Does the material of the nut matter?

StrudelBass · #1 09-03-2005, 10:15 PM

Just wondering if there is any tonal difference between nut materials.

Oh, and where can I buy a pre-slotted nut?

JimmyM · #2 09-04-2005, 05:14 AM

There are slight differences, but none that really matter too much. I've got bone nuts, corian nuts, graphite nuts, and plastic nuts on my basses, and they all sound pretty much the same to me. The only one I don't like is brass. Brass is a little too clanky for my tastes and doesn't match up with open notes vs. fretted as well.

Franklin229 · #3 09-04-2005, 08:03 AM

I agree, except I thingk brass is great on neck thru/hardwood basses. Not too good on bolt-ons-my opinion.

Sparkie · #4 09-06-2005, 08:47 AM

It matters only on open notes...no?

JimmyM · #5 09-07-2005, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkie

It matters only on open notes...no?

Right.

Lyle Caldwell · #6 09-07-2005, 07:47 AM

On a bass, it only matters on fretted notes. One guitar, where strings are bent and there can be trems, the nut material and cut is more crucial, as it affects the tuning when strings are moved.

Ostinato · #7 09-07-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The only one I don't like is brass. Brass is a little too clanky for my tastes and doesn't match up with open notes vs. fretted as well.

I found the complete opposite. I think brass gives a very even response from the open string when compared to fretted. It does take away from the vintage sustain, by which I mean it tends to aid in sustain.

Jonki · #8 09-07-2005, 05:14 PM

i had a tusq nut on my p-bass, i lost it, and then i replaced it with a graphtec graphite nut, the sound was slightly warmer.

Ostinato · #9 09-07-2005, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgi

It depends on what country he runs.

strummer · #10 09-08-2005, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrudelBass

Oh, and where can I buy a pre-slotted nut?

Any decent guitar shop can make you a new nut in the material you choose. Buying a preslotted will not help too much because you still need to match it you your bass and setup preferences. Having a nut cut professionally is not expensive.
I think you might find adjustable nuts somewhere (like what warwick and alembic use) but those are generally made of brass (or some other kind of metal) and will sound a bit different from your typical bone/tusq/micarta/whatever. Aso, I *think* most adjustable nuts are for one fretboard radius only.