :laugh2:

If you're getting a new one installed on your guitar, get a bone nut. For some reason they're the perfect density and sound the best. I like graphite too. I won't go out of my way to change a nicely cut plastic one, but if you're changing it, get bone, graphite, or Tusq (imitation ivory)

 

[Nightburst]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

Warmoth has tonal descriptions on all nut materials they use on their website, you should check it out.

I have a tech cut me a plastic nut now and it is definately a step up compared to the brass locking nut that was on before.

 

[theodie]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

You got to go with a good nut. I make my own out of Corian.

 

[some_dude]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I have a Tusq one on my Strat, and it improved the tone and sustain over stock. Tuning stability has also improved due to the fact the nut was cut for the string guage I use.

If I had a working trem though, I would have gone with a Graphtech nut.

 

[PRG]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I've got a graphite nut on my neck-thru. I've got very good tone, as well as tuning stability, although I'll probably still change it to bone one of these days.

 

[rspst14]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I'm a big fan of the Earvana nut. The material it's made of has the tone and slipperyness of graphite, and it will improve the intonation of your guitar when set up properly. It doesn't cost much more than a standard nut.

Ryan

 

[Scott_F]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I think the fact that it is installed and cut correctly far outweighs the merits of the various materials. If you use a trem, graphite makes a lot of sense. Bone seems the traditional choice. The compensated nut makes perfect sense to me, but I'm a bit more of traditionalist. Heck, I still like 3 brass barrels on a tele.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I have a micarta nut and it's great... added more upper mids to my open strings.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I think the fact that it is installed and cut correctly far outweighs the merits of the various materials. If you use a trem, graphite makes a lot of sense. Bone seems the traditional choice. The compensated nut makes perfect sense to me, but I'm a bit more of traditionalist. Heck, I still like 3 brass barrels on a tele.

i think you are completely right, but i am trying a graphite nut on my new tele and i also put one on my friends hamer. I need to find someone that is willing to cut and install a bone nut on my guild.

oh one more thing, i still like the 3 barrel saddles too, brass or steel.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

Everyone who has said that a proper cut is the most important consideration are dead on. With that said, there are several types that are good. Graphite or slipstone are great for trem equipped guitars, and I prefer them there. Tusq is a very decent manmade material as well. However, the more I read and research about various materials, I am starting to lean towards bone and ivory for nuts and saddles.

You can get bone nuts at a fairly reasonable price. You can also purchase fossilized ivory and walrus tusq for not a bunch more. The tone is supposed to be richer, more focused and harmonically dense. I'm going to order an ivory nut and saddle for my Taylor. If that makes as much difference as I believe it will, I'll replace the nut on my Hardtail and Hamer with one.

For any of you who are going to start yelling about save the elephants or walrus, this is all fossilized walrus tusq thousands of years old. The elephant ivory is also obtained legally and does not result in the killing of any elephants.

Here's a link. Custom Ivory Nuts And Saddles

 

[Hellion]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

Bone is my preference, although I also like Tusq and Graphite. Bone is also self lubricating and just great as far as density goes.

 

[Bludave]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

I dunno...I always feel much better afterward. :32: :laugh2:

If you're getting a new one installed on your guitar, get a bone nut. For some reason they're the perfect density and sound the best. I like graphite too. I won't go out of my way to change a nicely cut plastic one, but if you're changing it, get bone, graphite, or Tusq (imitation ivory)

It also depends on the guitar and how it will be set up. If it is a Strat type of guitar, I would use graphite. This will allow the strings to slide in the nut easier and the guitar will stay in tune much better. I also prefer the way graphite sounds. I have graphite saddles on a 335, a LP, SG, and 3 Strats. Since I have done this I have not broken a string on any of these guitars.

ON acoustic guitars I prefer real Ivory. I think Ivory (or bone) offers better note clarity. The Tusq is a good alternative to the real thing, but the real thing sounds better.

 

[strat_master]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

just wndering how do they install a nut anyway? IM sure its more than just gluing it on?

 

[Bludave]

Re: how much difference does a good NUT make?

just wndering how do they install a nut anyway? IM sure its more than just gluing it on?

Once the nut slots are cut and it is sande to the corect shape, it is then glued in place. Some nuts can be purchased with the slots already in them. Most Luthiers and guitar techs prefer to cut the slots once the nut is on the guitar. This allows accurate position of the slot, and also allows the correct slot depth which is very critical to get the guitar to play well.