split nut - bone & ebony

[The Bard Rocks]

We went to a Beppe Gambetta performance last night (great, as always) and notice he had what appears to be a bone nut on his R Taylor, Bone that is for the 4 wound strings and what looks like Ebony for the unwound.

Why would he do this? I didn't think to ask him but got to pondering it after we'd left.

[Roksbug]

That’s very interesting. I found a couple pictures on his Facebook page where you can see the bone portion of the nut only at E, A, D and G strings. I’ve never seen that before.
Years ago I saw some electric guitars - I think Ibanez - that had half bone and half brass but both went the entire width of the nut.

[Wade Hampton]

It’s probably to get a warmer sound on the open unwound strings.


whm

[AcousticDreams]

A few years ago I use to use Bone for the wound strings, and Black Horn for unwound strings in my saddle.

I do not do this anymore. Now I just use Unbleached bone for my saddles and nuts.

However, I still mix my bridge pins using one type for the wound and another for the unwound.

In electric guitars...you can often alter the volume and tone of strings by raising the angle of the pickup higher on one side. So combining nut material, is just his way way to balance the sound of an acoustic guitar to his desire.

[Crosswind]

Originally Posted by Knives&Guitars

A few years ago I use to use Bone for the wound strings, and Black Horn for unwound strings in my saddle.

I do not do this anymore. Now I just use Unbleached bone for my saddles and nuts.

However, I still mix my bridge pins using one type for the wound and another for the unwound.

In electric guitars...you can often alter the volume and tone of strings by raising the angle of the pickup higher on one side. So combining nut material, is just his way way to balance the sound of an acoustic guitar to his desire.

I would have never thought to do something like this (or with the nut as in the OP)! How intriguing! I'm going to try this! I assume you glue the two pieces together, saddle or nut?

[AcousticDreams]

Originally Posted by Crosswind

I would have never thought to do something like this (or with the nut as in the OP)! How intriguing! I'm going to try this! I assume you glue the two pieces together, saddle or nut?

With a saddle I do not think gluing them together is necessary. I just butted them up together and never had a problem.

A good friend of mine has also done this. Instead of a right angle, he cut a 45 degree angle and then glued the two pieces together.

For myself it was about getting the High E and B to stand out more. Of course it all depends upon the guitar...but mixing bridge pins seems to do the trick for myself now.

That and combining difference High E and B strings from other manufacturers. Some companies use a golden-Brass coating on their unwounds. Others use a Cyrogenic treating process on their unwound strings. Small differences...that sometimes make all the difference in the sound we are trying to achieve.