Im a little surprised at the lack of string spacing resources out there. Before going further, i know this subject is revisit of one discussed time and again. What you do is scroll to pdf multi page, click save to disk and choose where to save it on your computer. But what makes the wider nut width easier to play is the more important, never specd, string spacing. The nut width is 1 18 and the total space between outer g and outer e is about the same as my other mandolin about 0.
On necks and strings, and saddles and nuts by azaret guitars. Measure fret spacingprintable fret template handmade. This week, joe konkoly will look at nut width and string spacing at the bridge, and. Dec 27, 2016 how to determine the proper string spacing for your guitar nut blank december 27, 2016 december 27, 2016 by best bass gear while there is the option to buy a nut that has precut string slots, cutting the slots yourself ensures that the spacing and depth will be absolutely what you want. Bluestem strings beginners guide to lap steel construction.
Nut width refers to the width of the guitars neck at the nut. The string spacing rule is included in the essential nut making tool kit, which has all the basic tools youll need for shaping, string spacing, slotting and fitting string nuts like a pro. Taylor guitars production setup specifications height of string above 1st fret. Knock off a few mm on either side for edge spacing and youre at 48. My friend told me that guitars with 42mm nut or less usually have more narrow string spacing at bridge than those with 43mm and up. The spacing is not traditionally measured from mid of each string to mid of each string. This calculator helps you to quickly calculate the positions of each nut slot to have an equal string spacing and the best playability. For working with the nut, string centers are located by folding the guide so the outer lines are aligned with the outside edges of the nut, producing a consistent 18 string to board edge spacing. These can be used in a number of ways to transfer the spacing onto a nut, whether it be guiding fret files or physically spacing strings and marking the nut by a light hammer blow over the nut. A repeatable accurate luthier tool system that simplifies. In the extreme, nut widths can vary from 1 58 1 78 and the string slots can vary even at a given nut width. Apr 19, 2014 calculating the exact positioning and spacing for strings across the nut can be a painby inputting your nut width, fretboard edge spacing and string gauges, this spreadsheet automagically outputs all the information you need to create a proportionallyspaced nut.
On my bass guitars the spacing is measured from outer edge to outer edge of each string. This is the quickest and easiest way to mark spacing for new nut instalation. Then all i have to do is to mark the nut at the corresponding positions. Model d 0m o cw indian a cw mh a cjsj cio cio dix ds 0 12fret 00 000 baby 035 cio35 0 12 string tenor profile modified v vintage now vintage modified v c shape modified v modified v modified v vintage now wide v narrow v nut width 1 1116 1 2332 1 34 1 34 1 34 1 2332 1 11. If you are buying a slotted nut, measure your current string spacing and find something close to yours. Uneven string spacing fender stratocaster guitar forum. String spacing is the distance from the low e string to the high e string and how they spread out as they get closer to the saddle. Hourglass mountain dulcimer kit assembly instructions musicmakers 14525 61st st ct n stillwater, mn 55082 wood parts a solid wood top b solid wood back c fretboard d 2 end blocks e 1 peghead f 2 sides g 2 braces for back 1 long, 1 short h 3 spacers hardware 4 geared tuners with screws set of 4 ball end dulcimer strings 1 wood screw, 2. When replacing the nut on any other violin, you have to consider the width of the nut and fingerboard and set the string spacing accordingly, but find that 16. Now i have the nut marked perfectly, with the string spacing increasing 0. String spacing rule nut and bridge string layout tool. If so, is there a specific reason as to why this is. This is mathematically not correct, but you have a real better feeling and control while moving with the right hand from string to string.
You can specify the size of gaps you require either side of the estrings, or. Lowering the top also lets you see what youre doing. String spacing at nut the unofficial martin guitar forum. The nut is slightly protruding on the low e side a bit, but more importantly i can see it is not allowing equal spacing on both sides of the inlays, there is more space to the high e side. Unless you are cleaning the fret board, evh brand recommends that you remove and change one string at a time for string changes. Two schools of thought exist on string spacing at the nut, both of which alter feel considerably.
String spacing rule nut and bridge string layout tool rating select rating 1 star worst 2 stars 3 stars average 4 stars 5 stars best name. It helps to prevent the gutter ball effect when playing up the neck. Tusq xl nuts guitar slotted graph tech guitar labs ltd. Some people like a lot of room at the edge, some cut it closer and the strings are spaced wider apart. This specification sheet created by alan goldblatt, luthier. Enter you scale length and other info and click submit. Since this is a multi instrument forum you might consider putting mandocello string spacing at. The margin between the end of the nut and the outside edges of the 1st and 6th strings varies dependent on the bevel angle of the frets. To size a nut, measure length, width, height, and the e to e string spacing. This specification sheet created by alan goldblatt. Nut rule string spacing in pdf telecaster guitar forum. On violins that we make, i set the string spacing at the nut at about 16. You can input enough info so it even gives you string spacing from the edge and to each other, use it to cut the nut, even shows you where the bridge goes and string spacing.
