Notched nuts

[deadedith]

I've read some pros and cons about notching between the string slots on the nut. Theory being that, without dispersing some of the string energy to the bone on either side of the slot, notch that bone out of the way and all the energy will stay focused. OTOH, I think that's a non-seequitur; the energy might just disperse into the thin air on either side of the slot.

Please weigh in on this if you can.
Thanks
DaveB

[Tony_in_NYC]

Jason Kostal does it and I think Somogyi. Kostal is a Somogyi apprentice. Take that for what its worth. I'll post a pic later from home.

[kencierp]

An opinion -- "Hocus pocus" --- Purhaps we could train a "dog" to hear any difference -- again only my $.02

[deadedith]

LOL.
DaveB

[Tony_in_NYC]

Aye!! Here be the pictures I were speaking of afore: (I am pretending to be a pirate. Not sure why.)



The whole thread can be found at the Acoustic Guitar Forum. Here is a link to it:
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru ... p?t=200003

The guitar is beautiful, but I am not sure how I feel about this guys nuts. I am used to rounded nuts, not this lumpy, notched type of nuts.
Hmmm...double entendre? Yes. Yes it is. It is also in poor taste, but that is what I do best.

[kencierp]

I've used that scalloped "appearance treatment" on both compensated saddles and the nuts --- I gave "zero" consideration as to the +/-'s related to sound quality. Actually I first saw it on an old timey instrument at Elderly's -- can't remember if it was even a guitar -- it had strings.

[Tony_in_NYC]

Frank Ford has some pictures of nuts like this at frets.com. They tend to break between the strings according to him and him seems to know a fair bit about stringy instruments.

[johnnparchem]

It looks cool! At least different and displays a level of craft. I have not progressed to the level of getting my slots in the right place. I think I will first master that.

[Ken Hundley]

I kind of like the look of it, but I think it goes against my personal feel for the neck. To me, the lighter the neck, the more it vibrates. The more the neck vibrates, the less energy gets imparted back to the soundboard, which is emitting the sound you hear. Scalloping the nut, to me, is removing some of the material that "reflects" the energy rather than using it by converting to motion...i.e. neck vibration. I want the energy to stay in the strings, not get transmitted into the neck. If it stays in the strings, the part that is supposed to vibrate will, and more so. I would also think it would be less robust. God forbid you should accidentally bump a mic stand or music stand, I'd think you'd chip the scallops right off, where as the solid nut might be a little tougher. Accidents do happen. My opinions anyway.

[tippie53]

It may be a design idea but I can't see any advantage. I think I would rather train my dog to lay down than hear the scalloped nut . I think that sounds more like a bad disease .