Can strings taper past an appropriately cut nut? Or am I a fool?

[BtaylorTheRogue]

Not sure if this should go in the luthier's corner, strings, or setup, but I hope you guys have some knowledge.

I've got an unusual question/idea. I have a dingwall with a pretty long B, what are they, 37 inch scale. Pretty long.

I use DR Neons on my other instruments. They work well, really pop under the black lights, and liven up the show. I'd really love to put them on the dingwall, but the taper on the B string begins too soon. There's about what, 1/3 inch or so of tapered B past the nut.

I have played with strings that taper at the bridge, on the action side of the contact point. If this is doable, I thought it might be possible that the opposite is doable.

If I get a proper replacement bone nut, and have it cut for the dingwall with the B slot cut for the TAPERED diameter instead of the full diameter, will it work? Will it play and tune correctly? Will it blend intonate?

Or is this idea bound to fail?

 

[Turnaround]

You will likely have intonation problems at the first few frets. And you wil get some fret buzz unless you get a new nut - but you intend to do that anyway. A good luthier can make a compensated nut that will compromise for the intonation problem, but it won't be exact. But down that low I'm not sure it will be noticeable except in recording - then just use auto tune.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

In theory, with an appropriately cut nut, this should work fine. 2 caveats come to mind:

• Your 1st fret C might feel funny.
• If you fret close to the nut, you might get some buzz.

In practice, dunno. I'm weird about strings, and wouldn't do it for mental health reasons.

I loathe nut to tuner string splay, as well. (Except for symmetrical 2x2.)

 

[Zooberwerx]

You really don't want a "two-tiered" string on your fretboard as @Turnaround pointed out. Your intent is almost plausible...almost. This is why we can't use taper or exposed core strings when mounted backwards (i.e. Kubicki Ex Factor, NS Design, etc.). From a personal standpoint, if you butcher a perfectly good Dingwall to accommodate a neon green string, I will have GrubHub deliver a half-dozen unwanted / unneeded pizzas...stolen credit card, of course!

Riis

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

From a personal standpoint, if you butcher a perfectly good Dingwall to accommodate a neon green string

Don't worry, I just kinda needed to make sure I wasn't leaving a reasonable idea on the table.

But also, don't worry. I was gonna use neon pink ones.

 

[Arie X]

it'll feel weird, play weird and look weird. but it's your bass.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

it'll feel weird, play weird and look weird. but it's your bass.

Why will it feel differently than identical strings on a different scale? Will the tiny portion of exposed taper really make that big a difference?