Edit: just skip to the pic, you'll get the idea. :-)
Turns out cutting a new nut for a 4-string is a lot less work than an 8 string, 1.5 hrs vs 5 for the first time I did one.
The Eastwood Warren Ellis Mandostang (4-string electric) is the latest victim.
It came with a nut 1/16 narrower than the fretboard, and the strings were arranged to use 1/8 less than the nut. So a neck that could take a 1 3/16" nut, had a 1 1/8 nut, and was cut like a 1". Go figure there, I guess that means with some nut work you can have whatever you want on this guy, and it comes narrow.
I can see how some people would like narrow, it felt good in some ways, but I was having to work to get used to it, my pick sometimes went too far, I was struggling as I played.
Then I played a few classical arpeggiation etudes, and the dreaded adjacent string muting problem was there, so it needed a wider string spacing for my playing style, just like the Eastman MD604 did.
So it got a 1 1/8" nut with wider string spacing. For extra fun I put just a hair (1/64) more space between the G and A. I find that helps because its harder to keep your fingers vertical when reaching across the fretboard, so this takes the strain off reaching for the G without muting the D. I like making an instrument work for you instead of the other way around. It's funny how small adjustments like that make a difference you can feel. It reduces playing effort, everything just feels more natural.
Now it feels like my other good mandolin (the MD604), I like that. My speed is way up. The 4 string is faster than my 8-string, that seems right somehow.
I used to think I liked wider nuts, but I really don't. 1 1/8" is more than enough, even an Eastman 1 3/32 is fine, it's the string spacing that matters.
I am definitely loving this whole mando thing, and the gear-head in me seems to have found a way to make this obsession even more fun.
And here is a pic of the Mandostang with the old nut resting on top so you can see the difference:
Last edited by kurth83; May-25-2019 at 1:11am.
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
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