Just put one of these on an old beater of a cheap strat-clone kit that I use to experiment with "creative" wiring. Suddenly its in tune up and down the neck and stays that way after using the trem as well. It cost half the price of the kit but it has significantly improved the value of the instrument to me. It required a little sanding of the back of the nut but nothing drastic. I dont have many dedicated luthier tools so the fret wire is not trimmed perfectly (but the look is in keeping with the overall "relic'd" appearance of the guitar). The question now becomes can I get a discount if I order these in bulk?
Had tuning stability and buzzing issues after ten years on my first bone nut. Also have always been bothered by open string vs. fretted string sounds. I play mostly flat picking/crosspicking styles and Travis style picking. The consistency of the note makes both more enjoyable for me. No buzzing lower action smoother tuning smoother playing easier bending etc... Have all been a result. Took me about two hours to get height and width of nut and fret correct. Had to get a smaller get shipped from gold tone and their customer service was the easiest I have ever experienced. Had part in two days and I am satisfied.
I m impressed with this. Easy to install. I m not a luthiar but I have refretted a few guitars and made some nuts and saddles. This is a pretty incredible system. I was going to cut a new nut for an acoustic guitar I just bought. I tested it and it was not sliding perfectly through the nut even though there was no ping while tuning. The way I test a nut is to strike a note then smack the string between the nut and the machine heads. behind the nut I put a tuner on the head stock so I can watch the note go up and come back. It simulates a good bend and you can watch the quality of the nut you have on the guitar. Most guitars will stick at about 6 to 10 cents above the tuned note unless you have a really well cut nut. At least the wound strings will....steel strings will usually drop back to the tuned note if the nut is decent . The nut I had on this guitar was pretty good....no pings while tuning yet it would still catch occasionally which effected tuning.
$39.99
ZS-5 Slotted Replacement Nut for Guitars (Common on Taylor)
Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 3007 [model] => ZS-5 [quickbooks_model] => Zero Glide:Slotted:ZS5 Bone [preferred_vendor] => Dalian Mantech Guitar Co.,Ltd (Samsung) [preferred_vendor_list_id] => 80001B3F-1324671482 [base_model] => [labels] => Bone,Black Delrin +$10;Right-Handed,Left-Handed [var_matrix] => 0,0 [visible] => 1 [is_zeroglide] => 1 [is_slotted] => 1 [brand] => zeroglide [type] => products [category] => guitar [sub_category] => taylor [instrument] => guitar-slide [product_url] => zs-5 [old_url] => http://www.zeroglide.com/product/zs-5-taylor-slotted/ [product_name] => ZS-5 Slotted for Guitars (Common on Taylor) [product_title] => ZS-5 Slotted Replacement Nut for Guitars (Common on Taylor) [net] => 18 [retail] => 0 [mapp] => 39.99 [cost] => 4.25 [sellable] => 1 [left_hand] => 0 [stock] => 176 [reorder_point] => 0 [qty_on_hand] => 184 [qty_on_so] => 8 [effective_qty_on_so] => 8 [qty_on_po] => 0 [qty_sold_1_months] => 9 [qty_sold_3_months] => 28 [qty_sold_6_months] => 53 [qty_sold_7_months] => 56 [qty_sold_8_months] => 62 [qty_sold_9_months] => 63 [qty_sold_10_months] => 79 [qty_sold_11_months] => 83 [qty_sold_12_months] => 95 [addons] => 3083,3084,3085,3086 [weight] => 0.10 [length] => 5 [width] => 4 [height] => 1 [product_description] =>The Zero Glide Replacement Nut System borrows the "zero fret" concept to reduce string contact in the nut by up to 93%, increasing tuning stability, playability, and open string tone. It only takes a few minutes to install with absolutely no permanent alteration to your instrument. For Taylor Style Guitar.
Also available in Black Delrin.
Note: May not fit specific models. Check the sizing guide to be sure.
[product_length] => 45.8mm (1-51/64") [radius] => 16" [production_height] => 9.5mm (3/8") [height_end] => 8.85mm (11/32") [fingerboard] => 7.3mm (9/32") [thickness] => 5.9mm (15/64") [fret_size] => L, M, H, J (.035", .039", .043", .051") [string_spacing] => 35.7mm (1-13/32") [string_gauges] => .056", .046", .036", .026", .018", .014" [special_notes] => [product_option_labels] => Material;Hand [product_option_0] => Bone [product_option_1] => Right [product_option_2] => [is_on_forecasting_report] => 1 [img_urls] => 1-front.jpg,2-back.jpg,3-diagram.jpg [alt_info] => zb-4,Unslotted Version [alt_product_id] => 3006 [upc] => 875116002541 [reverb_category_uuid] => 1f99c852-9d20-4fd3-a903-91da9c805a5e [sync_with_reverb] => 1 [always_in_stock] => 1 ) )