So you're cutting a new nut for a guitar.

Do you space the nut slots so that they are equally spaced from
centerline to centerline or space the slots so that there is equal
spacing between strings?

Discuss...

Dave Van wrote:
> So you're cutting a new nut for a guitar.
> 
> Do you space the nut slots so that they are equally spaced from
> centerline to centerline or space the slots so that there is equal
> spacing between strings?
> 
> Discuss...

I find a nut I like and copy the spacing :-)

David

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:1baecb42-d9bb-48de-ada6-187316ae2912@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> So you're cutting a new nut for a guitar.
>
> Do you space the nut slots so that they are equally spaced from
> centerline to centerline or space the slots so that there is equal
> spacing between strings?
>
> Discuss...

Google is a friend....my contribution to the discussion

http://www.weedsellit4u.com/weedsellit4u/contentpages/HowToos/Measure_Nut.aspx

John

"Dave Van"  wrote in message
news:1baecb42-d9bb-48de-ada6-187316ae2912@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> So you're cutting a new nut for a guitar.
>
> Do you space the nut slots so that they are equally spaced from
> centerline to centerline or space the slots so that there is equal
> spacing between strings?
>
> Discuss...

First mark the two outer string positions (1 and 6) allowing 2 - 3 mm in 
from edge of fingerboard to avoid strings slipping off the edge while 
playing.  If you use a capo regularly it is a good idea to allow plenty 
space at the edges so that you do not push a string off the fingerboard when 
fitting the capo in the neat of battle!

Divide the remaining space on the nut for the four inner strings.  Some 
people, myself included, like to allow a bit more for the lower, thicker 
strings and closer spacing for the unwound;  others just divide the space 
equally.  As David K suggested, work from a nut you like the spacing on and 
use it as a template.  As with all things, the more nuts you cut the more 
you get to a stage where you feel happy with what you are doing.  Also, 
individual players have different needs just as in setting action, etc. 
Slimmer fingers can deal with tighter spacing.  If for yourself, then cut to 
your tastes:  if for someone else, find out what they prefer - the joys of 
personal tailoring!

I make mandolin necks with a 34mm nut width and this appeals to guitar 
players who prefer a bit more space than the normal mando nut width.

HTH

John Kelly

On Fri, 30 May 2008 17:29:18 -0700 (PDT), Dave Van
 wrote:

>So you're cutting a new nut for a guitar.
>
>Do you space the nut slots so that they are equally spaced from
>centerline to centerline or space the slots so that there is equal
>spacing between strings?
>
>Discuss...

I always use the spacing taken from the old nut if it was OK like
that.

Never fails to work for me.

Steve.

"SteveShark" <steveATguitarsDOTpowernetDOTcoDOTuk> wrote in message 
news:sf82445ts96g6g6n2rg3u8ght9ai9n9g5q@4ax.com...
>
> I always use the spacing taken from the old nut if it was OK like
> that.

I used to calculate spacing compensated for the string gauge but these days 
use the Stewmac spacing rule which is very quick and seems to work well.

Steve.

"Jaygo"  wrote in message 
news:6achs5F36dfi0U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> http://www.weedsellit4u.com/weedsellit4u/contentpages/HowToos/Measure_Nut.aspx

But I can't see anything in that page about string spacing...?

Steve.

On Fri, 30 May 2008 17:29:18 -0700 (PDT), Dave Van  wrote:
>So you're cutting a new nut for a guitar.
>
>Do you space the nut slots so that they are equally spaced from
>centerline to centerline or space the slots so that there is equal
>spacing between strings?
>
>Discuss...

Decide where the outer strings should go and divide the space between
them evenly...

On my Antoria I adopted an old trick of squeezing the bottom strings
slightly closer together and stretching the top ones slightly further
apart - to give more space for string-bending in chords near the nut.
On old country player thing...

-- 
Cheers,
Stan Barr     t-bone .at. dial .dot. pipex .dot. com

The future was never like this!

Steve Robinson wrote:
> "Jaygo"  wrote in message 
> news:6achs5F36dfi0U1@mid.individual.net...
>> http://www.weedsellit4u.com/weedsellit4u/contentpages/HowToos/Measure_Nut.aspx
> 
> But I can't see anything in that page about string spacing...?
> 
> Steve. 
> 
> 


Me neither.  I wasn't looking for advice either.  Just saw varying 
opinions on different web sites and thought it would be an interesting 
discussion for the group.

"Steve Robinson"  wrote in message 
news:8O90k.506$E41.142@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> "Jaygo"  wrote in message 
> news:6achs5F36dfi0U1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> http://www.weedsellit4u.com/weedsellit4u/contentpages/HowToos/Measure_Nut.aspx
>
> But I can't see anything in that page about string spacing...?
>
> Steve.
We are obviously not interpreting the the nut measurement from the
position of the first to sixth string.

</quote>
 "For the E-to-E string spacing measurement, measure as closely as
possible to the centre of each string slot."
<quote>

therefore you shouldn't require a mathematics degree to find the centre
of where strings 2, 3 etc should go. It should be quite straightforward
using calipers/ruler/micrometer. the width and depth of groove is
slightly tricky from experience "measure twice cut once"

Sorry its not more comprehensive for you.

John

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:bef0k.5302$mh5.3510@nlpi067.nbdc.sbc.com...
> Steve Robinson wrote:
>> "Jaygo"  wrote in message 
>> news:6achs5F36dfi0U1@mid.individual.net...
>>> http://www.weedsellit4u.com/weedsellit4u/contentpages/HowToos/Measure_Nut.aspx
>>
>> But I can't see anything in that page about string spacing...?
>>
>> Steve.
>
>
> Me neither.  I wasn't looking for advice either.  Just saw varying 
> opinions on different web sites and thought it would be an interesting 
> discussion for the group.

All I can say Dave is you ended your original text with a ?, the advice
given to any question is bound to create discussion anyway.

I use the method of equal spacing, if anything other than that was a benefit
to playing guitars I'm sure manufactures would have moved away
from  - what appears to be - the standard equidistant spacing, I
do understand some may want a different action height and the
odd pair of strings closer but that again is a personal preference
and not the standard.

Cheers John

Jaygo wrote:
> 
> 
> "Dave Van"  wrote in message 
> news:bef0k.5302$mh5.3510@nlpi067.nbdc.sbc.com...
>> Steve Robinson wrote:
>>> "Jaygo"  wrote in message 
>>> news:6achs5F36dfi0U1@mid.individual.net...
>>>> http://www.weedsellit4u.com/weedsellit4u/contentpages/HowToos/Measure_Nut.aspx 
>>>>
>>>
>>> But I can't see anything in that page about string spacing...?
>>>
>>> Steve.
>>
>>
>> Me neither.  I wasn't looking for advice either.  Just saw varying 
>> opinions on different web sites and thought it would be an interesting 
>> discussion for the group.
> 
> All I can say Dave is you ended your original text with a ?, 

Actually, I ended it with "Discuss..."  And lead in with "So YOU"RE 
cutting a new nut..."

If I were doing it, I would set the string spacing equally center to center.

Peace

DV