The · W e s t o n e · Forums
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Brass nuts?

+2
Adey
Barry
6 posters

Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Brass nuts?

Post by Barry Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:14 am

No, not getting personal. Just talkin' 'bout yer geetar's nuts. clown

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. Very Happy 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
brass - Brass nuts? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
Hero, Legend, and all round good guy

Number of posts : 8689
Age : 78
Location : Port Weller, St. Catharines, Canada
Registration date : 2009-05-01

https://legend.barryeames.com

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Adey Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:44 am

Surely, once you fret a string, or a series of strings, the perceived influence of the brass nut goes away. Thinking

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
Adey
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 424
Location : Horsham, UK
Registration date : 2014-01-25

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Barry Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:04 pm

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
brass - Brass nuts? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
Hero, Legend, and all round good guy

Number of posts : 8689
Age : 78
Location : Port Weller, St. Catharines, Canada
Registration date : 2009-05-01

https://legend.barryeames.com

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Adey Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:11 pm

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!
Adey
Adey
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 424
Location : Horsham, UK
Registration date : 2014-01-25

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by corsair Tue Sep 13, 2016 5:27 pm

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.
avatar
corsair
Senior Member

Number of posts : 6321
Age : 64
Location : Mount Hunter, NSW, Australia
Registration date : 2008-04-08

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by David_A Thu Sep 15, 2016 2:08 pm

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?
David_A
David_A
Senior Member

Number of posts : 129
Age : 74
Location : Cheshire
Registration date : 2014-10-26

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Adey Thu Sep 15, 2016 2:25 pm

I guess a zero fret adds £0.50p to the cost of a guitar...
Adey
Adey
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 424
Location : Horsham, UK
Registration date : 2014-01-25

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by David_A Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:03 pm

That could be it  Rolling Eyes
David_A
David_A
Senior Member

Number of posts : 129
Age : 74
Location : Cheshire
Registration date : 2014-10-26

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by The Chad Fri Sep 16, 2016 4:26 pm

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.  Cool

If want a brighter tone, use a different pick.  They make a world of difference.
The Chad
The Chad
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 2772
Location : Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Registration date : 2011-02-01

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Westbone Fri Sep 16, 2016 10:00 pm

The Chad wrote:
 

Brass does looks cool, though.  Cool

If want a brighter tone, use a different pick.  They make a world of difference.
Had/have a few old picks, don't like losing them....Evil or Very Mad...like close friends..Wink
Westbone
Westbone
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 5917
Location : Redbridge
Registration date : 2008-12-28

http://www.chruler.com/

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by corsair Sat Sep 17, 2016 4:44 am

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!!
avatar
corsair
Senior Member

Number of posts : 6321
Age : 64
Location : Mount Hunter, NSW, Australia
Registration date : 2008-04-08

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by The Chad Sat Sep 17, 2016 8:50 am

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.
The Chad
The Chad
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 2772
Location : Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Registration date : 2011-02-01

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Westbone Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:29 am

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..Cool
Westbone
Westbone
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 5917
Location : Redbridge
Registration date : 2008-12-28

http://www.chruler.com/

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Barry Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:32 am

You know...if you pick it...it will never get well. clown

_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
brass - Brass nuts? Guitar10
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Barry
Barry
Hero, Legend, and all round good guy

Number of posts : 8689
Age : 78
Location : Port Weller, St. Catharines, Canada
Registration date : 2009-05-01

https://legend.barryeames.com

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Westbone Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:06 pm

Barry wrote:You know...if you pick it...it will never get well. clown

Is one picking  one's nose....Cool
Westbone
Westbone
Financial supporter

Number of posts : 5917
Location : Redbridge
Registration date : 2008-12-28

http://www.chruler.com/

Back to top Go down

brass - Brass nuts? Empty Re: Brass nuts?

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum