bob123 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripthorn Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Bone for non-trem guitars, otherwise Graphtech. Plastic just sucks, and brass is more a novelty than anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 I love zero frets... but the general public doesnt for some reason. For actual nut material, i love corian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiKro Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob123 Posted September 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 I use Tusq on guitars with a tremolo and locking tuners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripthorn Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob123 Posted September 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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