The Guitar Nut
Guitar Nut
A common mistake of guitar players and luthiers alike is underestimating the importance and the role of the the guitar nut.
In my experience as a guitar building and guitar repairman I have seen nut setups ranging from the perfect nut all the way to a totally screwed up nut setup. The departure can be amazing.
Another element that affects the tone of the guitar as it is related to the nut is the material from which the nut is constructed. In an example, compare the difference between the tone of a guitar equipped with a cheap plastic nut vs. a quality bone nut.
There are many articles that you can read on the analysis of the nut from actual construction of the nut to material decisions and the perfect string slot setup.
So you can tell that the nut, that little strip of white plastic or bone plays a notable role in the guitar playing ease and tone. The nut is responsible for these guitar attributes:
The Guitar String Action
Intonation of the Guitar
Guitar Tone Quality
Ease of Tuning the Guitar
String Age
Now we will examine each of these elements in more detail and find out why this little strip of plastic, bone or ivory is of such importance to the guitar’s playing ease and tone production.
Action of the Guitar Strings:
Although this point may seem rather obvious, there is in reality more to it than it seems on the surface. Making minor adjustments to the depth of the string channels in the nut can make an amazing difference in the guitar’s ease of playing.
What happens if you go to low with your nut channel adjustments? Yes that is easy to do and you will ruin the nut and have to start all over. What then would be the optimal string groove depth? That subject will have to be covered in another article.
Intonation:
The intonation refers to the proper length of each strings’ scale to be in perfect tune. This relates to the nut in that it is assumed that the beginning point of each string length is at the backside of the nut, where it joints the fretboard. If the string slots are not filed properly the string length can begin somewhere ‘within’ the nut, thus affecting the intonation of the instrument and making it troublesome to tune and play ‘out of tune’.
Guitar Tone Quality:
The tone quality of the guitar is additionally affected through the nut. This can be proven if you replace a fine classical guitar ivory nut with a plastic nut. The difference is amazing! The strings will be very dead sounding on the plastic nut as compared to alive on the ivory. The open string will be much more lively on the ivory as well.
So tone quality is at least partially influenced by the material selection of the nut. Also, to assure a great guitar tone and sustain, be sure that the nut is set properly into the guitar neck. It is best if the nut is captured securely by means of the guitar neck and it is a perfect fit. This will permit all of the vibrations produced by the strings to be transmitted to the guitar neck. Also, the string tone and quality or resonance reaching the saddle will be enhanced.
Ease of Guitar Tuning:
Be sure that the string channels are cut properly into the nut. By far the simplest way to execute this is by the use of gauged nut files. These files are matched to the string diameters for proper channel widths. In order to perform to the maximum, proper string slots should possess the following attributes:
First, the string slot should have a rounded bottom which matches the contour of each string.
Next, in order to prevent string binding in the guitar nut, each string slot should be slightly wider that each respective string.
Finally, in order to minimize string binding, each string slot should be angled toward it’s respective strings tuning machine post.
Preservation of the Strings:
If the above recommendations are followed very closely, the string life can be improved.
You can find out more about this article at our site by visiting: Guitar Nut. You may also be interested in The Importance of the Guitar Nut.