Have you ever had issues fretting a note closer to the nut. Neck nut width vs bridge string spacing electric guitars. I find myself picky over string spacing at the nut fingerboard width at the nut. Jan, 2015 hi everyone, im shaping and slotting my first nut. This will keep you from getting too close to the edge but will make most chords more playable if you prefer the wider nut. It then calculates the required distance for each string from both the bass and treble edges of the nut. In order to make adjustments to the action of the nut, you will need a set of files, one that coincides with the width of each string rut in the nut, a feeler gauge, a tuner, and some time and a whole lot of patience. How to determine the proper string spacing for your guitar nut blank december 27, 2016 december 27, 2016 by best bass gear while there is the option to buy a nut that has precut string slots, cutting the slots yourself ensures that the spacing and depth will be absolutely what you want. After i used them for a while i decided that proportional string spacing really wasnt what it was cracked up to be. Just slide template to desired spacing and run a pencil in the 6 slots for perfect spacing everytime. Loosen the locking nut using the correct sized 3mm allen key supplied. Strat string spacing fender stratocaster guitar forum. Find the nuts that are your length or slightly longer we make them a bit longer to sand for final finish. But to add insult to injury on this narrow nut, the factory had the 4th string 532 from the edge and the 1st string a full 316 in.
I like to keep the outer strings back from the edges quite a bit, especially the a string. Spacing has been calculated evenly with consideration of popular guaged strings. Acoustic series acoustic 12 string nylon series baritone 6 and 8str. Ive done some fine tuning with other uke saddles and nuts in the past, mostly with success as far as action and intonation. I generally build my guitars with 38 string spacing at the nut because thats what most folks seem to prefer although i personally prefer 12 spacing and have found it takes very little time to adjust to slightly narrower string spacing at the nut. String spacing at nut discussion forums banjo hangout. Today, well talk about how to check your string spacing, and answer some basic questions you might have about string spacing in general. The string spacing rule is made of laseretched flexible stainless steel that conforms to flat or arched surfaces. Bill many people say you can slant successfully on any steel guitar if you work hard enough at it, and thats probably true, but after doing some homework in the forum archives and playing as many nonpedal guitars as i can in the last year or so, ive come to think that 38 string spacing at both nut and bridge straight no taperfor 68 strings is ideal for slants working especially. Place under the strings by the nut and match the string spacing. What is your favored string spacing at the nut and bridge from string to string, center to center. With a 1 12 nut you shouldnt need to go any wider in your spacing than 38. String spacing rule nut and bridge string layout tool ebay. The spacing between the strings needs to be uniform, which varies with the string gauge you use.
I picked up a used mandolin recently and the string spacing at the nut seems odd to me. The actual nut width will vary from guitar to guitar. The basics of nut width and string spacing sound pure. Measure fret spacingprintable fret template handmade music. I already have all the scales i usually use saved as a pdf and open them to print the template. I made a nut centerline calculator in excel as pictured below. Simply enter the nut width in millimetres and either the endgaps or the overall string spacing again in millimetres and the gauge of each string in thousandths.
Loosen the string clamping screw at bridge using the correct size 3mmallen wrench supplied. All nuts except custom orders need minor sanding and should fit all nut cavities once sanded. I made a full scale drawing, but i think the nut is somewhat narrow and the strings are very close to the side of the fretboard. V modified v vintage now wide v narrow v nut width 1 1116 1 2332. I have also found some new martins occasionally with the 1st string too close to the edge for what is comfortable to most although most of their new guitars are fine. You can use the string spacing rule to notch tuneo matic bridge saddles, to lay out bridge pin holes, and when notching archtop guitar. Standard 8 string nut width per the ibanez website is 55 mm. The distance between the strings of a guitar, bass, or other stringed instrument, usually specified as measured at the bridge, though the strings are also obviously spaced apart at the nut as well. String spacing at the nut the pegbox maestronet forums. I discuss methods for such things as determining string spacing, determining nut slot depth and radius, marking string spacing. Calculating the exact positioning and spacing for strings across the nut can be a painby inputting your nut width, fretboard edge spacing and string gauges, this spreadsheet automagically outputs all the information you need to create a proportionallyspaced nut. Stewmac string spacing rule guitar, violin and mandolin.
