I'm restoring a Washburn "New Model" 1890s bowlback Mandolin. Its gone well, and I could use your suggestions about the nut. Not a luthier, but am able to do precision work.
The G# D# A# and F notes on the first fret don't fret cleanly, but all other frets do. [The fretboard and frets were in bad shape and I had a curved fretboard with large frets installed.] The nut on the instrument looks like ivory with badly measured & badly cut string grooves. I'd like to sand the top of the nut down to the bottom of the string grooves.
Here are various approximate measurements. The distance from the fingerboard to the bottom of the E string groove is ~.065". The distance from the fingerboard to the bottom of the G string groove is ~.085". The frets are .043" high. What is the optimum height of the nut and depth of the string grooves? An E string tuned to pitch is .055" above the .043" 12th fret. I know this is low, but arthritis is an issue for the person who will play this instrument. Will use ultra-light strings on it.
Thanks for reading this essay :^) and I'm grateful for any suggestions you'd have.
-- Thanks, Joel Glassman
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