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| String nuts http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=40296 |
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| Author: | absrec [ Wed May 08, 2013 10:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | String nuts |
What causes that "dead" sound? Let's just assume that nut action, bridge action, neck straightness, neck pitch & fret level are all sufficient. The sound happens only when the string is played open. I get this from time to time and I end up just messing around with sandpaper, files, razor blades, etc. until it goes away but I'm not sure why it happens. It seems to only happen on the treble strings. Particularly the high "E". |
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| Author: | ZekeM [ Wed May 08, 2013 10:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
Not proper relief in the nut slot? Could be more flat than necessary. Causing it to be muted. You need the string to "break" over the front of the nut. |
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| Author: | B. Howard [ Wed May 08, 2013 11:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
Your nut slot is most likely lower at the front than at the back. The string floats through the slot and that deadens the vibrations. |
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| Author: | ZekeM [ Wed May 08, 2013 12:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
B. Howard wrote: Your nut slot is most likely lower at the front than at the back. The string floats through the slot and that deadens the vibrations. ^^ that's what I was trying to say^^ Boy am I bad at forming thoughts into sentences. |
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| Author: | absrec [ Wed May 08, 2013 2:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
I generally do file flat to get the basic height and then angle the file at the approximate angle of the string. I will have to start checking to make sure it's not sitting on a hump in the middle of the slot. Any other thoughts? How about if it still sounds dead when fretted? This is again assuming adequate string clearance. |
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| Author: | ZekeM [ Wed May 08, 2013 2:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
absrec wrote: How about if it still sounds dead when fretted? This is again assuming adequate string clearance. Then I would assume it is the same issue, this time on the saddle rather than the nut. |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Wed May 08, 2013 4:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
I always start with the cheapest thing on the instrument - that's strings. We are talking a few cents worth of steel and brass. Change the string, and then decide where to go next. Do a once over of the whole instrument, then start at the peghead and work to the butt of the guitar. |
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| Author: | dzsmith [ Wed May 08, 2013 5:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
Chris Pile wrote: I always start with the cheapest thing on the instrument - that's strings. We are talking a few cents worth of steel and brass. Change the string, and then decide where to go next. Do a once over of the whole instrument, then start at the peghead and work to the butt of the guitar. +1 on Old strings |
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| Author: | absrec [ Thu May 09, 2013 6:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
I'm working with new strings in most cases. This sort of thing is tough to figure out because its so microscopic. |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Thu May 09, 2013 10:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
New strings can sound like crap right outta the package. |
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| Author: | Barry Daniels [ Thu May 09, 2013 10:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: String nuts |
I never file at a flat (zero) angle. Always split the difference between flat and the headstock angle. This makes sure there is sufficient contact at the front edge of the nut. |
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