Bone vs Nylon nut?

reswot · Mar 14, 2014

I'm getting ready to send my R9 down to Kim at Historic Makeovers. One thing that I can't decide about is the nylon nut. I know that they use 6/6 nylon (rather than the 4/6 that Gibson used to use), but I wonder if it's really worth the extra $$ over a bone nut -- which is the stock nut in the RDS package.

I know that Nylon is thought to be better than Corian, but is it really better than bone -- historical accuracy aside?

JJC · Mar 14, 2014

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2522617&postcount=15

Sorry, couldn't resist.

reswot · Mar 14, 2014

So true...

J.D. · Mar 14, 2014

If you are going for historical accuracy, the nylon 6/6 is closer to the 4/6 than bone. "Better"(?) is subjective.

Triburst · Mar 14, 2014

I have the nylon on two of my Les Pauls (a 2009 R9 and an Historic Makeover R9). Neither of these guitars "ping" at the nut, EVER, plus they look "historically accurate," (which part of the point of a makeover). In my opinion, it's very well worth the money. :hank

FretsAlot · Mar 14, 2014

Do you have experience with both a bone & nylon nut on your guitars? If yes, I'd suggest going with what your ear prefers for material. I've learned I like a bone nut on my guitars - I think the tone has a smidge more clarity and woodier quality.

I know some people have the belief that a properly cut nut with any qualifying material should yield the same result for fretted notes. It's not my intention to revisit that... holy war. If you don't hear a difference, then I say follow your visual preference or wallet.

Enjoy your HM! I'd love to play one some time,

Fretsalot/Scott

6950whead · Mar 14, 2014

If you don't care about historical accuracy and just want to maximize tone and durability when it comes to the nut, I recommend WAHI (West African Hard Ivory). Bob Colosi sells 'em and they are FANTASTIC.

http://www.guitarsaddles.com/products.asp

Mitchell · Mar 14, 2014

6950whead said:
If you don't care about historical accuracy and just want to maximize tone and durability when it comes to the nut, I recommend WAHI (West African Hard Ivory). Bob Colosi sells 'em and they are FANTASTIC.

http://www.guitarsaddles.com/products.asp

Ya know,, I've heard that before myself.
Especially from acoustic instrument users and I've read it in mags as well.
Thanks

Big Al · Mar 19, 2014

Bone just sounds better to me and a well cut nut won't ping, but it will sing!!

lpjunkie · Mar 19, 2014

I'd take bone over nylon, personally.

Uncle Gary · Mar 28, 2014

Based on my limited experience, I really am liking nylon, but bone is a LOT easier to work.

PaulLaRue · May 28, 2014

WAHI (West African Hard Ivory)?
Is this real Ivory?
You are aware that Ivory is Illegal and that Elephants & Rhino's are being slaughtered to near extinction for Ivory.

Not on my guitar !

sitedrifter · May 28, 2014

PaulLaRue said:
WAHI (West African Hard Ivory)?
Is this real Ivory?
You are aware that Ivory is Illegal and that Elephants & Rhino's are being slaughtered to near extinction for Ivory.

Not on my guitar !

I think it is fossilized ivory and is 100 percent legal to sell.

zombiwoof · May 28, 2014

A couple of years ago a Chinese seller was selling camel bone nut blanks on Ebay, I wonder if anyone has ever tried those!. I wonder how they compare to cow bone?.
Al

Skydogfan81 · Feb 16, 2015

I have a Tusq nut on my R7 and it rings like a bell.

http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/tusq/tusq-guitar-nuts

Yelly · Feb 16, 2015

I am 100% sold on nylon since buying a 2013 R9. I have bone nuts on many other guitars included plekked ones and graphite on others.
The nylon gives the best tuning stability of all. I usually do what I refer to as the the "Heartbreaker" test - a big behind the nut bend on the G string and see how closely the string returns to pitch. well cut and lubed bone may not ping but I found only nylon returned to pitch consistently.
A shame it is so difficult to get hold of nylon nuts, especially in the UK. All I have found so far is Mojoparts but they want $40 shipping.

latestarter · Feb 16, 2015

zombiwoof said:
A couple of years ago a Chinese seller was selling camel bone nut blanks on Ebay, I wonder if anyone has ever tried those!. I wonder how they compare to cow bone?.
Al

I bought a dozen or two of those. They are good quality and sound fine...just like any other bone. Nice yellowed colour too.

N¡co · Feb 21, 2015

Nylon for electric, bone for Acoustic...

TM1 · Feb 23, 2015

It really only makes a tonal difference when the string is open. Nylon makes tuning really smoother I think.

Wilko · Feb 23, 2015

"only with open string" is bullshit.

Try a rubber nut and get back to us.

Bone vs Nylon nut?

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