EPIPHONE EB-0, BEST REPLACEMENT NUT OPTIONS, BRASS ALSO.

Replacement Nut for Epiphone EB0?

Sure and it is purported to have other qualities. "Durable" has me perplexed, though -- unless you abuse it, a nut should last the life of the guitar.

 

Many moons ago, Guitar Player (before Bass Player split off) did nut comparisons. This was when brass was touted as the be-all, end-all. And then later there were those who touted fossilized mammoth tusk and an assortment of other esoterica. After all was said and done, nothing really beat a standard properly cut bone nut for price, tone, sustain, and longetivity.

 

I never did get the "tone" and "sustain" parts given that most of the time one is fretting notes.

 

You're right. But when comparing the open notes to fretted notes, maybe I should have said more consistent.

 

I think I would go to the Graph Tech web site; look up Tusq nuts; and either order a slotted one, or a blank, in the proper size. They have a guide that walks you through the whole thing. They aren't very expensive, and they work very well. Every bass I've had built, and every bass that needed the nut replaced, has had a Tusq nut installed. Well, except for my '73 Rick 4001. It has a brass nut, because, like, that was the thing to do back then, ya dig?

 

A few years ago I purchased a brass nut for an Epiphone EB from AxeMasters on eBay. I was happy with the results.

 

The axemasters are decent quality, but my dealings with them have been mixed at best. They come pre-slotted, but still need slot filing and some dressing/polish. I don’t think it makes much difference tone wise, but they look nice and last more or less forever. He claims they are “musical” brass alloy. Is that a real thing?

 

A proper nut still is the link between the strings and body resonance and tonality at that headstock end, even on fretted notes, so that even on fretted notes a bone nut lends to better tone and stability. Plastic doesn't transmit vibrations as well; brass nuts tend to grab and get winding grooves in the slots so strings don't tune up smoothly, and the other materials are not cost effective. Finally, a bone nut is the most consistent in tone for open strings compared to fretted notes. The only exception I see is a good Graph Tech graphite impregnated nut for those who use whammy bars.