Bone nuts and bridges

[essexbasscat]

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

[tommorichards]

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]

[essexbasscat]

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.

[lettsguitars]

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.

[tommorichards]

i dont think my ears are trained for such a thing, but i think the nut is more slippery when tuning and what not.

[Mr. Foxen]

Beware of stinkyness when machine grinding bone.

[Ou7shined]

[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.

[essexbasscat]

Thanks for the replies folks. Now I won't feel like my avatar's employer while making guitar parts !