Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hal Allen on April 21, 2017 at 10:02am

For a 3 strung CBG!!

Permalink Reply by Blind Lemon Cello on April 21, 2017 at 10:04am

I prefer to notch each string to it's own depth, so the top of the string is even with the top of the bone nut. So my Bass strings will have a larger & deeper cut into the nut then my treble strings. I use a small V-shaped kind of file, works great. 

Permalink Reply by Hal Allen on April 23, 2017 at 6:57pm

  BLC

Thank you for the information!

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on April 21, 2017 at 10:24am

If the notch is too wide for the string you can get a buzz.

Permalink Reply by Hal Allen on April 23, 2017 at 6:57pm

  Duck

Thank I WI

L keep that in mind!

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on April 21, 2017 at 11:19am

The nut slot for a CBG is ideally a smooth tight fit, 1/2 the diameter of the string deep. It should be sloped upwards so the highest point is the edge of the nut/fretboard. Like others mentioned, if the slot is too wide, it might vibrate in the slot and make a buzzing sound, which can be pretty loud. If it is too tight, the string won't slide smoothly when tuning... (you will hear a popping sound as the string stretches, then slides, stretches, then slides...)

A good cheap tool is at your local welding supply store, they are tip cleaners for gas welders. These are tiny, cylindrical files that come in various sizes in a small kit. Before I bought good (expensive) slotting files, I just used a sharp triangular file, then used an old guitar string to wear in the slot a little, or to check the fit...

Practice, don't be in a hurry... you'll figure it out...

Permalink Reply by Hal Allen on April 23, 2017 at 7:01pm

  John

The highest point edge of nut, bridge side right, not tuner side?.

Thanks for the great information.

Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on May 2, 2017 at 5:55am

Check http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/nut-slots-with-principle... with a further link to http://www.lutherie.net/nuts.html brought to our knowledge by John Mackay.