Dec 23, 2009 i just tried it and was able to download a pdf of 25. Stacked feeler gauges can be used if you have a low nut, but they can be too stiff to conform to the radius of the fretboard. Zero glide replacement nut system gold tone music group. The common fix is to have a new nut made with the string courses cut so they are in a more traditional layout and the saddle is modified as well. Home guitar setup proper guitar nut height and action. All products purchase on our website come with graph techs 45 day, love it or return guarantee even if youve sanded it, etc. Length 270 262 255 238 215 195 180 width at nut 2424.
In our household, our kalas 2 tenors, 1 concert, and 1 bari and my bruko soprano all have 38 at the nut and 12 at the saddle. The jig will assist the user in shaping a new top nut, optimising the string spacing and setting the nut. The jig will assist the user in shaping a new top nut, optimising the string spacing and setting the nut action with precision. A given favorite bridge string spacing is relative to the neck width at the nut and the string spacing at the nut. Nut width and string spacing at bridge ultimate guitar. May 21, 2002 on violins that we make, i set the string spacing at the nut at about 16. Change the string spacing on the top three strings only e,b,g. Make a new guitar nut, mark out the proportional string spacing, file the string slots to precise depth. I chalked it up to pseudoscience after i cut nuts using both methods, and couldnt tell the difference. You can use the string spacing rule to notch tuneomatic bridge saddles, to lay out bridge pin holes, and when notching archtop guitar. Have you ever noticed that your string doesnt quite fit in the nut, and tends to cradle itself on top of the nut slot. In the shop is back with another installment of guitar geometry.
The most practical method is to work out the spacing between each string and make a precision wooden shim. How to determine the proper string spacing for your guitar. Fwiw, string spacing at the nut can change depending on how the nut was cut, in addition to how wide the neck is at the nut. Click on add to cart continue shopping or check out. I have my morelli labelled 78ths bass in restoration and i am considering making it into a 5 string. I cant put my finger on it yet no pun intended but i think both the spacing between courses and the space between strings on the same course is not what im used to. I know for certain that i will struggle on any guitar with a nut width of less than 44mm as there is no chance that the string spacing can be great enough for m. Raise the rule to the top of your nut blank using the flexible plastic shims included. Before we get to that, though, we have to mention something important regarding stringspacing at the nut. Now, out of those nuts, find the correct thickness or slightly over and height or slightly over 5. Some manufacturers take this measurement at the 14th fret, while others take it right at the saddle. When the slots are well defined, and their bottoms meet the.
All you require is to complete the number of strings, their given diameter and the required outer spacing which ususally is around 2. Hourglass mountain dulcimer kit assembly instructions. Dan erlewine demonstrates how to slot a nut using stewartmacdonalds equal spacing string spacing rule. Inclination to upper string 1 mortice depth cluding margin 7 button. Looking around online, it appears that most 7 string guitars have a 48mm nut width, but i cant seem to find specs on the string spacing or fretboard edge spacing. Guitar nut replacement string spacing tool gmc luthier tools. Well thanks guys, everyone is in agreement on the 18 from the edge anyway. String spacing affects playability, with tighter closer string spacing requiring more accuracy and wider string spacing allowing more room between. Benefits of wider nut and string spacing ultimate guitar. For a complete listing of over 300 nuts, saddles and bridge pins, please visit our. String spacing rule nut and bridge string layout tool compensates for string diameter includes etched instruction on rear of ruler flexible stainless steel slots for marking nut using a thin. I have 2 necks that i can try 1 58 and 1 1116 but the string spacing at the nut is smaller on the wider neck. Here is my first hand experience with standard 1 1116 vs wider. On guitars its slightly different because the string gauges are much more diverse from first to sixth than banjo strings.
I have not decided if i will personally do this, but it is no mystery to me why so many folks do. Hi all, not sure if i should post this to the luthiers. Guitar nut replacement string spacing tool gmc luthier. String spacing is a timeold question we get asked all the time 49. Does the string spacing stay at 7mm, leaving a 3mm spacing on each side of the fretboard, or is the edge spacing left at 4mm reducing the string spacing back to 6. Any other desired string to edge spacing is simply a matter of selecting the correct outer string spacing, though. I dont have an ibanez 8 in front of me to measure, but best i know their spacing is centertocenter so that value should be consistent from string to string. Use the string spacing rule frequently to check the slot locations, and move the slots from side to side if needed.
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