zero nut not?

[teletin]

What's the problem with zero nuts? Why isn't it used more often (say: always) to avoid most problems associated with nuts, like difficult to properly set it up yerself without proper tools and knowledge.
When I first saw a zero-nut guitar (>30 yrs ago) I thought it was a good idea but somehow most people tend to avoid it like it is something 'not done' or just wrong.

Why?

[quackerz]

Originally Posted by teletin

What's the problem with zero nuts? Why isn't it used more often (say: always) to avoid most problems associated with nuts, like difficult to properly set it up yerself without proper tools and knowledge.
When I first saw a zero-nut guitar (>30 yrs ago) I thought it was a good idea but somehow most people tend to avoid it like it is something 'not done' or just wrong.

Why?

I think you mean zero-fret and I agree 100%.

I have no idea why. I've had a couple of guitars with a zero-fret and they were never a problem.

[WonderCouncil]

Agreed too; most of my first guitars were old 60's beaters from Japan that all had zero frets. I heard there's a way to set it up with an old metal coat hanger cut down to fit between the strings and fret board but I have a feeling it doesn't work with most guitars since I think the nut has to kind of be cut to compensate for the zero fret.

I never really thought about it but most guitar techs should be able to set your guitar up with a zero fret right?

[quackerz]

Originally Posted by 3StringGuitar

I never really thought about it but most guitar techs should be able to set your guitar up with a zero fret right?

Or something similar, but it would be quicker and cheaper just to have him do a proper nut job so why bother? A good nut job should last the life of the guitar.

[WonderCouncil]

Very true; but wouldn't having the zero fret there affect the tone of an open chord? I've heard it argued that having that extra fret can help give open chords a still fretted sound so it doesn't clash as much when going from open to bared. Although mind you I'm one of those that I doubt would even notice the difference hah.

[teletin]

Originally Posted by quackerz

I think you mean zero-fret

Ofcourse you are right.

[quackerz]

Originally Posted by 3StringGuitar

Very true; but wouldn't having the zero fret there affect the tone of an open chord? I've heard it argued that having that extra fret can help give open chords a still fretted sound so it doesn't clash as much when going from open to bared. Although mind you I'm one of those that I doubt would even notice the difference hah.

Zero-fret, bone, plastic, aluminum, brass, composites, steel - I think you'd have to play a heck of a lot more open strings than me to notice the difference. Sure, any change in material will affect the tone, but to what degree and in a positive or negative manner? It's all subjective.

[Maestro]

It has been said that with a zero fret the sound of the open string and that of the fretted string are the same. I don't know about that.

What I do know is that I love zero frets, I have about 8 guitar/string instruments with thm and they solve a lot of problems.

But because it's also the cheapest way to get things right it was used by cheap guitar manufactuars, therefore: the big guitar makers look down on them. And since a wll cut nut is just as good as a zero fret (or thats the claim) they tend to use the nut-way. If I ever get that damm partscaster finished It will have a zero fret.

I also love zerofrets because they lightly increase the string lenght in the first position and that maks it easier to get all the basic chords. And it's also usefull when playing chet style.

It's funny I always thought I was the only one who liked them.

[Jimi_is_God]

I have Steinberger which I like that has a 0 nut that I dislike. When bending stings at around the 2nd fret, I can feel the string sloshing around on the 0 fret as opposed to it being locked in place with a nut. I also feel the string swaying at the 0 fret with heavy vibrato low on the neck.

I am thinking about installing a nut or a notched fret. Has anyone here ever made that conversion?

[red57strat]

Didn't Brian Setzer have the zero fret removed from his Gretsches?