String Nut Options
Cut and Installed String Nuts
Cutting the nut is one of the most challenging steps in setting up a guitar neck. Let Warmoth do this work for you. We custom-cut every nut to account for the fret height, string spacing, and fretboard radius of the neck, which translates to smooth action and great playability.
Installed nuts must be ordered at the same time as the neck to ensure compatibility.
Traditional Nuts
Warmoth can install and cut a traditional style nut on any of our straight or tiltback construction guitar necks.
Available in the following materials:
- Corian (Black or White)
- Graph Tech TUSQ XL (Black or White)
Earvana Nuts
On a traditional guitar, intonation discrepancies will always cause certain chords to be slightly out of tune. Earvana's patented nut technology solves this issue by compensating each string individually for better intonation. The guitar is played the same, but sounds more in tune. Earvana nuts also work with standard frets, bridges, and tuners.
Available in the following materials:
- Corian (Black or White)
- Graph Tech TUSQ XL (Black or White)
Learn more about the characteristics of nut materials.
- Earvana nuts require a wider nut slot than traditional nuts. Converting the slot for a traditional nut is not easy, so be certain you like the Earvana nut before requesting it.
- This option is not available on Modern Tiltback construction necks.
12-String Nuts
Drones Above
Our 12-string nuts are cut with the higher octave strings on top (drones above), so they are struck first when strummed. This matches the Gotoh 12-String bridge that Warmoth sells.
Available in the following materials:
- Corian (Black or White)
- Graph Tech TUSQ XL (Black or White)
Nut Slot Prep
Floyd Rose Locking Nut Prep
- The Floyd Rose Nut Prep option is available on Modern and Modern Tiltback construction necks only.
- There are many Floyd Rose-licensed locking nuts available. Though they may look similar, they do not all share the same specs. This option is specifically designed to work with the Official Floyd Rose nuts made by Schaller.
Floyd Prep on Modern Construction
Floyd Prep on Modern Tiltback
Floyd Prep Rear View
Warmoth can prepare the shelf for a Floyd Rose locking nut. These nuts, which clamp the strings in place to improve tuning stability, may be purchased as part of a complete Floyd Rose tremolo system, or separately in our Hardware section. They feature a 10" radius, and ideally the fretboard radius should be 10" also. However, they will function correctly on any neck radius between 9" and 12".
Nut Width Identification
To properly prepare a shelf for a Floyd Rose nut, we must know its size number. This number is cast into the bottom of the nut, and begins with "R" on right-handed nuts, or "L" on left-handed nuts. These numbers correspond with nut widths, as shown below:
Right Handed Floyd Rose Nuts:- R2 = 1-5/8" Nut-Width
- R3 = 1-11/16" Nut-Width (Narrow string spacing)
- R4 = 1-11/16" Nut-Width (Wide string spacing)
- R5 = 1-3/4" Nut-Width
- L2 = 1-5/8" Nut-Width
- L3 = 1-11/16" Nut-Width (Narrow string spacing)
- L4 = 1-11/16" Nut-Width (Wide string spacing)
- L5 = 1-3/4" Nut-Width
Sizes R3 and R4, and L3 and L4 are all for use on necks with a 1-11/16" nut width. What differentiates them is their string spacing. Size 3 nuts use a narrow spacing similar to that of a 1-5/8" nut width, and work well any time a player wishes for a little more margin on the edges of the fretboard, as on necks with binding. Size 4 nuts offer a slightly wider string spacing that feels more natural to some players.
When you choose the Floyd Rose Nut Prep on a custom-ordered neck we are able to leave the fretboard long enough to accommodate the full width of the nut. However, on in-stock showcase necks the fretboard has already been cut to the length traditionally used for standard nuts, which is shorter. For this reason, choosing the Floyd Rose Nut Prep on in-stock necks results in a shorter shelf, and the nut may hang over the end slightly once installed. If this aesthetic bothers you it is best to custom-order. The nut is perfectly stable and functional either way.
LSR Roller Nut Prep
Warmoth can prepare the nut slot for an LSR Roller Nut. These nuts, which use ball bearings to ease string movement and improve tuning stability, may be purchased seperately in our Hardware section.
The LSR nut is only available on right-handed guitar necks using a 1-11/16" nut width. It can be used with any straight fretboard radius between 9" to 11", or the Warmoth Compound Radius (10"-16").
- LSR Nuts require a wider nut slot than traditional nuts. Converting the slot for a traditional nut is not easy, so be certain you like the LSR nut before requesting it.
- This option is not available on Modern Tiltback construction necks.
String Nut Blanks
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. |