marnold
March 1st, 2013, 09:14 PM
Since I had to go to Green Bay this week, I took my '51 to a local luthier who had done work for me before. The guitar had the slightest bit of fret sprout, which was only noticeable during the winter. He took care of it for me before I returned home and only charged me $18. Smooth as silk now! I mentioned to him that I set up the '51 myself. He said that normally he rolls his eyes when people say that, but he said that mine was set up almost perfectly! All he said he might do it tighten the truss rod a smidge. I agreed, but it was close enough for rock and roll for me. I feared that I'd get more buzz than I wanted.
We also talked about nuts. His son had installed a bone nut on my Charvel Model 7. I discussed the value of doing that on this guitar. He said that he loves doing that, but that I'd see little benefit to it relative to the cost (about $60 for the nut, slotting, and installation). I've got a TUSQ nut that I'll probably install someday, but I'm not in a big hurry. Some people swear that a TUSQ or bone nut will improve tone dramatically. I have difficulty seeing how that could be possible, unless you are playing a lot of open strings. This, of course is assuming that the nut is properly cut, the slots are the proper height, and no strings are catching. Bridges I can totally see because the string is always in contact with it.
I know back in the 80s there was a huge craze for brass nuts that died out. I suppose that would add a bit more mass to the headstock, but I can't imagine it being that significant. So I ask, am I wrong, or is nut material irrelevant assuming a) it is functioning properly and b) you aren't playing open strings? This is assuming that you aren't Eric Johnson who can hear things that only certain species of dogs can.
We also talked about nuts. His son had installed a bone nut on my Charvel Model 7. I discussed the value of doing that on this guitar. He said that he loves doing that, but that I'd see little benefit to it relative to the cost (about $60 for the nut, slotting, and installation). I've got a TUSQ nut that I'll probably install someday, but I'm not in a big hurry. Some people swear that a TUSQ or bone nut will improve tone dramatically. I have difficulty seeing how that could be possible, unless you are playing a lot of open strings. This, of course is assuming that the nut is properly cut, the slots are the proper height, and no strings are catching. Bridges I can totally see because the string is always in contact with it.
I know back in the 80s there was a huge craze for brass nuts that died out. I suppose that would add a bit more mass to the headstock, but I can't imagine it being that significant. So I ask, am I wrong, or is nut material irrelevant assuming a) it is functioning properly and b) you aren't playing open strings? This is assuming that you aren't Eric Johnson who can hear things that only certain species of dogs can.