View source for Nut (string instrument)

{{Short description|Part of a stringed instrument}}
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|image1=Violin_Nut_1.jpg
|caption1=[[Violin]]
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|caption2=[[Mandolin]]
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|caption3=[[Guitar]]
|image4=Qian Jin.jpg
|caption4=[[Erhu]]
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A '''nut''', on a [[string instrument|stringed musical instrument]], is a small piece of hard material that supports the [[Strings (music)|strings]] at the end closest to the [[headstock]] or [[Scroll (music)|scroll]]. The nut marks one end of the vibrating length of each open string, sets the spacing of the strings across the neck, and usually holds the strings at the proper height from the [[fingerboard]]. Along with the [[Bridge (instrument)|bridge]], the nut defines the [[scale length (string instruments)|scale length]]s (vibrating length) of the open strings.

The nut may be made of [[ebony]], [[ivory]], cow bone, [[brass]], [[Corian]], Tusq or plastic, and is usually notched or grooved for the strings. The grooves are designed to lead the string from the fingerboard to the headstock or pegbox in a smooth curve, to prevent damage to the strings or their windings. Bowed string instruments in particular benefit from an application of soft pencil graphite in the notches of the nut, to preserve the delicate flat windings of their strings.

==Etymology==
The word may have come from the German ''Nut'' (pronounced "noot"), meaning ''groove'' or ''slot''. The nut, however, is called a ''[[:de:Sattel (Saiteninstrument)|de:Sattel]]'' ("saddle"; also ''Obersattel'') in German, whereas the part of a guitar known as the ''saddle'' in English, the surface of the bridge on which the strings rest, is called a ''[[:de:Steg (Saiteninstrument)|de:Stegeinlage]]'' or ''Steg'', in German. In French, the nut is known as a ''[[:fr:sillet]]'', which, like German, can also translate to mean saddle. The Italian term, ''capo tasto'' (or ''capotasto''; "head of fretboard"), is the origin of the [[Capo (musical device)|capo]].

==Variations==
Not all string instruments have nuts as described. The nuts on some instruments are notched deeply enough that they are just string spacers. These instruments use a [[zero fret]]—a [[fret]] at the beginning of the scale where a normal nut would be that provides the correct string clearance. The zero fret is often found on less expensive instruments, as it is easier to set up an instrument this way. However, a zero fret also makes the sound of the open string similar to fretted notes. A conventional nut can make open strings sound slightly different—and for this reason some high-end instruments use a zero fret.<ref>{{cite web| title = Parts of the Mandolin: The Nut| url = http://fstylemandolin.info/mandolin-parts-nut/}}</ref>

String slots in a nut without a zero fret must be cut to the proper depth to make string height correct. Strings that are too low at the nut can buzz against the frets, and too high throws off [[Intonation (music)|intonation]] of fretted notes.

[[File:AX Music Man Bongo 5 Head Front.jpg|thumb|Compensated nut on a [[Music Man Bongo]] 5 [[bass guitar]]]]
Some fretted instruments have a compensated nut. This type of nut provides better average theoretical [[Intonation (music)|intonation]] across the instrument, although this improved accuracy may be below the threshold of human ability to hear it<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mottola|first1=RM|title=Blind Listening Evaluation of Steel String Acoustic Guitar Compensation Strategies|journal=Open Science Framework|date=October 21, 2017|doi=10.17605/OSF.IO/BQZF4|url=https://osf.io/bqzf4/download}}</ref> and may also be below the threshold of uncontrollable note-to-note intonation variability.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mottola|first1=RM|title=Same-Fretted-Note Intonation Variability of the Steel String Acoustic Guitar|journal=Open Science Framework|date=January 18, 2018|doi=10.17605/OSF.IO/45MTC|url=https://osf.io/45mtc/download}}</ref> The principle given that strings are different thicknesses and have different tensions, the [[musical temperament|temperament]] of each fret is not 100% accurate for an [[equal temperament]] instrument. This is especially evident on the first few frets of an electric guitar. Many guitar players notice how 'open position' chords (Such as E, A, C, D and G) never sound in tune with each other. A compensated nut aims to correct this, by staggering the starting position of each string according to thickness. While not a complete solution such as a true temperament fretboard, there is a noticeable difference in tuning within chords. Many guitar companies, such as [[Music Man (company)|Music Man]], and [[ESP Guitars|ESP]] include compensated nuts as standard on most of their instruments, and companies such as Earvana provide retrofittable types.

Another type is a ''locking nut''. This nut—usually used in conjunction with a locking [[vibrato]] system such as a [[Floyd Rose]] or Kahler—clamps the strings against the nut. This improves tuning stability when using the vibrato bar. A drawback however, is that the locking nut must be loosened using an Allen wrench to tune outside the range of the fine tuners on the bridge (if present).

The [[erhu]] does not use a hard nut to define the vibrating length of the open string, but rather a ''qiān jin'' (千斤), a loop of string, or, less commonly, a metal hook.

Some guitars have a rolling nut. In this design, made popular by [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]], the strings sit on roller bearings instead of nut slots. The rollers let the string freely slide or roll through the nut. The roller nut helps keep the guitar in tune by preventing the strings from getting stuck in the nut.<ref>[http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/electric-guitar-repairs/nut_repair.html Guitar Nut Repair] article on the Guitar Repair Bench Luthier Website</ref>

==Keyboard instruments==
The term "nut" also refers to [[bridge (instrument)|bridges]] on certain keyboard instruments. On [[harpsichord]]s, it designates the non-sounding bridge located near the tuning pins away from the player. On [[virginal]]s, the term usually designates the bridge on the left side, away from the tuning pins. The term is not always applied consistently.<ref>{{Cite Grove |last=Boyden |first=David D. |title=Nut (ii)}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Strings (music)}}
{{Violin family}}

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[[Category:String instrument construction]]
[[Category:Musical instrument parts and accessories]]