ZB-9 Unslotted Replacement Nut for Banjos, Mandolins and Ukuleles

$39.99

Material

Slots

The Zero Glide Replacement Nut System borrows the "zero fret" concept to reduce string contact in the nut by up to 93%, increasing tuning stability, playability, and open string tone. It only takes a few minutes to install with absolutely no permanent alteration to your instrument. For Banjo / Mandolin (Blank).

Also available in Black Delrin.

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See sizing guide for correct fit.
  • Length: 38.0mm (1-1/2")
  • Radius: FLAT
  • Production Height: 8.5mm (21/64")
  • End Height: 8.5mm (21/64")
  • Fingerboard: 6.5mm (1/4")
  • Thickness: 4.9mm (3/16")
  • Fret Sizes: L, M, H, J (.035", .039", .043", .051")
  • Special Notes: Unslotted Version of ZS-8, ZS-10
ZB-9 Unslotted Replacement Nut for Banjos, Mandolins and Ukuleles
*Measurements in mm
Convert to inches

Reviews

An Excellent Product!

Apr 30, 2016

I bought two of these, one Gibson-style and one Fender-style for two of my favorite project guitars, an Epiphone LPX and my Jazz-O-Caster parts guitar. The Gibson was a near drop-in, needing only some trimming and shaping for a perfect fit. The Fender was slightly more challenging, as the neck on the Jazz-O-Caster never saw the inside of any Fender-approved factory! It required a 1/32" shim underneath for a proper fit, and some sanding to make room for the tang. There was a marked increase in the brightness of tone for both instruments, as well as improved intonation. This is MUCH easier than installing a traditional nut, and nearly foolproof IF you follow the instructions. Thanks, Stewart-Macdonald, for stocking such a well-engineered product.

John from Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page
glue it

Jun 23, 2017

I've used this for over a month and I'm more happy now than when I first installed it. The intonation on my acoustic is better than it ever was...you can fine tune the saddle almost dead on for intonation. One suggestion.....be sure to glue in the zero fret with a few drops of glue once you get the guitar right. I was working on my guitar on and off for a month and didn't glue in the zero fret. I was taking the strings on and off. Every time you reinstall the zero fret it will be in a slightly different place. String against fret will cause a slightly different indentation in the zero fret. You want the string to stay in the same spot on the zero fret.

David S Kennedy Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page
I am addicted to Zero Glide.

Apr 13, 2018

I wrote another review about Zero Glide and my Gold Tone OB 150 banjo. As many already know the Zero Glide Nut is standard equipment on the OB 150 banjo. Gold Tone has this nut on other instruments too. I like this nut system for a lot of reasons. I installed a Zero Glide nut on my Martin D custom and I even installed a Zero Glide on my Washburn M3SWK F body mandolin. Those stock plastic nuts on many of the entry level pro instruments just does not cut it. You are cheating yourself and your audience out of a lot of tone and sweetness that ears should be hearing. The Zero Glide nut does a world of wonders for my instruments. Do yourself a favor and get one on your axe. You may love it. I know I do. I am addicted to Zero Glide.

Ray Lawrence Jr. Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page
YES there is a Zero Glide nut for a square neck resonator.

Jul 16, 2021
Do you play a square neck Dobro You know that resonator guitar that is used in bluegrass music Then get a Zero Glide for that instrument. YES it works. I have a Gold Tone OB150 5 string banjo where I was introduced to the ZERO GLIDE nut system. This started a long time love affair with this fine invention. I installed one on a mandolin my Martin D custom that is my number 1 guitar I have one on one of my Telecasters and the rest will soon get them. If it has a nut then it needs a ZERO GLIDE nut. This is very easy to install you can even do the sanding to fit it with a Stew Mac tool that you use to sand nuts and saddles so you will be sure to get a perfectly flat surface for best results. Follow the instructions and you will be able to install the ZERO GLIDE nut even if you are not an experienced Luthier. You can improve tone on a entry level square neck resonator guitar like my Morgan Monroe and any other fretted instrument you install the ZERO GLIDE nut system. You can replace the cone and the spider bridge and the saddles with all the Beard goodies you can get to make your Dobro shine tone wise but DO NOT FORGET the ZERO GLIDE nut system. The one mod that will save you from a world of pain. You will not have to buy a very expensive set of nut files to install and set up a ZERO GLIDE nut system because it is not required unless you get one without slots for a custom job. The nut is bone and the fret wire is metal sometimes stainless steel so you are actually adding to your tone and you take away the usual nut issues with a Zero Glide. Everything I put a ZERO GLIDE nut system on plays much better and sounds much better too. YES there is a ZERO GLIDE nut for your Dobro and just about everything else. Need something custom ZERO GLIDE can help with custom nuts.
Ray Lawrence Jr Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page
Great Tone

Jan 3, 2017

This was my first attempt at installing a zero glide. It only took me about an hour to complete the install and I am very pleased with the tone of my open back banjo with the new zero glide nut!

Joseph from Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page

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