Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
- Thread starter jayK
- Start date
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
The nut affects the tone and resonance of the guitar. A good nut will improve resonance and slightly colour the tone. A bad nut will resonate poorly and muffle the sound of the strings.
Different nut materials resonate differently, and there is really no "perfect" nut material. Graphite has a very even response and resonates very well, which is why it is popular as an after-market mod. Bone resonates well too, and sounds a bit less mellow than graphite. Brass has excellent resonance, but tends to sound very bright. Corian is a synthetic material that is very similar to bone. There are other nut materials, but those are the most common.
A badly cut nut, regardless of type, can cause poor intonation, and may also cause strings to break.
Hope that helps you understand the importance of the nut.
The nut affects the tone and resonance of the guitar. A good nut will improve resonance and slightly colour the tone. A bad nut will resonate poorly and muffle the sound of the strings.
Different nut materials resonate differently, and there is really no "perfect" nut material. Graphite has a very even response and resonates very well, which is why it is popular as an after-market mod. Bone resonates well too, and sounds a bit less mellow than graphite. Brass has excellent resonance, but tends to sound very bright. Corian is a synthetic material that is very similar to bone. There are other nut materials, but those are the most common.
A badly cut nut, regardless of type, can cause poor intonation, and may also cause strings to break.
Hope that helps you understand the importance of the nut.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
Not to mention any trem use with a bad nut will cause instant tuning nightmares!
Not to mention any trem use with a bad nut will cause instant tuning nightmares!
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
Another thing about a poorly cut nut, or an unlubricated nut is that strings will bind in the nut. Have you ever been tuning your guitar and heard a *ping*? That's the string binding in the nut and then loosening.
You might see where this can be an issue when you're playing, increase the tension on the strings, such as bending the string or even hitting hard, and it won't go back to pitch without binding in the nut.
Another thing about a poorly cut nut, or an unlubricated nut is that strings will bind in the nut. Have you ever been tuning your guitar and heard a *ping*? That's the string binding in the nut and then loosening.
You might see where this can be an issue when you're playing, increase the tension on the strings, such as bending the string or even hitting hard, and it won't go back to pitch without binding in the nut.
kherman
New member
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
That's another reason why the graphite or teflon/graphite nuts are popular.
They are self lubricating.
Thus lessens the chance of string binding.
One other thing. Have your nut cut properly to the guage strings you are using.
If you nut is cut for 9's and you switch to 10s, the 10s will bind in the nut.
Kent
That's another reason why the graphite or teflon/graphite nuts are popular.
They are self lubricating.
Thus lessens the chance of string binding.
One other thing. Have your nut cut properly to the guage strings you are using.
If you nut is cut for 9's and you switch to 10s, the 10s will bind in the nut.
Kent
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
I was in GC last night, and 90% of the guitars in the store needed to have the nuts cut better. All my guitars have had at least a little nutwork.....all of them except for 1 PRS.
I was in GC last night, and 90% of the guitars in the store needed to have the nuts cut better. All my guitars have had at least a little nutwork.....all of them except for 1 PRS.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
A well cut nut will fix alot of problems.
A well cut nut that's maintained well (cleaned and lubed) works as well as any other system on its best day.
Curly said:
A well cut nut will fix alot of problems.
A well cut nut that's maintained well (cleaned and lubed) works as well as any other system on its best day.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
Pencil lead will lubricate as well as anything. It's just graphite, and that is the most common lubricant. There is a product called "Nut Sauce" that lots of guys rave about.
On almost any guitar that is mass produced, you can count on the nut being cut incorrectly in some manner. Getting a new nut cut from a quality blank, slotted to your guage strings and height cut for your guitar will only cost $20-30 from an experienced luthier. Well worth the $$.
Pencil lead will lubricate as well as anything. It's just graphite, and that is the most common lubricant. There is a product called "Nut Sauce" that lots of guys rave about.
On almost any guitar that is mass produced, you can count on the nut being cut incorrectly in some manner. Getting a new nut cut from a quality blank, slotted to your guage strings and height cut for your guitar will only cost $20-30 from an experienced luthier. Well worth the $$.
James Rock
Active member
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
Where can u get new nuts do they need to be made for u?
Thats what wrong with my epi les paul and y it might be snapping my 10
Where can u get new nuts do they need to be made for u?
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
The nut affects tone only on open strings. When you're fretting a note, it won't have any signficant effect on tone.
But it is crucial to have the nut cut right -- the pinching of the string as it slides back and forth does create major tuning problems (and in minor keys too).
One mod that I make on the nuts of my guitars to improve action and playability without risking any fret buzz is to cut the nut slots as deep as they will go without any buzzing on the first fret. You can have the action set medium to medium-high on the bridge side but the deeper nut slots will make it feel lower -- because it is lower on one side.
The nut affects tone only on open strings. When you're fretting a note, it won't have any signficant effect on tone.
But it is crucial to have the nut cut right -- the pinching of the string as it slides back and forth does create major tuning problems (and in minor keys too).
One mod that I make on the nuts of my guitars to improve action and playability without risking any fret buzz is to cut the nut slots as deep as they will go without any buzzing on the first fret. You can have the action set medium to medium-high on the bridge side but the deeper nut slots will make it feel lower -- because it is lower on one side.
greendy123
New member
Re: Why is the guitar "nut" a big deal?
You can get them at stewmac.com, or a guitar tech might have some already. The nut should be cut specifically for your guitar, if you don't know how to do it I would just have a guitar tech do it for you.James Rock said:
