Which Nut?

fretburner

Well-known member
I'm going to get a graphite nut from allparts. Which one should I pick for an American Standard Strat?

Fender doesn't have specs that say's the nut width, but I'm guessing it should be the 1-5/8"?

Should it be flat or curved? I think flat.

Here are the graphite nuts in allparts which are supposed to be for Fender:

1. Graphite Nut for Fender® Guitars, Black, 1-5/8" x 3/16" x 1/8"

2. Graphite Nut With Curved Bottom for Fender®, Black, 2" x 3/16" x 1/8"


Thanks!
 
Re: Which Nut?

are you sure on that nut width b/c all of my strats (american, japanese and MIM deluxe) are 1 11/16" nuts.

-Mike
 
Re: Which Nut?

The replacement necks are saying 1-5/8, but music123 specs are saying 1-11/16. I think you're right on the nut width.

Would the allparts 1-5/8 graphite nut -- Graphite Nut for Fender® Guitars, Black, 1-5/8" x 3/16" x 1/8" -- work?

It should be flat right? NOT curved?
 
Re: Which Nut?

the bottom should be flat for it but no, a 1 5/8 nut won't work b/c it will be too short and not fill the whole nut slot.

-Mike
 
Re: Which Nut?

Hhhmmm... maybe that 1-5/8 nut would go to a tele?

Nwy, I guess I will have to go with the (copy, paste): Graph Tech PT-5000-0 Nut, W/String Slots for Fender® Guitar, 1-11/16" x 3/16" x 1/8"

It's $11 from allparts though, vs the $8 from guitarparts. :)
 
Re: Which Nut?

i actually like the spacing of a 1-5/8" nut on a 1-11/16" neck, not normally done though as far as i know, and there is 1/32" of empty slot on either side of the nut which some people wouldnt like
 
Re: Which Nut?

jeremy said:
i actually like the spacing of a 1-5/8" nut on a 1-11/16" neck, not normally done though as far as i know, and there is 1/32" of empty slot on either side of the nut which some people wouldnt like

The empty slot would be okay with me. But the spacing would make the strings closer together right? What are the benefits of that? Better playability perhaps? Will the strings align well with the strings if I did that?
 
Re: Which Nut?

Not that I have anything against graphite nuts, but I've always been a proponent of bone. They're also self lubricating and will provide a great tone.
 
Re: Which Nut?

Hellion said:
Not that I have anything against graphite nuts, but I've always been a proponent of bone. They're also self lubricating and will provide a great tone.

Can you give me a link that a bone nut is also self lubricating?

I just bought a Wilkinson trem and I'm not gonna put it on my Am. Std. Strat without the Graphite nut. If bone nuts are self lubricating -- and thereby, would keep my guitar in tune after some whammy bar thingy -- I might just go for it. My luthier has some bone nuts around that he will cut for me, but he no longer has a graphite nut.
 
Re: Which Nut?

I went and measured my two Strats' nuts with my caliper. One measured 1.651" and the other measured 1.677".

1 5/8" = 1.625" and

1 11/16" = 1.6875"

So my guitars just fall in between the two numbers and I don't think it really matters with 0.03125" of difference on each side, especially if wood shrinks over the years.

If you divide the distance among the five gaps, it comes to .00625" each and we are really splitting hairs. The tolerance specs is probably larger than that.
 
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Re: Which Nut?

fretburner said:
Can you give me a link that a bone nut is also self lubricating?

I just bought a Wilkinson trem and I'm not gonna put it on my Am. Std. Strat without the Graphite nut. If bone nuts are self lubricating -- and thereby, would keep my guitar in tune after some whammy bar thingy -- I might just go for it. My luthier has some bone nuts around that he will cut for me, but he no longer has a graphite nut.

I don't have any links to substantiate this, I'm sorry. My luthier had told me that they're self lubricating due to the nature of their composition. I'm afraid that's the best info that I have. Depending on the severity of action in your
"whammy bar thingy" you may have better luck with a locking nut.
 
Re: Which Nut?

Amateur said:
I think graphite itself is a lubricating material.
If you haven't tried a graphite nut or graphite saddles, you need to at least give it a shot. If it's not your thing, you're out $30. I got the saddles purely for a string breakage issue, and the side effect of the guitar staying in tune was an unexpected bonus.
 
Re: Which Nut?

fretburner said:
I'm going to get a graphite nut from allparts. Which one should I pick for an American Standard Strat?
I know you're in the Philippines, but Graph Tech's customer support is really good. If you can call toll-free or send 'em an email, they're really helpful. However, do not buy directly from there- they're cheaper through other dealers.

(PS I have some Filipino relatives from Kidapawan visiting my folks right now.)
 
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