Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all, When making a bone nut for a classical or flamenco with a 17° neck-headstock angle, should I file the top of the nut to match same with the goal of having the break point of the sting on the nut close to the fingerboard side of the nut ? I have seen classicals & flamenco with a flat bone or plastic nut and some pre-made Tusq with the ramp. Thanks again for the help!

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John Nowicki

I don't make classicals or flamenco's but on my SS's I like to angle the nut about 1/2 the headstock angle. I also make the nut slots angled back about the same. Even making the slots roll instead of being straight.

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Some of the best repairmen/luthiers do not bother. I think it is more important that the edges and corners are rounded, so you don't hang up when sometimes moving the index finger over the nut.

I can't see why the top of the nut would have to be at any particular angle, functionally. All the strings care about are the slots that they ride in and the points at which they touch that determine the speaking length.

Jim