nuts

GODSBASSMAN · #1 10-31-2009, 12:31 PM

Any one use ebony for the bass nut?

PasdaBeer · #2 10-31-2009, 12:54 PM

yup, lots of fretless basses do.

**Rodent** · #3 10-31-2009, 01:12 PM

I use it quite often, fretted and fretless

all the best,

R

PasdaBeer · #4 10-31-2009, 01:14 PM

do you find that it holds up well to roundwounds?

**Rodent** · #5 10-31-2009, 01:24 PM

I've not had any issues brought to my attention so for Ebony nuts on my fretless bases. I also add a drop or two of super thin CA glue to the bottom of the slot to harden it up a little ... maybe this is helping with the string wear

for fretted basses, keep in mind that I use a zero-fret in almost all of my builds, so the nut is really just a glorified string spacer. on my zero-fret set-up, the strings never actually rest on the nut slot bottom as it would reduce the resting pressure they have on the zero-fret

I've only had one reported Ebony nut breakage. on that one, the client whacked the nut against something and cracked off the edge supporting the E-string. I'm reasonably sure that a bone nut would also have cracked under the same circumstances

all the best,

R

PasdaBeer · #6 10-31-2009, 01:27 PM

ahh ok, Makes sence then

Also to OP
On Doublebass, ebony has been used for a long, long, long time : )

GODSBASSMAN · #7 10-31-2009, 01:47 PM

Excellent. Thanks.

Rocky McD · #8 10-31-2009, 03:43 PM

With a zero fret neck, I don't think the material used for the nut would have any importance except strength.

Rodent, what brand of strings are on the bass in the picture?
Rocky

**Rodent** · #9 10-31-2009, 05:00 PM

those are DR Sunbeams sized .045" - .125"

and agreed that the nut on a zero-fret instrument has very little (if any) sonic impact on the tone ... but choosing a nicely coordinating wood for the fingerboard/fretboard is a nice option so long as the wood chosen will resist side/side wear and breakage.

all the best,

R

GODSBASSMAN · #10 11-30-2009, 06:18 AM

OK. So I put on a ebony nut and took all the Hipshot A saddles out and replaced them with ebony blocks. I hear a softer change in the timbre and a bit of deepness out of this fretted bass now. Does this make sense or is it my imagination?
In any case, I love what this operation did for me.

tjclem · #11 11-30-2009, 07:46 AM

Well the nut should only change the open notes. Replacing the saddles with ebony sounds like an interesting idea for a fretless I should give it a go........t

GODSBASSMAN · #12 11-30-2009, 09:50 AM

Exactly my thoughts and what moved me to do the saddles, also. Bear in mind I removed the saddles and the ebony blocks just sitting there between the saddle division walls: floating and held there by the strings. This would be of concern to those not wanting to be involved in instrument setup for intonation, etc.
Fretless application would be great IMO.
I can imagine that one with the proper tools. etc could fit ebony saddles with threaded shank to accept the adjusting screw and height feet that would retain the adjustment functions.

Please, let me know what you think, Sir. Thanks.