Compensated Nut Layout Tool

[guitarzan13]

Jaydog, Have you thoght about doing a layout tool for bass?? I have this er... uh.....friend of mine that needs one.

[boris bubbanov]

When I saw the thread, I thought about the Earvana nut.

But curiosity got to me. This is good work. If I can ever break the habit of using precut nuts of graphtech and tusq (just installed 5 more yesterday) this will be a very important tool, indeed.

I admit using precisely the same string array, whether the neck is 1.63 or 1.70 at the nut does seem strange. Perhaps that will change now.

[jaydawg]

Originally Posted by guitarzan13

Jaydog, Have you thoght about doing a layout tool for bass?? I have this er... uh.....friend of mine that needs one.

Sure I'll make one up for ya. What guage strings do you use?

[Lostheart]

This is great. I just saw it and IMHO it deserves a bump!

[charlie chitlin]

OK...I've got the Stew-Mac ruler and really like it, but....don't the markings get progressively closer together as you move along the ruler?
The error would be very slight, but wouldn't it be less than exact because the markings get progressively closer?
It's not like I'm going to stop using it or anything...it's kind of a godsend...just curious.

[carlton]

Thanks. Cool idea.

[jaydawg]

I've been using this layout in my shop since I created it and it does work nicely. The only thing it doesn't do is maintain an 1/8" between the high/low E's and the outside of the nut. I'm updating the layout tool right now so that it will maintain that 1/8" on the outsides. I'll post it later this afternoon.

[jaydawg]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

OK...I've got the Stew-Mac ruler and really like it, but....don't the markings get progressively closer together as you move along the ruler?
The error would be very slight, but wouldn't it be less than exact because the markings get progressively closer?
It's not like I'm going to stop using it or anything...it's kind of a godsend...just curious.

They do get progressively closer but at an even rate on the Stew-Mac ruler. But the strings on a guitar do not get smaller at an even rate. That means you will never have a truly equally spaced layout. Remember we are talking small differences here, none of this life or death stuff. This chart was mainly for my own desire for a simple way to create an evenly spaced layout. I just though some other might find it helpful as well.

[jaydawg]

Here is an updated version of the nut spacing tool. This one maintains an even 1/8" on outside of each E string. So once you cut your nut to width just slide it up or down the scale until the outside of the nut lines up with the two outside lines. Then mark your string slot centers and cut away.

[jkn09]

thanks jaydawg...i found this thread a while back and forgot to print it off. I came back to print it bc i'm making my nut today. good timing on the update, huh?

[bluzjamer]

This is driving me nuts.......Great Job!

[jaydawg]

No problem. I should be giving back more. This place has taught me a lot.

[boris bubbanov]

If I were to adapt this cool tool to making my own nut for a 12 string electric, what spacing between the individual strings in each pair of 6 would ya'll recommend?

Much obliged.

[steve gibson]

Thanks Jaydawg!

[Brendan]

I've used this twice now and it's worked great. Thanks Jaydawg.

[jaydawg]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

If I were to adapt this cool tool to making my own nut for a 12 string electric, what spacing between the individual strings in each pair of 6 would ya'll recommend?

Much obliged.

I'm not sure Boris. I've never done a 12 string. Sorry.

Originally Posted by Brendan

I've used this twice now and it's worked great. Thanks Jaydawg.

Thanks Brendan. Good to know it's helped.

It's definitely a handy tool if you cutting your own nuts (that just don't sound right).

[slidincharlie]

Jaydawg,
Im' reading your thread only now, with a 1yr+ delay... Your ruler turns out very useful right now that I'm making a new bone nut for my National. I had a similar ruler, yet non-compensated for string size... I only hope that your ruler works for a .013-.056 set.
--Carlo

[jaydawg]

It will work with a set of 13's as well.

[alan999]

Hi Jaydawg,

Thanks a lot for your pdf. I know this thread is a little older now but I've only just found it. It seemed right to thank you for helping us out.

:0)

Any good tips for calculating the height of a new nut? I have ordered guaged nut files and a few other bits but not every tool in the book. Feeler gauges? A good eye?

Cheers

Alan

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by alan999

...

Any good tips for calculating the height of a new nut? I have ordered guaged nut files and a few other bits but not every tool in the book. Feeler gauges? A good eye?

Cheers

Alan

just start off with a blank, size to fit the board/neck slot, use a half pencil to calculate board radius on the nut (if need be), use it again to layout the string slot height on the blank ...

nutz