navvid
September 18th, 2007, 03:31 PM
hey guys. my number one needs a new nut and i am trying to decide what material to use. my first inclination was bone, but one of my info sources recommended graphite, and since i don't have the slotting files (or the money to buy a set right now) and the labor is expensive if you want a skilled craftsman to cut it for you, i bought a peavy graphite replacement. since then i found an old contact that is very skilled, and will slot one for me for $40, and his well informed take is that he prefers ivory above all, and bone second. from my research this is what i have found:
1. bone
advantages: very hard so its durable, bright in tone, good sustain, tried and true nut of choice for many mojo slingers
disadvantages: hardness can be unforgiving when bending low on neck (cause catching effect), very bright tone
2. ivory
advantages: softer than bone but still hard and durable, a little less bright than bone (softness causes damping) but still bright, good sustain (but again less than bone due to damping), i have been told that it has the best feel when bending low on the neck as it has a very slippery feel (according to my friend, even better than graphite)
disadvantages: very expensive, hard to get, less harmonics than bone (again softness), if you're not buying fossilized mammoth ivory you are violating international law and apparently are a horrible person
3. graphite
advantages: inexpensive and easy to get, good durability, darker tone, slippery so less binding and string breakage (more forgiving)
disadvantages: less sustain, darker tone, less harmonics
4. tusq (i only recently became aware of this stuff and know very little)
advantages: self lubricating, good durability, seems to be preferred by many contemporary high end manufacturers, i have heard good things in general about these (among others that SRV used them, can anyone confirm?)
disadvantages:?????? it is a composite resin, so i imagine it will exhibit less harmonics and be less brightness than bone or ivory, though it is supposedly synthetic ivory (which i have heard is just bone powder suspended in a resin)
5. petroleum distillates (various plastics)
not even a consideration for any of my ladies
6. saber toothed tiger fang (still working on getting the blank)
7. other suggestions/opinions?
nrn
1. bone
advantages: very hard so its durable, bright in tone, good sustain, tried and true nut of choice for many mojo slingers
disadvantages: hardness can be unforgiving when bending low on neck (cause catching effect), very bright tone
2. ivory
advantages: softer than bone but still hard and durable, a little less bright than bone (softness causes damping) but still bright, good sustain (but again less than bone due to damping), i have been told that it has the best feel when bending low on the neck as it has a very slippery feel (according to my friend, even better than graphite)
disadvantages: very expensive, hard to get, less harmonics than bone (again softness), if you're not buying fossilized mammoth ivory you are violating international law and apparently are a horrible person
3. graphite
advantages: inexpensive and easy to get, good durability, darker tone, slippery so less binding and string breakage (more forgiving)
disadvantages: less sustain, darker tone, less harmonics
4. tusq (i only recently became aware of this stuff and know very little)
advantages: self lubricating, good durability, seems to be preferred by many contemporary high end manufacturers, i have heard good things in general about these (among others that SRV used them, can anyone confirm?)
disadvantages:?????? it is a composite resin, so i imagine it will exhibit less harmonics and be less brightness than bone or ivory, though it is supposedly synthetic ivory (which i have heard is just bone powder suspended in a resin)
5. petroleum distillates (various plastics)
not even a consideration for any of my ladies
6. saber toothed tiger fang (still working on getting the blank)
7. other suggestions/opinions?
nrn