[S. Rock]

I've got a question for all of y'all. I might need to change the nut on my 1973 Les Paul Deluxe. I know that there are alot of different materials out there. I'm not sure just which way I'm going to go. economics may play a part as well. I'm not worried about the guy doing the work. he's just about the best, if not the best luthier, around this area. so, which one would you recommend ? tusk, bone, plastic, or what else ?

[anfontan]

I had a bone nut installed on one of my Teles a few years back when the original one broke. I liked the sound a lot and had the repairman install one on another Tele as well.

I had a brass one installed on my Sunburst Stratocaster in the late 1970's-it was a right handed Strat that was converted to a lefty-and I had to change it back-brass was big in the late 70's. It's one of those graphite nuts now if I recall correctly-it does help when I use the whammy bar...that's not too often these days though...

Bone is probably my favorite!

[Joe-Bob]

When you could get it, everyone wanted ivory. I think you should just get bone.

[charliechitlins]

Bone is fine. So is Tusq...synthetic ivory. Very hard.
Black Tusq has a lot of lubricity...good for whammy guitars, but also good for keeping Gibsons in tune because of the break angle over the nut because of the headstock angle.
My last 2 have been bone and Corian (free samples from Lowes!).
I like both.
I'm sure your luthier will have suggestions.

[sevycat]

Originally Posted by anfontan

I had a bone nut installed on one of my Teles a few years back when the original one broke. I liked the sound a lot and had the repairman install one on another Tele as well.

I had a brass one installed on my Sunburst Stratocaster in the late 1970's-it was a right handed Strat that was converted to a lefty-and I had to change it back-brass was big in the late 70's. It's one of those graphite nuts now if I recall correctly-it does help when I use the whammy bar...that's not too often these days though...

Bone is probably my favorite!

And I thought I was the only one who remembered the Brass nut rage in the 70's. Anyway, back to the topic. I am a fan of bone nuts, so that is my vote for what it's worth.

[noname]

I like bone. I have used graphite when doing my own work because it is easy to file--quick results. but it is a poor substitute for the real thing.

[anfontan]

Originally Posted by sevycat

And I thought I was the only one who remembered the Brass nut rage in the 70's. Anyway, back to the topic. I am a fan of bone nuts, so that is my vote for what it's worth.

I think it was all they used back in 1979 when I got the Strat-it's a '74 model and the slots were all backwards to accommodate the lefty stringing. Here I am with a Strat after playing humbucker guitars for years and I have even MORE high end from the brass nut...............

The graphite nut was part of a set that included roller bridge saddles for the Strat-yeah back when I used the whammy a lot....

[discofishing]

This site has all types of nuts. Check it out:

http://www.grguitars.com/parts_5gibson.htm

[savofenno]

Originally Posted by sevycat

And I thought I was the only one who remembered the Brass nut rage in the 70's. Anyway, back to the topic. I am a fan of bone nuts, so that is my vote for what it's worth.

I remember it well. My memory is that brass worked as intended, it gave better sustain and brighter tone.
Maybe it´s time to test it again.

[wolfman63]

I find that usually what comes on the guitar works for me but, if it must be changed, I go with graphite. Far as the nut increasing sustain, I guess it does on notes played with open strings, but I don't think sustain is effected much once you fret a note. I have found that attaching weights to the head stock improves sustain somewhat. Just an opinion.