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Do you ‘camber’ the slots on the nut of a Les Paul?

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jaymenonjaymenon Frets: 815
in Making & Modding

People talk about straight line pull on the strings of various guitars (typically the stratocaster) - and so...

On a Les Paul the strings look angled across the nut:

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/J2jc1Gx.jpg)


But I’m thinking - even on a Les Paul - if you view each string from its appropriate angle, it would appear as a straight line? 

See the G String here:

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/3cffeev.jpg)

And the D String Below:

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/z0EU38d.jpg)

And so one would think that slot would be best cut from the perspective of this view of each string? And it would be cambered such that the base of the slot would be perpendicular to this view? With a view to avoid binding / friction on the sides of the nut slot... 

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Comments

  • ICBMICBM Frets: 72298
    I 'flare' the slots on the headstock side so the string doesn't rub along the side of the groove. It seems to help, although so does lubricant.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

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  • JalapenoJalapeno Frets: 6389
    edited May 2019
    I'd say the angle on top of that nut is excessive, a likely pinch point for snappage.

    Slot the nut the same angle as the string will follow (ie. not level) and as ICBM ^^^^ 'flare the slots at the back, making sure not to double gouge the slot (resulting in the infamous ping noise as you bend strings).

    Edit - like this



    It does take practice (I'm v rusty these days) - StewMac DVD is a good source https://www.stewmac.com/How-To/DVD/Dan_Erlewines_Repair_Series/Dan_Erlewines_Nut_Making_Step-By-Step.html

    Imagine something sharp and witty here ......

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  • gary_macgary_mac Frets: 66
    I do the same as @ICBM ;
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14422
    Jalapeno said:
    StewMac DVD is a good source
    They have a whole page full of Erlewine tutorial videos. Fill yer boots.

    https://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Guitar_Nut_and_Saddle_Setup_and_Repair/
    You say, atom bomb. I say, tin of corned beef.
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  • martmart Frets: 5205
    jaymenon said:

    ...

    And so one would think that slot would be best cut from the perspective of this view of each string? And it would be cambered such that the base of the slot would be perpendicular to this view? With a view to avoid binding / friction on the sides of the nut slot... 

    While that might be desirable from a theoretical point of view, in practice it would be virtually impossible, since any change to the depth of the nut slot would then impact on the string spacing. The disadvantages of entangling these two dimensions (nut slot depth and string spacing) would outweigh any theoretical advantages you might gain.
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  • DanielsguitarsDanielsguitars Frets: 3290
    tFB Trader
    I slightly angle the slot too and flare out the back then i physically bend behind the nut to see if it returns to pitch, this seems to work well for me so far
    www.danielsguitars.co.uk
    (formerly customkits)
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