I would like to make a new nut and wondered if anyone could give me measurements as to spacing between the strings and from the edge of the
fingerboard. mm would be just fine and preferred. The top of the fingerboard is 1 1/2"
Tnx
BruceAymara - 12-7-2009 at 02:10 PM
Hi Bruce,
the nut usually is as wide as the fingerboard. The spacing between the strings of a course is 1mm and about 3mm between the courses.
The distance from the outer strings to the edge of the fingerboard often is only 1mm.Dr. Oud - 12-7-2009 at 04:28 PM
I make the spacing 2mm from each edge to the center of the first string, and 2mm center to center distance between pairs in each course. The spacing
between the courses varies with the width of the neck and must be calculated to space the courses evenly. You need to decide if you will cut 12 string
guides (6 pairs) or 11 (5 pairs + 1 bass). I make the top edge of the nut 1 mm above the fingerboard, and stop the groove guides short of the top edge
so that the bottom of all the strings are at the same height above the fingerboard. I use a small jeweler's file and make the grooves just a bit
larger than each string. I smooth the end of each groove so the string does not rub over a sharp edge. The two outer grooves are curved slightly to
guide the strings into the peg box.
Sorry, I ment the distances from the string's edges, not from the middle of the strings ... I forgot to mention this.
But thanks for clarifying ... you and Richard are the luthiers, not me Dr. Oud - 12-8-2009 at 09:55 AM
to calaulate spacing between courses:
1. for 11 string, single bass: neck width - 12mm(.472in) / 5
for neck width = 38mm(1 1/2in):
spacing between courses = 5.2mm(.204in)
2. for 12 strings/6 pairs: neck width -14mm(.551in) / 5
spacing between courses =4.8mm(.189in)
mark it with a sharp pencil before filing, adjust as necessary for even spacing. make the top of the nut with as big a radius as possile to make the
string transition easier. Round over the front edge for smoooth tuning and the ends for comfort.
