[USGold]

If I should decide to replace a nut-whats the consensus on the best direction to be looking?Scott

[Rockerbob]

I still prefer bone.

[USGold]

Reason? tone?--thanks for the reply Keith---Scott

[nagukush]

I have no idea, but I'd sure like to know it
-Kush

[Ultimate Garage Band]

I'd like to know what guitar we're discussing. ;-)

[USGold]

I was thinking about what appears to be a plastic nut on my Stagg LP.

[Ultimate Garage Band]

Personally, I wouldn't replace it until it needs it.

A roller nut is more commonly used for a guitar with a tremelo bridge to keep the strings from binding as they decrease and increase in tension. It helps keep them in tune. I suppose that would hold true for a fixed bridge too but I'm not sure I've ever seen a roller nut on a guitar w/a fixed bridge.

Many guitars use a graphite nut for the same purpose; to ease movement w/o binding. Being that it has no moving parts I prefer that to a roller nut and I do have some fixed bridge guitars w/graphite nuts.

There are lots of opinions on merits of tone characteristics and nut material. My own opinion is, especially on electric guitars that depend so much on electronics and amplifiers for the ultimate tone that comes out of the speakers, nut material makes virtually no difference to the end result tone. On acoustic guitars there can be a more notable difference, however, the nut only affects the tone when the string is played open. Once you fret a note, or use a capo, the nut material is moot. For just about any given chord I play, other than an Em I'm only using 3 open strings maximum and most chords I play use 2 or less open strings. For that reason, I personally can't justify taking a perfectly good nut made of plastic and replacing w/some other material. When the original plastic one wears out, the world's my oyster, but until then, plastic is fine w/me.

Geez, it must have been late at night or something when I typed that as you can see by comparing my edited post and the quote of the original below. I probably said "bridge" instead of "nut" 4 times!! ;-D

[munky]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Garage Band

Personally, I wouldn't replace it until it needs it.

A roller nut is more commonly used for a guitar with a tremelo bridge to keep the strings from binding as they decrease and increase in tension. It helps keep them in tune. I suppose that would hold true for a fixed bridge too but I'm not sure I've ever seen a roller bridge on a guitar w/a fixed bridge.

Many guitars use a graphite nut for the same purpose; to ease movement w/o binding. Being that it has no moving parts I prefer that to a roller bridge and I do have some fixed bridge guitars w/graphite bridges.

There are lots of opinions on merits of tone characteristics and nut material. My own opinion is, especially on electric guitars that depend so much on electronics and amplifiers for the ultimate tone that comes out of the speakers, nut material makes virtually no difference to the end result tone. On acoustic guitars there can be a more notable difference, however, the nut only affects the tone when the string is played open. Once you fret a note, or use a capo, the nut material is moot. For just about any given chord I play, other than an Em I'm only using 3 open strings maximum and most chords I play use 2 or less open strings. For that reason, I personally can't justify taking a perfectly good nut made of plastic and replacing w/some other material. When the original plastic one wears out, the world's my oyster, but until then, plastic is fine w/me.

I agree completely. There are many other upgrades you can make, at least with an electric guitar, that will have a far greater impact on the tone than replacing the nut.

My Epi Les Paul had a plastic nut when I bought it, but I broke it when putting on a heavier gauge string set. I had it replaced with a bone nut, but for all intents and purposes it's the same.

[USGold]

Thanks guys-I appreciate the input---my reason for asking is that last time I changed the strings on it--and it's pretty new-only had a couple of sets or strings applied--I noticed that the nut appeared to be cutting at G B and E--what do you think-is this just a cheap nut? Should I worry about it or plan on replacing?

[Ultimate Garage Band]

It's probably just new. When it wears down to the point that you can't dial out a buzz, replace it.

[USGold]

ok -good and thanks UGB-appreciate all the good a sound advise from you. Scott

[jimbeaux]

Originally Posted by USGold

If I should decide to replace a nut-whats the consensus on the best direction to be looking?Scott

Well, your question and the responses made me do some searching (because I wanted to know also), and here's a comprehensive discussion on a slightly different reason for changing to a different nut.

http://www.guitartrader.com/z040401earvana.icl?srcdoc=

[USGold]

Very interesting--I went to the company website to read haow it's installed.

Does anybody have this nut system installed -please write and tell us about it and what benefits you think it has made. Thanks again all that responed. Scott

[jimbeaux]

Hey Scott, here's one in action on an ESP Horizon (plus it gives me an opportunity to show a guy who can sho' nuff rock playing yet another Canon Rock cover).

[jimbeaux]

OOPS, forgot the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9nb7TsulWQ