Nuts

[mtjam]

I just got done applying lemon oil to my fingerboard, and as I was getting ready to put strings on....my nut fell off! I'm sure it's an easy repair, but I'm going to make an appointment with my local luthier to do the job right. Then I got thinking...should I get the original nut reinstalled or get him to make me a new one? Should I stick with brass?


Has anyone here ever changed their Alembic nut from a brass one? If so, what were the results? I'm not trying to tinker with the formula that makes the signature sound we all love, but I am curious. Why did Alembic decide to go with brass nuts in the first place?


Maybe this is the time to change my nut to a newer, adjustable one. Decisions, decisions.


I eagerly await your expert input. Thanks!

[lbpesq]

Rob:

No need to take your baby to a luthier.  There is nothing wrong with your nut.  Just put the nut back in the slot.   (Make sure it is oriented correctly, bass v. treble strings).   The string tension will hold it in place, no problem.  If it bugs you that it is loose without strings, just use a small dab of superglue.  As for brass, it provides more sustain and the sound of the open strings is closer to that of the fretted strings than with a bone or synthetic nut.  Of course switching it out for a newer Alembic adjustable nut is an excellent choice.  Very few guitars and basses sport adjustable nuts - why, I have no idea.  It is a great design, IMHO.

Bill, tgo

[mica]

Just a drop of super glue - you can do that yourself!

Brass sounds makes the open strings sound more like the fretted strings.

No need to change to adjustable if what you have is working fine. But we're really conservative on this issue - LOTS of people decide to change out perfectly good fixed nuts for adjustable ones just because they want to, and that is a good enough reason of course.

[mtjam]

Back in action! Thanks for the advice. I think I'll stick with the original nut.