So I know that the nut should be cut so that, when the string is fretted after the second fret, there is as little as possible space between the string and the first fret without it touching.
Am I right in thinking that, because this straight line is created by the bottom of the string, then a nut could be cut using, say, an 8 gauge set and it would apply to a 13 gauge set (or vice versa)?
I'm purely talking about how deeply the nut is cut, I know that for different string gauges the width of each slot will need to be different and that the extreme example I've used is purely theoretical.
The real world situation that's prompting this enquiry is to know that if I cut the nut using 9 gauge strings to set the depth; could I switch to 10 gauge without it then possibly touching the frets?
Comments
Since the groove should also be wider than the string and *not* a tight fit, as long as it's just wider than the largest gauge you will use then it will take any gauge below that as well - provided the groove is cut correctly with a smooth rounded bottom. ( )
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It's actually a myth that the groove needs to be cut accurately for the string gauge - in fact, it can be greater than that with no problem, *provided* it's shaped correctly. The correct shape is a semi-circular bottom, of slightly larger radius than the string - that means the string will always sit at the bottom of the groove and only contact it along a single line in the middle. (Hence why it then doesn't matter what gauge the string is, the bottom of it will always be at the same height.)
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein