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multi-purpose nut

So I have been thinking about my builds and how I will change out the gauges of string every so often. And I usually have to use a paper towel or similar material to close the gap on the nut to cut vibration. I have been toying with the idea of a removable nut to allow different strings to be used. However beyond that I was wondering if there might be a material that is soft enough to conform to the gauge of string yet strong enough to not collapse under the tension.? Maybe like a stiff foam material. Any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 17, 2010 at 3:47am

some really good ideas came out of this question bro, good stuff..
my .02....

1 if the nut is a gibson style one, rather square in profile and at end of fingerboard, maybe u could flip it rather than have another, ie slot more than one side of it...
2. zero frets are a great idea, i really like em..
3. if u slot ur nut so the slot is deeper at tuner end than at fingerboard end, strings which are too skinny for the slot rattle and buzz a lot less..
4. those pins or brad nails in the uke nut.. wow! i never woulda thort of that..
5. U can never have enuff dobro extender nuts, otherwise what would u do with all the shitty guitars u pick up?

6. wichita is the clear winner, quit yer bitchen and build another one

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Permalink Reply by Crow on June 17, 2010 at 3:56am

@jeff long

"4. those pins or brad nails in the uke nut.. wow! i never woulda thort of that.."
my builds have used this since the beginning. it's part of the solution to using eye bolts for tuners, but i've found that i can tighten my guide bolts all the way down to keep down pressure on a zero nut as well. i'll post a picture later..

"5. U can never have enuff dobro extender nuts, otherwise what would u do with all the shitty guitars u pick up?"
man, i WISH i knew about slide playing and extender nuts YEARS AGO!!! there are so many shitty guitars i gave up on after dragging them around for years... i could have had an entire COLLECTION of different acoustic slide guitars...!!!

"6. wichita is the clear winner, quit yer bitchen and build another one"
AMEN BROTHER!

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 17, 2010 at 5:36am

Crow said:

@jeff long
..... i could have had an entire COLLECTION of different acoustic slide guitars...!!!!...

They work equally well on solids dude ;) ie they are lap steel converters too...
they dont work so great on a fender style nut (ie a skinny one fixed in a slot in fingerboard), but they work on a gibson type real nice..

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Permalink Reply by NoxTerran on June 17, 2010 at 8:59am

we use a bolt, it falls in the grooves to not move, doesnt vibrate on the bolt and i can swap strings left and right without haveing to change nuts

just a thought

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on June 20, 2010 at 1:55am

Randy thats to nice looking to be called a D bow, I think you need a new name for it, when I think of a D bow I think of a 2 x 4 with an old jar 2 nails and some wire, That really looks nice.
Randy S. Bretz said:

Here`s my experimental d-bow so far. A piezo in the nut and one in the bridge.

Randy S. Bretz said:

Sorry I thought the whole discussion was about using the nut for 2 diff. types of stringed instruments. Like the bone nut I just made. Oh well I`m going to continue with this experimental d-bow, really interested in how the nut will sound with the piezo buried in it and also how it can be used for either a slide or fingering the fretboard on the lower slot. Also want to try a fiddle bow on it when it`s in the lower slot. I`m making one of my bone piezo bridges for this d-bow also. Now I also want to add a toggle switch so I can go from; nut- nut and bridge- bridge, plus a volume control would also be nice add-on. I plan on putting all the parts on a natural white birch tree limb. Will keep you all posted on it`s progress.

colin mcgrath said:

there really is no drama just talk amongst enthusiast's. But, I.E. to replace a .045 gauge with a .025 there is enough of a difference in the size of the slot to compensate the sound of the new string. Or going to larger gauge, the same thing.

Andrew Fowle said:

I'm not sure I understand the problem here, I've changed string guage quite a few times on my store bought guitars with no dramas. What are the dramas people experience when doing this with CBGs, and why would they not behave the same as any other guitar nut?

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Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on June 20, 2010 at 6:22am

that looks cool. Ready to play?
Randy S. Bretz said:

Here`s my experimental d-bow so far. A piezo in the nut and one in the bridge.

Randy S. Bretz said:

Sorry I thought the whole discussion was about using the nut for 2 diff. types of stringed instruments. Like the bone nut I just made. Oh well I`m going to continue with this experimental d-bow, really interested in how the nut will sound with the piezo buried in it and also how it can be used for either a slide or fingering the fretboard on the lower slot. Also want to try a fiddle bow on it when it`s in the lower slot. I`m making one of my bone piezo bridges for this d-bow also. Now I also want to add a toggle switch so I can go from; nut- nut and bridge- bridge, plus a volume control would also be nice add-on. I plan on putting all the parts on a natural white birch tree limb. Will keep you all posted on it`s progress.

colin mcgrath said:

there really is no drama just talk amongst enthusiast's. But, I.E. to replace a .045 gauge with a .025 there is enough of a difference in the size of the slot to compensate the sound of the new string. Or going to larger gauge, the same thing.

Andrew Fowle said:

I'm not sure I understand the problem here, I've changed string guage quite a few times on my store bought guitars with no dramas. What are the dramas people experience when doing this with CBGs, and why would they not behave the same as any other guitar nut?

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Permalink Reply by Mark on June 21, 2010 at 3:07am

I make my nuts out of aluminium (aluminum to americans) and fix them in place with screws. The advantages are numerous:
- Aluminium is a relatively soft metal that's easy to work but hard enough to make a good nut.
- Being softer than steel or bronze, means aluminium won't be too bad in terms of string wear.
- By fixing with screws I can remove or swap nuts as often as I want.
- By fixing with screws I can fine adjust the action by using shims made from aluminium kitchen foil.