essexbasscat Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) Hi all Looking at the topic of making my own bone nuts and bridges. I've heard cow bone is a good raw material to use. I'd imagine cutting from bone local to a hip or a knee would provide bone of the greatest density (sounds a bit Burk and Hare doesn't it ?), which would offer the best transmission of string vibration. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this topic ? Thanks T Edited February 10, 2012 by essexbasscat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I made my own a few months ago using a dremel mostly. its quite easy. Here is my build thread on it. I also built another one for my jazz since then. And i used an old cow bone that my mates dog let me have [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/138446-homemade-bass-bone-nut/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/138446-homemade-bass-bone-nut/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 Now that's the idea tommo ! Did you notice any changes to audible frequencies with open strings after substituting a bone nut ? My first after school job as a butcher's boy helped me to finance my first bass amp and cab. I remember the butchers used saw blades with something like 15 - 18 teeth per inch to cut bone, much more than that clogged easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 For cutting the amount you'll need, any old bandsaw/hand saw blade should do it. A small disc sander is perfect for making nuts in a snip. Bone definately has a different ring to it. Always wondered if vegetarian guitarists are aware of the meaty nature of some of their instruments. I use ebony or cocobolo usually. Bone is cheaper though if you cut from 'raw' stock from the butchers. I think it has to be bleached and what have you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 i dont think my ears are trained for such a thing, but i think the nut is more slippery when tuning and what not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Beware of stinkyness when machine grinding bone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1328892202' post='1534504'] .... Always wondered if vegetarian guitarists are aware of the meaty nature of some of their instruments. I use ebony or cocobolo usually. ..[/quote] I'm a veggy and make my own bone nuts without losing too much sleep over it. Incidentally I just did an ebony one, jointed into a fretless ebony fingerboard. I'm very happy with the results so far. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1328899239' post='1534674'] Beware of stinkyness when machine grinding bone. [/quote] It's like that horrid burning smell you sometimes get at the dentist when the are drilling. I use files and hand saws but it still stinks. Yuk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 Thanks for the replies folks. Now I won't feel like my avatar's employer while making guitar parts ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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