a wooden nut

[renablistic]

Well i'm gonna ask the question, and try. The more i think about it, the more i think, if you want more tone from the wood, why not a nut made of wood? And a nice, heavy kind, like walnut or something. Anyone try this? Anyone have some behind the scenes info?

And for the experiment: I just converted an old 70's 3/4 size acoustic to fretless, and i shined up all the pieces, and refinished the whole neck, headstock, and put a few coats of poly on the body to get some lost shine back. But, i lost the nut. Lucky me, it's a zero fretter (i love zero frets [oh, and think about how low the string action 'll be]), so doing a little experimentation aint bad. So, i've decided to make a nut out of some pine (it's all i have around). So i guess i'll se if it wears down over time and etc.

But i mean, poly should be able to protect the wood, right?

[westhemann]

believe it ir not alot of people have asked this question...and the answer is always that it is not a good idea....i think it would wear too quickly and i think the tone would be bad

[renablistic]

Sorry, i searched for it, but I couldn't find it. I know wasteful posts have become an issue lately, and I tried not to ask a question not before asked. I see where your coming from, too muddy on the tone? Well, i'll try it, and any other info thats there will be appreciated.

Also: alot of violins have wooden bridges... for what it's worth...

[westhemann]

i was not suggesting that you should have searched...the last one was quite some time ago,and i think it was a very valid question

[JPL]

I hear George Washington had a wooden nut.

[westhemann]

good point about the wooden violin bridge...i have never heard a wooden nut...i just remember that the consensus from the experienced guys was that it wouldn't be acceptable

keep in mind too that sustain is not an issue with a violin...and i think a "woody" tone is more desireable with the violin...but really,if you tried it on a not so great guitar...then you would know for sure,and all you would lose is the time it took to make it

[jbkim]

Violins also have a wooden nut (in addition to the bridge.) If you just play static chord/scales, it might be ok... but if you bend the strings (which you're more opt to do on a guitar vs. a violin) I think it will cause the strings to rub across the nut wearing it out eventually (well, quicker than other materials anyway .)

[DannoG]

I helped teach classes in the woodshop of my local university, helping the students build trave-sized acoustic guitars. The emphasis was on simple, low-cost instruments. We used hard maple for both saddle and nuts, although students could upgrade to other materials if they wanted to. Most were getting their first experience at guitar building and were not looking to create the ultimate tone machine. And the small travel body was limiting for sound also. With all that in mind, I think that they worked reasonably well. Not as good as bone, but decent and something the students could botch their slots and start on a new one at no cost. I would only use very hard woods such as rock maple, ebony, rosewood or wenge.

[Saber]

I hear George Washington had a wooden nut.

So that's why he chopped down that cherry tree!

[soapbarstrat]

A few drops of thin super-glue in the slots would help too.

Don't think electric guitar strings would be a good match, tho.

[Guest Litchfield Custom Gutars]

JET guitars have a zero fret with an ebony nut.

[daddy ray]

i have contemplated an ebony nut for a non trem guitar

that's whats on violins & they have quite a bright strong sound...

& ebony's pretty hard

dr

[soapbarstrat]

With the abuse that a guitar seems to get, compared to any kind of "abuse" violin type instruments might get, I'd have to suggest you consider phenolic as a compromise. Works great on my bass. Since it's partly made from paper, I guess it has somewhat of a "woody" tone to it.