pics of Weissenborn nuts wanted

[John Groover McDuffie]

I don't mean pics of people that are nuts over Weissenborns.

I'd like to see some close-ups of nuts on well set-up and/or original Weissenborn type guitars if anyone could post some.

Thanks,

JGMcD

[Tony Francis]

Kia ora John,

Here you go-

Front;



Bass side;



Treble side;



Guitar view;



Both of these nuts are from late 1920s instruments which are a little more refined than earlier models. Because the setup at the bridge (aluminum saddle) is a given, the nut becomes all the more critical. Measurements are at the shop, but main details as follows;

-Nut height is graduated in height from bass to treble, so that the strings look even to the player.

-Top of strings are exactly level and planar to each other.

-About the 1/3 top of the wound strings are above the surface of the nut, plain steel fully seated.

Any questions?

[Jim Sallis]

One thing I've wondered, is what "standard" nut height may be -- how high are strings off the neck? Seems to me I've seen some quite close, yet players get good volume.

[John Groover McDuffie]

Thanks. My reasons for wanting to see some is because the "ricenborn' Chinese-made copy I have, while a generally nice guitar, has a nut that is 1) made of some kind of wood, maybe rosewood, and 2) very thick, much thicker that any typical nuts I have seen.



I wanted to know if these characteristics were copied from originals. From what is posted so far it doesn't appear so. I guess a nice bone nut is in order.

I also am interested to read that the saddles are aluminum, and wonder if I should go that route rather than bone?

[Tony Francis]

Hi John,

No problem. What you have is a great guitar for the money, but not really a copy of an original Weissenborn per say, other than the form of the neck.

You might like to check with your local luthier about having a replacement bone nut made. With regard to the saddle, Aluminum wire saddles are a standard Weissenborn detail. I'm guessing this guitar would have a routed saddle, in which case you can still have a replacement made from aluminum that would work great. Either of these would be a huge improvement.

One thing I've wondered, is what "standard" nut height may be -- how high are strings off the neck? Seems to me I've seen some quite close, yet players get good volume.

Hi Jim,

Here are the standard late 1920s Weissenborn specs;

String height (to underside)
@ Nut: 5,0mm / 0.196"(B) - 5,5mm / 0.216"(T)
@ Saddle: 11,5mm / 0.452"

One thing I wanted to mention here is that these setup specs are a part of the design, construction and execution of vintage Weissenborns as a whole. The strings are very low which adds a lot of flexibility to the voice. To much height/tension will kill it musically speaking. Ben Elder once said something along the lines of "to dobrotise a Weissenborn is to miss its fundamental glory" - I couldn't agree more.

Best,

Tony Francis

[Jim Sallis]

Many thanks, Tony. I suspected as much from the few old Weissenborns I've seen. Just hadn't seen specs before. Much appreciated.