Official Luthiers Forum!

I have noticed several mandos with Pearl Nuts. Is this just for asthetics or does the pearl have some tonal qualities that are preferable over bone/others. I am thinking of using on two guitars that are just about ready to go... any comments are greatly appreciated.

p.s. any good/recommended suppliers?

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Really hard to find pearl wide and thick enough to make guitar nuts. Typically the thickest you will find the pearl is 3/16" and the longest 2-2 1/2". not quite enough for a one piece guitar nut

Depaul supply sells pearn nuts that are plenty big. I have expeimented wth it, Seems to give a little brighter tone.

Thanks arvey,
I picked up two while at the symposium but couldn't remember from who. I would like to have several extra. I am going to give it a try. Sure does look pretty.
Thanks Again!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Interesting though becuse it looks great and the color seems to move around as you look at it from different angles but look from the wrong angle and it goes flat.

Richardarvey38565.9997916667

There was a discussion about pearl nuts on the Mandolin Cafe forum a few weeks back. As usual with these things it ended in a fairly acrimonious dispute between those who think it makes a huge difference to the sound and those that don't.

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Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

i've not tried it but have heard it on mando and banjo. if would expect it to have the same sort affect on guitar, and there is no reason to believe theat it wouldn't,so i wo n't be using it. i would liken its effect as being along the same lines as brass on a banjo, though i can't say the same about a mando as i haven't heard a brass nut in one.

I don't know either...I'm going to try it...although I won't replace it with bone if it sounds acceptable. The customers who are buying these two guitars are looking for "sizzle" more than the steak so...I hope it pleases them. Thanks for the replies!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

To quote Gen. George Patton after a reporter asked him where he got his pearl griped side arm. He replied "It Ivory, you D!*m fool! A real man has Ivory!!! Only a two bit New Orlean's Dandy wold have Pearl." MichaelP38566.604537037