Bass String Nut Options

If you want Warmoth to install a String Nut on your neck you must first choose a fret option. If you select "No Frets - Slots Only" the String Nut option will not be available.

String Nuts

Traditional Nuts: Pre-cut and Installed

The string nut dictates both the spacing of the strings and their height above the frets, and must be cut to the specific dimensions of the neck it will be used on. We have built a system for precision cutting and shaping, done by a bench-top CNC mill. The result is a nearly perfect nut, compensated for fret height, nut width, string spacing, and fretboard radius.

Installed nuts must be ordered at the same time as the neck to ensure compatibility. Available in the following materials:

Corian
Graph Tech TUSQ XL

Learn more about the characteristics of nut materials.

Warmoth's precut and installed bass nuts are cut for the string gauges listed below:

4-string gauge set size .105-.045
5-string gauge set size .130-.045
6-string gauge set size .130-.032

String Nut Materials

Cutting a nut correctly is one of the most challenging and important parts of luthiery. There is no such thing as "plug-and-play" when it comes to nuts. Each one must be cut according to the dimensions and requirements of the specific neck it is to be used on. This requires skill and the correct tools. If you desire to cut your own nut, Warmoth offers nut blanks in the materials listed below. Nut slot files are also available in our Hardware section.

Material	Characteristics/Applications	Sound	Workability
Bone	Hard material with a vintage look, must be cut cleanly to keep strings from binding in slots.	Bright and clear, with a detailed sound.	Hard, dense material. Bad-smelling dust.
Brass	Hard material polishes well and looks good with gold hardware. Great sustain for bass and slide guitar playing.	Bright with very good sustain.	Slow-working, dust can clog files, gets hot when power-sanded.
Nickel	Made of the same material as our fretwire (18% hard nickel/silver) so it matches sound and look of frets. Polishes well.	Very bright with excellent articulation and sustain.	Very slow working, gets hot when power-sanded.
Corian	Hard synthetic material takes a fine finish and is available in large oversized blanks.	Balanced, clear, even sound.	Cuts slowly but evenly.
Graph Tech TUSQ XL	TUSQ XL is an ivory-like material that is Teflon impregnated. Teflon is 500% slipperier than graphite. This is great for use on electric guitars that get tremolo use or have tuning stability issues. It is also great for someone who bends notes often.	Well balanced tone with a bit more warmth.	Easy to cut, less shaping required with pre-molded blanks.