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The 0 fret string behind the nut

So I put a fret where the nut would have gone normally. I tested with a string on for intonation etc...all good. Now how do I keep the strings in place just after the (fret/nut)? Hence the 0 fret. I want to add a regular looking nut and file grooves to keep the strings in place.

My big question here is how do I keep the nut spacer from acting like a nut ( wont it hit the spacer as the frets are all the same size?)instead of a string tree or more a spacer sorta speak. Does the nut piece (being used as a spacer) go lower (via filing or placement) than the 0 fret? Higher? I don't get it I don't wanna have the nut be the nut. Some basic concept I am missing here. So once again so far the nut is regular fret. I have a bit of space just after that fret (headstock side) where I want to keep the strings going straighter to their respective tuning pegs. I wanted to use a nut for a string spacer but have it NOT function like the nut of the guitar.
Should the grooves filed be lower than the nut(the 0 fret?)

Thanks and sorry if I repeated myself here ...also how far away should the string spacer be away from the fret? Does it matter?

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 18, 2016 at 10:51pm

It can definitely be done with a '-1 fret' - I've probably done 100 like that. But you need enough angle pulling the strings down into those slots. Try putting as many wraps on the tuner post as it takes to bring the string right down to the bottom (this is good practice anyways..)

Another thing you might consider for future ones - if you design the head carefully to pull each string straight to each post, and angle the head down sufficiently - then you won't need a nut at all

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on June 19, 2016 at 12:10pm

Hi again, if you use the fret style spacer I would recommend [as mentioned by Wayfarer] a larger fret so you can cut the slots deeper and help with the break angle over the Zero fret and the pressure down on it, although it will not be much. The angle the strings take from the spacer fret nut to the tuner posts my indicate how deep the slots may need to be or if a spacer nut is needed. You can always use string trees to get a downward angle behind the nut. Cheers Taff

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on June 19, 2016 at 2:33pm

Nice ...haven't removed fret yet but I do think maybe large fret is a great idea really filled low and push the strings down as you said.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on June 19, 2016 at 4:52pm

Trying to keep the original fret and file way down . Thx

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on June 20, 2016 at 11:10am

Hi, Just one last thing that I consider and it is the height of the strings over the first fret. For my slide guitars and my style of playing, I prefer a slightly higher action there. It could depend on the stiffness of the strings, playing style and weight of the slide as to how high/low I set first fret action, so as to eliminate too much string to fret noise/rattle.

I remember on my early acoustic guitars back in the day, making bone nuts with a bone zero fret incorporated in it. Too much work but a good talking point.

Cheers Taff