What material could this be?

[Dave Bagwill]

On this zero-fret neck, there is some black material acting as the nut. What is it, do you think, or what would work in its place?
Thanks

[Kevin in California]

Could be water buffalo horn, or black paper micarta.
I used buffalo horn for the nut and saddle on one of my guitars..a nice look.

Kevin

[ken cierp]

Maybe?
http://www.graphtech.com/products/brand ... uitar-nuts

[Dave Bagwill]

I've seen that horn material, it is a nice look.
Actually for a zero-fretter, that material just serves as a spacing guide for the strings and has no sonic value, but I do like the black material.

[Kevin in California]

If you want some or some black micarta I can send you some.
I have pieces of horn for nuts, but none at the moment for saddles.
You could try it and see if you like it. I can tell you where to buy it too, from a knife making supply house

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

PM on the way :-)

[Dave Bagwill]

Thought I'd bump up this thread with a question about the zero-fret.
It looks to me, in the pic attached, like the zero fret itself is bone or some other material that is just the height and radius of the first fret, shaped in such a way that the string comes off the front edge - is that correct? And the material behind it can be rather loosely slotted, its purpose being only to keep the strings in the right location.
As simple as that?
I still have the black bone sent to me from Kevin, reckon it's time to use it! :-) My newest 'student' Tom is wanting a zero fret and I like this approach to it.