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

Worth The Effort

May 15, 2016

An inexperienced guitar tech worked on the nut of my Guild M75 Aristocrat electric and I ended up with a "sitar" sound on my high E string and a dead G string and bad intonation. A friend recommended Zero Glide and that company recommended this particular nut.

Installation was not particularly difficult for a handy guy, but took two hours and involved sanding nearly 1/8 inch off the bottom of the new nut and 1/16th plus off each side while being careful to keep it even. The video on the company website helps. Once fitted correctly you decide how big of a 'zero fret' you want. There are four of different sizes in the package. I tried them all and found that the smaller ones provide very low action at the nut (which is nice), but require a higher action up the neck to clear the first fret where the strings can rattle. I ended up using the largest fret provided as it allowed me low action where I need it. Once you have it figured out you trim the zero fret to length and glue it

WAL from Review pulled from Amazons Zero Glide Product Page
What sorcery is this ?

Jun 3, 2018

Just put one of these on an old beater of a cheap strat-clone kit that I use to experiment with "creative" wiring. Suddenly its in tune up and down the neck and stays that way after using the trem as well. It cost half the price of the kit but it has significantly improved the value of the instrument to me. It required a little sanding of the back of the nut but nothing drastic. I dont have many dedicated luthier tools so the fret wire is not trimmed perfectly (but the look is in keeping with the overall "relic'd" appearance of the guitar). The question now becomes can I get a discount if I order these in bulk?

Dean from Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page
Great product!!!

Oct 18, 2020

Easy to install. I'll use it on all my new builds.

Lewis Parker from 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 product

Dec 31, 2017

My circa 1997 American Standard Strat always had a problem with staying in tune after whammy bar use. I tried pencil graphite and different string sizes with not much luck. I put this nut on and a set of Gotoh locking tuners and now it seems to stay in tune very well.

Jeff from Review pulled from Stew Macs Zero Glide Product Page

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