Hi
I'm thinking of using a timber nut on my next bass as oppossed to bone,plastic or brass.
Just after something 'Unusual' and unique.
Has anyone had experience with a wooden nut, can you describe characteristics of tone, timber species pros and cons etc.???
Are there any complications with tuning?
I'm considering using Lignum , Swamp oak, Brigalow or Jarrah(Australian timbers) as possible woods.
Any suggestions
Thanks

I have used wood for a nut, but I would only use it for a fretless bass. It dampens the open notes too much. Great for producing that upright bass sound.

Have you considered using a zero fret (assuming you build a fretted bass)?

Thanks for replying to my post

The bass I'm refering to is a fretless 5 string , the body has tone chambers routed out of solid blackbean.
I'll experiment with the wooden nut. An upright sound would be interesting, hopefully it won't be too dull for the low B.

The wood that I use for wood nuts is lignum vitae. The wood is so durably and naturally waxy that it makes a fantastic nut for fretless basses.

Originally posted by FBB Custom
The wood that I use for wood nuts is lignum vitae. The wood is so durably and naturally waxy that it makes a fantastic nut for fretless basses.

Thanks
lignum vitae is my first choice for timber for a nut,
this is good to hear that somebody else uses it.