Nut

[Greg Lorisco]

I understand that brass has been used for the nut for a long time. A lot of makers now use bone and somehow feel it is better than brass.

Why do KS basses still use brass?

[Tim Bishop]

Here's a post you might find informative, as well as hillarious. I know I did. :D


http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?p=7657#post7657

[Ken Smith]

I understand that brass has been used for the nut for a long time. A lot of makers now use bone and somehow feel it is better than brass.

Why do KS basses still use brass?

Sure they do as well as plastic. Let me ask you this. What do YOU think is harder to make, a brass nut or a bone nut? Also, do you think the average makes choses bone (who's bone are we talking about anyway?) because it's better than Brass or easier to make?

Do you have to high polish a bone nut and then lacquer it and fit it in an exact slot? How much does a 'sized blank of each material cost comparatively?

My opinion? They usually use what's easiest and what will be accepted. I don't care about 'easy' as you can see. If I wanted 'easy' I would still be doing gigs in NY on my old customized Fender. 'Easy' is not craftsmanship. The 'best possible made regardless of the material' IS in my book.

[Greg Lorisco]

Sure they do as well as plastic. Let me ask you this. What do YOU think is harder to make, a brass nut or a bone nut? Also, do you think the average makes choses bone (who's bone are we talking about anyway?) because it's better than Brass or easier to make?

Do you have to high polish a bone nut and then lacquer it and fit it in an exact slot? How much does a 'sized blank of each material cost comparatively?

My opinion? They usually use what's easiest and what will be accepted. I don't care about 'easy' as you can see. If I wanted 'easy' I would still be doing gigs in NY on my old customized Fender. 'Easy' is not craftsmanship. The 'best possible made regardless of the material' IS in my book.

So should I understand from this response that brass is better; tone, lasts longer, etc? And that others use bone because it is cheaper and easier to use, not because it adds any value over brass?

What I have noticed from bone is that it scrapes off when you put new strings on. The tightening of the string running over the nut scraps off some of the bone. So I would imagine that over time it will wear down the nut and you would need it replaced.

I know that Warwicks use a plastic adjustable nut that is not very secure. Not sure how you can get a good tone from that kind of setup?