How much does the nut affect tuning stability?

[bin4christ]

Hi guys how badly will a bad nut affect the tuning of a guitar? Or is tuning stability based solely on the machine heads for a tremolo/ fixed bridge guitar?

 

[subversion]

the nut does play a part in tuning stability because it's a point of contact + it has allowances for movements (vibrations more like it) or the lack of it.

if you have a vibrato bridge, it's best you get a locking nut, otherwise, your machine heads/ tuners should be locking.

for fixed bridge & vibrato equipped guitars alike, the nut slots have to be incised well + lubricated. every time strings vibrate (especially so when open strings are picked), if they aren't stretched out properly, there would be movements at the nut (however minimal).

if the nut slots are choked, this would prevent necessary movements there when your bend your strings hence tuning anomalies would entail.

 

[KayCee]

Tuning stability can be affected by the trem, nut and tuners. i'll suspect the tuners the least and nut the most. if you tune up and there's a squeaking/creaking sound, the nut is not well cut.

 

[gsonique]

Check nut for wear and replace if necessary !!
If its still ok just clean and apply pencil led on slots prior to fitting new strings to give smooth operation!!

 

[bin4christ]

my guitar stays in tune fine, they only go awry when i bend too much. And sometimes i can feel the strings go loose when i bend. so is the problem in the nut or the tuners?

sub: I thought locking nut is only for floyd-rose-equipped instruments? cuz u'll need to fine-tune again after locking the nut right?

gsonique: ok, any idea how to change the nut DIY? cuz nuts are cheap but the cost of worksmanship of changing them cost a lot. And I'm in Indonesia, so no sending my ax to GC. And I dont quite trust the music shops here to do it for me.

 

[gsonique]

what kinda nut placement ?? any pics ?

some come off easliy and most are glued on ....caution !!

 

[bin4christ]

gsonique: come off easily as in? like just slotted in like the bridge saddles of acoustic guitars? and if they're glued on, what should i do :? ?

 

[lightice]

It is not very easy to cut your own nut, you might need a few files that you can get from stew mac, as well as a metal guage to align all 6 strings.

Its not very easy, you might run through a few nuts before getting it right. haha.

 

[ShredCow]

I think you can order a pre-cut nut.

Specify your neck width at the nut.

 

[lightice]

another note, DO not use superglue to glue the nut.

It will be prone to breaking this way.

 

[metalella_eh]

another question, may i know what are the key components that will affect the tunings in the guitar?

 

[lightice]

Bridge, tuners, nut.