Nut Problem? Advice Needed

[ebes]

I recently had a bone nut put on my PRS Swamp Ash Special and since have noticed the low E string is dead and dull sounding. It has lost all of it's snap and brightness. The A string seems to have too, although not quite as much. I have restrung the guitar so it's not a dead string issue. The dullness is there with both open and fretted notes. Could this issue be because of the new nut? My original thought was that it couldn't be because I'm getting the dull sound with fretted notes (which takes the nut out of the equation doesn't it?) Or does it? The saddle wasn't messed with and I've made sure it doesn't have anything where the string sits. Must be the nut, right?

Any help is appreciated.
thanks
M

[wavey63]

I would say not the nut since it happens when you fret. Even though you didn't mess with the saddle it may have shifted. See if it is loose and also check to see any signs of movement,i.e. a clean spot where it was. Good luck. I am sure that others will help also.

[Mooncusser]

Hi,

Are the strings you are using the same gauge as the new nut was cut for?
Also, did you re-install the nut and did it change the height of the original?(need to do a new complete set up if so)
Let us know.....
Take care,
Mass

I recently had a bone nut put on my PRS Swamp Ash Special and since have noticed the low E string is dead and dull sounding. It has lost all of it's snap and brightness. The A string seems to have too, although not quite as much. I have restrung the guitar so it's not a dead string issue. The dullness is there with both open and fretted notes. Could this issue be because of the new nut? My original thought was that it couldn't be because I'm getting the dull sound with fretted notes (which takes the nut out of the equation doesn't it?) Or does it? The saddle wasn't messed with and I've made sure it doesn't have anything where the string sits. Must be the nut, right?

Any help is appreciated.
thanks
M

[ebes]

thanks for the replies.

the nut was cut for the same gauge string i am using. I had a local tech do the work and as far as I know the string height should be the same as the original nut, though I don't know for sure.

What's your thought on fretted notes being affected by a nut. (e.g. string groove cut too deep.) Is it possible that it would affect the sound, sustain, etc. of a fretted note?

I would go back to the tech on this but I had some less than desirable work done in the past already and this was the 'second' chance. I'm not sure going back will do much good for me on this one.

[wavey63]

[quote=ebes;4528258]


What's your thought on fretted notes being affected by a nut. (e.g. string groove cut too deep.) Is it possible that it would affect the sound, sustain, etc. of a fretted note?


My opinion is that it should not matter when fretting a note. I still think the saddle got out of whack. Also, if the strings are old or oxidized that will give dull notes also. You are not using the same set you had when the nut was removed, are you?

[ebes]

brand new strings. Hmm. Maybe I should take another look at the saddle. Not sure what to look for. Both screws are touching the bridge plate, the string height is definitely not too low....

[Eagle1]

Put the graphite nut back on ,as the one PRS use is good sounding .Why change it?