Nuts, strings and things ... ???

Bluesman1989 · October 2015

I really want to try Jon Gomm's Newtone set, but generally use Elixir 12s.

The Newtones are 14-68 so the slots would definitely need widening a bit, but would I be fine to go back to my usual 12s if the 14s crippled me? Without needing a new nut?

Thanks!

ICBM · October 2015

Yes, if the grooves are cut correctly - with a smoothly rounded bottom (

), so the string will self-centre in it no matter what the gauge. I've converted guitars into baritones and back to normal before now without replacing the nut.

It's a myth that the nut grooves need to be accurately sized for the string gauge - in fact, they work better and cause less tuning problems when they're significantly wider, as long as they're done like that… the string then only contacts the nut along a line at the bottom, so minimising friction.

Bluesman1989 · October 2015

Sweet! Thank you! Just have to be sure to take it to someone reliable now!

Any chance you have some equally in depth info on the Planet Waves PW-SH-01 being used with a magnetic soundhole pickup? Most likely the Fishman R.E.B .....

Thanks again

guitargeek62 · October 2015

ICBM;809674" said:
Yes, if the grooves are cut correctly - with a smoothly rounded bottom ( ), so the string will self-centre in it no matter what the gauge. I've converted guitars into baritones and back to normal before now without replacing the nut.

It's a myth that the nut grooves need to be accurately sized for the string gauge - in fact, they work better and cause less tuning problems when they're significantly wider, as long as they're done like that… the string then only contacts the nut along a line at the bottom, so minimising friction.

That doesn't help if there's much string splay at the headstock though! The walls then come into play to a far greater degree (no pun intended).

Bluesman1989 · October 2015

It'd be on a Lowden if that helps any?

Thanks for the input guitargeek62

Sassafras · October 2015

As long as there's a decent break angle over the nut it shouldn't make much difference.

ICBM · October 2015

Sassafras said:

As long as there's a decent break angle over the nut it shouldn't make much difference.

Correct. All that happens is that the contact is no longer in the middle. If the groove is a smooth rounded curve of a larger diameter than the string, there can only be a single line of contact no matter if the string bends sideways or not.

Bluesman1989 · October 2015

Sounds like it probably worth a go

Thanks

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Nuts, strings and things ... ???

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