Brass nuts?
+2
Adey
Barry
6 posters
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Brass nuts?
No, not getting personal. Just talkin' 'bout yer geetar's nuts.
Many of the Mats guitars and basses came with brass nuts (often with corresponding brass bridges). I have always liked them for their beauty (when clean) and durability, and they lend a brightness to what might otherwise be a flatter output, with plastic for example.
But when I got my Vantage VP710 it had a bone nut, along with an MMK53/61 combo. And the sound is quite different.
Our Westbone has been known to replace the brass nut on certain models claiming the sound is improved. I think he may be right.
In a talk with Tom Presley I asked him once about the choice of brass, was it a considered design decision, and he replied that it was more economically based. Brass was inexpensive and easy to work with. So much for a higher plan!
As a final observation, I think the brass may go a long way to help brighten up the tone of the MMK45's which although powerful, can tend to be a bit a muddy at times.
What's your experience?
Many of the Mats guitars and basses came with brass nuts (often with corresponding brass bridges). I have always liked them for their beauty (when clean) and durability, and they lend a brightness to what might otherwise be a flatter output, with plastic for example.
But when I got my Vantage VP710 it had a bone nut, along with an MMK53/61 combo. And the sound is quite different.
Our Westbone has been known to replace the brass nut on certain models claiming the sound is improved. I think he may be right.
In a talk with Tom Presley I asked him once about the choice of brass, was it a considered design decision, and he replied that it was more economically based. Brass was inexpensive and easy to work with. So much for a higher plan!
As a final observation, I think the brass may go a long way to help brighten up the tone of the MMK45's which although powerful, can tend to be a bit a muddy at times.
What's your experience?
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
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Re: Brass nuts?
Surely, once you fret a string, or a series of strings, the perceived influence of the brass nut goes away.
I have never noticed a marked difference in tone between say an open D string, and when it has been fretted one fret up, at an F.
Saddles though is another thing - but I don't have anything that I could really use to compare, say, a difference of brass saddle and a steel saddle as the only parameter that has changed. (Maybe I should buy a few more guitars to do a proper comparison...)
I know that Damian is convinced by the differences that the nut makes. Perhaps I am just tonally unrefined!
I have never noticed a marked difference in tone between say an open D string, and when it has been fretted one fret up, at an F.
Saddles though is another thing - but I don't have anything that I could really use to compare, say, a difference of brass saddle and a steel saddle as the only parameter that has changed. (Maybe I should buy a few more guitars to do a proper comparison...)
I know that Damian is convinced by the differences that the nut makes. Perhaps I am just tonally unrefined!
Adey- Financial supporter
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Location : Horsham, UK
Registration date : 2014-01-25
Re: Brass nuts?
That's true for the string(s) being fretted, however, the open strings are still vibrating at the the nut. And there's likely more open string output in the course of playing, particularly when playing rhythm, and particularly on the bass strings.
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Brass nuts?
I'll have to tune one of my guitars to an open G and give a a gentle strum. And then see haow it sounds when barred across all strings at first fret. Maybe it will have a different tone.
Normally, when I am playing rhythm (which is my usual role) I think I probably inadvertantly mute most of the remaining open strings anyway due to hands like shovels and fingers like sausages...
That, and being a bit of an amateur!
Normally, when I am playing rhythm (which is my usual role) I think I probably inadvertantly mute most of the remaining open strings anyway due to hands like shovels and fingers like sausages...
That, and being a bit of an amateur!
Adey- Financial supporter
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Location : Horsham, UK
Registration date : 2014-01-25
Re: Brass nuts?
I remember TP saying that, too! I've put brass nuts on most of my projects simply because I feel that they brighten up the sound a little and because brass is slippery - theoretically no string binding in the slots. At some stage, however, I plan to swap a couple out for bone and/or Tusq.
corsair- Senior Member
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Age : 64
Location : Mount Hunter, NSW, Australia
Registration date : 2008-04-08
Re: Brass nuts?
I'm not convinced that the material of the nut makes much difference to the sound of a plugged-in guitar, but brass is certainly a much more robust material. I've had to repair one or two bone/plastic nuts in the past, due to a piece broken off or a string slot too deep.
What I can't understand is why the zero fret isn't used more. Surely this is the easiest way to get the most precise intonation and lowest action? Is there something I'm missing?
What I can't understand is why the zero fret isn't used more. Surely this is the easiest way to get the most precise intonation and lowest action? Is there something I'm missing?
David_A- Senior Member
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Age : 75
Location : Cheshire
Registration date : 2014-10-26
Re: Brass nuts?
I guess a zero fret adds £0.50p to the cost of a guitar...
Adey- Financial supporter
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Re: Brass nuts?
That could be it
David_A- Senior Member
- Number of posts : 129
Age : 75
Location : Cheshire
Registration date : 2014-10-26
Re: Brass nuts?
Zero frets are the way to go. Stew Mac does a nut/zero fret package for little money, absolutely worth the purchase IMO.
Brass does looks cool, though.
If want a brighter tone, use a different pick. They make a world of difference.
Brass does looks cool, though.
If want a brighter tone, use a different pick. They make a world of difference.
The Chad- Financial supporter
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Location : Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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Re: Brass nuts?
Had/have a few old picks, don't like losing them.......like close friends..The Chad wrote:
Brass does looks cool, though.
If want a brighter tone, use a different pick. They make a world of difference.
Re: Brass nuts?
The Chad wrote:If want a brighter tone, use a different pick. They make a world of difference.
Absolutely - Tortex, nylon, celluloid, plastic; they all sound different and pick attack is just as important! Since I trimmed my right hand fingernails, my fingerpicking has also become very subdued!!
corsair- Senior Member
- Number of posts : 6321
Age : 64
Location : Mount Hunter, NSW, Australia
Registration date : 2008-04-08
Re: Brass nuts?
Damian, I lost my favorite pick! It's a sea shell somewhat shaped like a pick. What a tone I get with it! Strange as that is. Sure chews up the strings, though.
John's right, we could all benefit from a good assortment of picks. Been using my Jazz III's so long that I've forgotten how the other picks sound.
John's right, we could all benefit from a good assortment of picks. Been using my Jazz III's so long that I've forgotten how the other picks sound.
The Chad- Financial supporter
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Location : Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Registration date : 2011-02-01
Re: Brass nuts?
Been using the same picks(Fender medium) for so long anything else just doesn't feel right.
Also depends where you play on the guitar, neck side/bridge end.
Anyway bone nuts and steel saddles rule OK!....for me..
Also depends where you play on the guitar, neck side/bridge end.
Anyway bone nuts and steel saddles rule OK!....for me..
Re: Brass nuts?
You know...if you pick it...it will never get well.
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Brass nuts?
Barry wrote:You know...if you pick it...it will never get well.
Is one picking one's nose....
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