nut marking grid

jrmintz · #1 08-29-2010, 03:03 PM

Hi all,

I'd like to take shot at cutting a nut for a new 5-string neck I have on order. I made the attached grid to get the string center spacing correct. It's laid out according to the descriptions I've read here as I understood them. Both outside strings are .125" in from the ends and the other strings are spaced evenly between them. The wider end is 2" and the narrower is 1" on my monitor. My understanding is that I slide the sized nut blank along the grid until the ends match the outer lines and mark the string placement according to the five inner lines. Could someone more knowledgeable than I am take a look and see if I've got this right?

Thanks,

Seth

Musiclogic · #2 08-30-2010, 12:23 AM

looks fine to me, nice cheap way to gauge string spacing for a nut. good job.

Just a note though, you will also want to decide if you are going to slot your nut on center(string center to string center) or by spacing, meaning you take each string size into account before slotting, figure the area for slotting minus the total string area to calculate 4 equal spaces. Some of us do equal spacing on our necks as opposed to centerline. It's all about your preference.

jrmintz · #3 08-30-2010, 07:08 AM

Thanks Musiclogic. I'll have to measure my other basses and see how they're done. I've always vaguely known the strings could be spaced either way, but I've never actually thought about what I prefer.

Would you keep the distance from the outside edges of the nut to the outside edges of the low B and high G strings a consistent .125"?

Musiclogic · #4 08-30-2010, 07:20 AM

LMAO, I have had people complain about their inlays being off center until they realize they asked for equal spacing as opposed to on center...LOL

Most instruments are on center, equal spacing is only done by a very few these days, as you have to use the same gauges all the time to keep it equal.

Anyway, have fun with it.