Type of material to use for/as a nut?

Posted by J.Hofmann on March 3, 2010 at 2:01pm
Hey folks!
Greetings from Marietta, GA.
Does anyone have any creative ideas for a nut? I'm about to hit the hardware store
for some supplies for my very first CBG build and I was thinking of something metal...
brass perhaps?...not to sure, any help would be greatly appreciated!
J.

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Replies

  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates March 8, 2010 at 9:33am
    Some stone countertop companies might have some Corian samples. I make them out of that. Cuts like bone.

    -WY
  • Mark March 8, 2010 at 8:49am
    I've used aluminium (or as you Americans know it aluminum) very successfully. I found lengths of 10mm x 10mm bar at my local DIY store. I attach my nuts to my necks with screws that allow me to easily remove them if I need to raise or lower the action at the nut (lowering by filing the string slots and raising by putting shims under the nut - for which I use aluminium foil)
  • Alan Roberts March 8, 2010 at 7:12am
    No reason why you can't use a bolt for a nut. Traditional. Quick. Functional. Be sure that the nut doesn't slowely cut your strings, though.

    I went with the classic bone nut/saddle. Yes, it has to be slotted, beveled and tinkered with to get the action JUST right, but dang if I'm not ALL about tinkering.

    SAFETY WARNING! If you file bone, be aware that the dust is hard on your lungs. I didn't quit tobacco to kill myself with guitar making. I go OUTSIDE and wear a dust mask.
  • J.Hofmann March 6, 2010 at 9:03pm
    Thank y'all sooo much for the input...this 1st build has a screw for the nut, but after seeing the replies, I went out and got some more supplies for later builds....um, I think I'm addicted. Gonna takes some pics of my very first cbg and hopefully post'em later....if I can put down my CBG!
    Thanks guys!
  • Wichita Sam March 3, 2010 at 11:04pm
    CORIAN... works a lot like bone, but doesn't stink.... more durable than wood, more traditional looking than brass bolts...

    The other way to go is with a zero fret.....
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 3, 2010 at 7:29pm
    Very nice Randy. Do you think there is a sound difference using a wood nut compared to a metal one?
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 3, 2010 at 7:19pm
    I used machine screws on one of mine, needed some filing at an angle to stop some buzzing, but it works well. See picks on my home page. I also used the tried and true threaded rod for one. Both work well.
  • Mark Perkins March 3, 2010 at 7:10pm
    I have used bolts and aluminum angle iron, but my favorite is using a plastic/corian cutting board you can buy at any Walmart. The cutting board is easy to cut, shape and file and it seems to hold up to the strings pretty well. The thickness is about 1/4 in. but you can shave it down if you want thinner.
  • Dianne Woods March 3, 2010 at 5:38pm
    Hey, greetings from Fitzgerald, Ga, south of you. How bout a brass bolt or screw? I have used it on both nuts and bridges. Check out my page. If you use those, you won't have to cut the slots for the strings.
    Good luck. Bone, donineos, piece of carved wood are a few things you can use, but you will have to cut the string slots in them. I hope it helps.
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