My Hummingbird is not the same after "upgrading" to Bone nut (in a bad way)

[davidguevara80]

I recently went to my local shop to get a set up (included a fret work and bone nut) on my 1996 Gibson Hummingbird. I must mention that I installed a bone saddle form Bob Colosi and bone pins previously.
I was totally disappointed when I received it back. It doesn't have sustain and sounds dead (imagine a blanket on top of it). I compared it whit another Hummingbird form a fiend and even an Epiphone Masterbuilt Texan from another friend and both sound way better, with more volume and clarity.
I was reading that the not doesn´t affect the tone of the guitar that much, so, I assumed that the change was because of the weather, which changed dramatically where I live (Houston) on those days; so, I used the D'Addario Humidipak Maintain Automatic Humidity Control System. After 4 days, I see no difference.
I will start trying with different Strings, from D'Addario EJ16 PB to Elixirs to see if make a difference. My last option is go back to plastic on the nut, or try Tusq.
I just wanted to report this, maybe someone had the same experience, or someone can give me advice. Thanks!

[soma5]

You mentioned fret work. That might include a truss rod adjustment. I have noticed that when someone cranks the truss rod tighter, the tone can be adversely affected in the manner you described. Do you notice that the neck is noticeably straighter (less relief)?

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by soma5

You mentioned fret work. That might include a truss rod adjustment. I have noticed that when someone cranks the truss rod tighter, the tone can be adversely affected in the manner you described. Do you notice that the neck is noticeably straighter (less relief)?

Yes, never heard of that. Thanks!!

[Mak2525]

Definitely something else going on! A change in nut material would not change the sound like that. A bone saddle may or may not have some effect on tone depending on the guitar. The nut pretty much won't effect the tone unless there is a problem with binding or slots cut too deep - but this is true regardless of the material.

[jklotz]

Try some new strings first. That'd be my 1st suggestion. Also give it a few days to reacclimate. I always do the least invasive stuff first when I'm troubleshooting.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Mak2525

The nut pretty much won't effect the tone unless there is a problem with binding or slots cut too deep - but this is true regardless of the material.

You might want to check out this article on cutting nut slots.

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musi...uts/nuts1.html

Maybe check the angle of the slots with something narrow, and compare with the previous nut if you still have it.

It could be that the slots were not shaped correctly on the new nut.

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by zmf

You might want to check out this article on cutting nut slots.

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musi...uts/nuts1.html

Maybe check the angle of the slots with something narrow, and compare with the previous nut if you still have it.

It could be that the slots were not shaped correctly on the new nut.

Interesting.. I notice that the second string is a little bit higher than the rest of the strings on the nut. I have particular tuning issues with that string (when I play the string open is in tune, but when I play the first 3 frets on that string the tuning is to high) .

[Skarsaune]

Originally Posted by zmf

It could be that the slots were not shaped correctly on the new nut.

This can definitely affect tone.

[redir]

If you play a full F or G bar chord does it sound worse than it did before?

If so then it's got nothing to do with the nut because that would only affect open strings. Anything downstream of the nut is fret wire to the saddle.

If it sounds worse when you play open chords then it *might have something to do with the nut but even that is doubtful.

IF it is playing out of tune then that could have something to do with the nut and perhaps that is what you are hearing? Otherwise your idea of trying new string sets is a good one.

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by redir

If you play a full F or G bar chord does it sound worse than it did before?.

Yes, and I can feel it too.

[L20A]

Just a guess here but what if the strings were never replaced after the new parts and set up?
Give some new strings a try and see if that helps.

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by L20A

Just a guess here but what if the strings were never replaced after the new parts and set up?
Give some new strings a try and see if that helps.

Yes, this is the second set that I try (thought that the first set was bad and installed a new one and it sounds like a 6 month old set of strings).

[zmf]

Originally Posted by redir

If you play a full F or G bar chord does it sound worse than it did before?

If so then it's got nothing to do with the nut because that would only affect open strings. Anything downstream of the nut is fret wire to the saddle.

Did the setup also involve sanding/lowering the saddle?

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by zmf

Did the setup also involve sanding/lowering the saddle?

I don´t think so, since it was very low already.

[redir]

Originally Posted by davidguevara80

Yes, and I can feel it too.

So if you can feel it then it could be the nut. If by feel it you mean it has more resistance.

Do this test on all strings. Pres and hold the string at the 3rd fret then sight very closely the amount of airspace under the 1st fret. There should barely be any airspace there at all.

To get an idea of the amount of airspace you should see put a capo on the 1st fret then press and hold the string at the 4th fret and look at the airspace under the 2nd.

The nut slots should be cut to the exact same height as the fret in front of it or the fret plane over all. SOme exceptions apply to heavy handed players who hit the open chords hard.