Nut Chat

[bob123]

Not intended to be a debate thread. Simply curious about your "go to" nut material and why you choose it. Each seems to have its own benefits and drawbacks, and i have read and listened to people like Mr. Smith discuss nut materials, but a down to earth discussion about what you choose would be cool.

Recently, used a brass nut for a telecaster build. I've never played a brass nut guitar before, and I must say, the look is cool, but I dont see all the hub bub about the "brightness" of it. Sounds pretty similar to my graphite nut telecaster with similar woods (only difference is the rosewood fretboard). For ease of use and quality, I don't think I will be using brass again, pain in the arse to get it sanded to the right height.

Graphite seems to be the best choice for me. Plastic in feel, but has a bright, chimey tone that works well for my style. Easy to work on too if you need to.

[Ripthorn]

I am finishing up a multi scale guitar right now and have decided, after cutting a nut for it, that I'm going to do the zero fret thing, at least for multi scales. Then the nut is just for string direction with the height already taken care of by the zero fret. I like the tusq nuts that are out there, but bone is nice too. I don't worry about the tone of the nut much, as it has its largest effect only with open strings.

[DC Ross]

Bone for non-trem guitars, otherwise Graphtech. Plastic just sucks, and brass is more a novelty than anything.

[killemall8]

I love zero frets... but the general public doesnt for some reason.

For actual nut material, i love corian.

[MiKro]

I love zero frets... but the general public doesnt for some reason.

For actual nut material, i love corian.

Yep, I still have a 2 x 3 x 1/4" sheet , plus a few 4"x 36" x 1/4" sheets of Bone Colored Corian. Good stuff.

[bob123]

For zero frets, do you guys use stainless steel? Or just normal fret wire that matches?

I love zero frets... but the general public doesnt for some reason.

For actual nut material, i love corian.

Why corian for you?

[orgmorg]

I use Micarta, which is similar to Corian
I prefer it to bone because it is much more consistent in density~ no random soft or hard spots

Also, I hate the smell and feel of bone dust

[guitar2005]

I like the tusq nuts that are out there, but bone is nice too. I don't worry about the tone of the nut much, as it has its largest effect only with open strings.

The nut will also affect tuning stability, so its more than just about the open string tone.

I like Tusq, more specifically, Tusq XL and Black Tusq. They're consistent, slippery, easy to shape and last a long time. Its the only nut material I use.

[orgmorg]

I use Tusq on guitars with a tremolo and locking tuners

[Ripthorn]

I do worry about lubricity of the nut, just not the tone so much. For trem guitars, black tusqXL is my go-to. I've never tried graphite. Then again, I rarely do trem equipped guitars, which is why I don't have to worry much about the lubricity.

[guitar2005]

I do worry about lubricity of the nut, just not the tone so much. For trem guitars, black tusqXL is my go-to. I've never tried graphite. Then again, I rarely do trem equipped guitars, which is why I don't have to worry much about the lubricity.

Perhaps, but if you're going to stock up on nuts, might as well get the Tusq XL or Black Tusq XL. There's really no point in getting the regular Tusq.

[bob123]

Seems tusq's are pretty prudent around here. Anyone dabble with... "off kilter" materials? I am curious about doing a glass nut or something like that.