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Musicman Compensated Nut

I just explained it to myself while I was in the process of replying that since the nut is out of the picture when you fret a note, how could it affect anything but open strings. The answer is that it changes (slightly) the length of the open string, so that all the frets are in (slightly) different proportional places on the string. This is the same way that an adjustable intonation bridge works, it's just operating on the other end of the string. Since you tune the string open to a standard, it affects every note *except* the open note.

I don't understand this. If I hit a note on the say 12th fret isn't the length of the string going to be 17" (34" scale). How does the nut have any effect on anything other than the open string.
 
mp40smg said:
I don't understand this. If I hit a note on the say 12th fret isn't the length of the string going to be 17" (34" scale). How does the nut have any effect on anything other than the open string.

The nut is about 1/8" thick, so moving the high point of the string groove to one side or the other is like adjusting your bridge saddles that much. It's not a huge difference, but it adds up in combo with the bridge saddles; and as tiny as the difference is, it legitimately does change the length of the string.
 
The nut is about 1/8" thick, so moving the high point of the string groove to one side or the other is like adjusting your bridge saddles that much. It's not a huge difference, but it adds up in combo with the bridge saddles; and as tiny as the difference is, it legitimately does change the length of the string.

Still not getting it. Assuming the frets are located in the standard positions (not fanned for example to make use of differing string lengths)...
If the open E is adjustable from 34.002" to 33.998" How does that effect the 3rd fret or the 12th fret?

By fretting the notes the effective length of the string is the distance of the fret to the bridge and the nut is irrelevant.

So.. A note played at the 12 fret is going to be a 17" . If the total string length of 34.002, 34.000 or 33.998 is not relevant as the not being played is 17" either way.

And how is having .002" (example) better/ more effective than having .002" of adjustment at the bridge where the instrument is intonated?
 
By fretting the notes the effective length of the string is the distance of the fret to the bridge and the nut is irrelevant.

The effective length may be between the fret and the bridge. But the length is not the only factor in the equation.

But the tension required to get the string to the correct pitch is determined by the scale length (nut to bridge).

The note, when fretted, will then be different as the string will be under a (slightly) different tension.
 
Since in the other thread, there was a lame pic posted of the compensated nut, here is a better one lifted from The Perfect Bass site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

just for a reference standpoint in case someone wanted a good pic of it to actually see what the deal is with this mysterious nut....

Will need to have a closer look at my MM when I get home. That nut looks different to the one on my '06 'ray.

(also have a fretless from the same time which doesn't have the comp. nut)
 
bunkaroo said:
Yeah I bet that goes back to why I bumped the thread - I think there are two different versions of this nut out there.

I would check with ebmm customer service. I had a nut break on my ray and I sent it to the company to have it replaced after a local tech screwed up the replacement they sent me.
 
madbassplaya said:
I would check with ebmm customer service. I had a nut break on my ray and I sent it to the company to have it replaced after a local tech screwed up the replacement they sent me.

I actually got my replacement nut from EBMM after giving them my serial # so that's what lead to my question. The nut obviously different than the one that came on the bass.
 
bunkaroo said:
I actually got my replacement nut from EBMM after giving them my serial # so that's what lead to my question. The nut obviously different than the one that came on the bass.

Yea, I had to do the same thing.

Every EBMM I've had have all been the same, so im no help. :hmm: