A question about tone...

[stan]

OK team, we seem to have plenty of tone junkies on this site, and as many opinions on how to get it...

My question is this: Of what benefit is a nut designed for tone, like Tusq, Bone,whatever?

The reason I ask is this - A bone nut is only of benefit on open strings - anything fretted is against the frets, taking the nut out of play, and essentially creating a metal (the bridge) to metal (the fret)contact with the string.

Also, with the mixture of fretted and open notes in playing and/or chords, aren't you in fact getting a mixture of tones?

That being the case, wouldn't a stainless nut actually give a more consistent sound? Yes I agree this would probably lead to a brighter sound - but would it count all that much? I also agree that many aspects of the instrument go into making the tone and sound.

I am not trying to be a tool, it's a legit question I've pondered. I am fully open to any explanation.

Thanks!

[dingobass]

You do have some valid points and questions, Stan.

Tone comes from a number of factors. The neck and body timber, headstock size and shape, the type of finish and the nut.

Personally, I have always been a fan of Bone, even when fretting a bone nut will give the Guitar a more mellow tone.. sounds crazy I know but years of experience tells me this.

If you want a bright sounding tone, go for a brass nut.

If you want a lifeless, morbid graveyard tone, go for Tusq or any synthetic nut...

Of course it always comes down to the individual ear, we all hear tone differently!

[Gavin1393]

And of course when dealing with a newly set up guitar that you want to give that well played feel, or even a guitar that has been sitting for a few years unplayed! 72 hours on one of these will put that tone right back into the guitar! Swear by them! I do have 3!!

[dingobass]

Any good on Electrics Gav?

[Gavin1393]

Works on any six string guitar........acoustic, electric, arch tops, hollow bodies, the lot!

[dingobass]

Hmmmm.... I feel an order at Stewmwacs coming on..

[wokkaboy]

Hey Gav,I know you love these tonrite devices and they work well.

here's a link to anyone interested
http://tonerite.com/guitar/vmchk

Good news Lozza there is a uke model as well
http://tonerite.com/ukulele?redirected=1

[pablopepper]

I'm gonna be honest and say when I read about that thing^ it sounded like pure snake oil. After watching a few youtube vids, I think I want one.

[Gavin1393]

Hardly any of the music stores locally seem to know about them, but they really do work. I run my guitars through them on rotation from time to time. Simply too many to try and play consitently!

[stan]

interesting points, thanks