Advice for nut choice

ValleB · #1 11-15-2011, 03:54 AM

Hi people!

I'm new on this forum, so I hope this is the right section.
I've got a problem:
Although I played for 5 years, I'm not familiar with some knowledge.
I need a new nut for my Ibanez btb605. If that's useful, I use roundwound strings.
I read something about grafite and ebony, but I have no idea about prices and features.
Would someone help me?

Thanks people!

grendle · #2 11-15-2011, 05:38 AM

It only really matters on open notes. I prefer brass, some like bone, some like graphite. All personal prefrence, and not really a world of difference between the 3. You might want to contact Dickhead designs (@yahoo.com). He does brass nuts for all the Spector guys. I'm sure he could do one for your ibby. He's very reasonable, quick turn around and proceeds go to charity, be does quality work. You can look him up on eBay/ Google as well.

mjl422 · #3 11-15-2011, 08:15 AM

I have two basses with graphite nuts and one with a bone nut and I can't really tell the difference. But, if I had to change out any of them, I would probably go with brass (just my personal preference).

john grey · #4 11-15-2011, 03:11 PM

I've installed several nuts in both guitars and Basses and frankly I don't really notice the difference. However I enjoy using brass because it's files slower and getting a very clean cut is simple, it (brass) also doesn't snap the way some selections of bone can. Graphite is good also but it cuts fairly quickly.

If you haven't installed them previously I would suggest you do a very clean prep. Make SURE the slot is very clean and free from debris, glue, & check whether it has a flat bottom or is radius. Use your old nut as a template to start you off. You may want to have a sloping angle on the back face (tuning peg side). Use the PROPER files, sharp and fine. Mark your divisions between the string first with pencil noting that the thicker string will be closer than the lighter ones.
I use a "V" cut rather than a "U" due to the allowance for wider string sizes without stress or re-cuts (this is where bone can occasionally snap). Once the nut is cleaned and fitted to the neck; don't glue. Line up the strings and measure twice & write down the distances.

This has been the way I have done them in the past and all was well. I also went SLOW and thought about what I was doing each step of the way. DON'T rush.

walterw · #5 11-15-2011, 07:46 PM

as you can see from john's post, it's a bit of a project to really do it right, and you need plenty of tools that add up to more than the cost of just getting one installed by a pro.

why do you "need" a new nut anyway?

ValleB · #6 11-17-2011, 03:46 AM

Thank you everybody

I need to change it because my old nut unglued and the instrument lost tone.
Thanks for the "crafting" advice, but I intend to let a luthier do the work (I'll keep those info in mind for the future). I always did the setup by myself so, this time, I'll pass it to a professional. It is time for a good check-up.
I asked because of the various choices of material. Basically I'm searching for a material with sound similar to the frets. Also I hope to choose something that improves sustain.
After another bunch of searches I thought of nickel or brass, like some of you said (because of the reasons I wrote).

walterw · #7 11-17-2011, 09:10 AM

The old one "unglued"?

Just glue it back in, you're over-thinking this.

96tbird · #8 11-17-2011, 09:55 AM

Yeah, just carefully scrape any glue off the nut and it's seat, a couple of tiny drops of wood glue on the seat, put the nut in place, string it up, position the nut, wipe up excess glue and leave it for 24 hours.