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 Fender Style "Jazz Bass".
Also available in Black Delrin.
Note: May not fit specific models. Check the sizing guide to be sure.
The Zero Glide performs like the manufacturer claims it will. It took less than one hour to complete the installation and have the guitar playing. The nut I removed was cheap plastic and the thin wires had cut down into the nut to the point that there was severe fret buzz on the open strings. The Zero Glide cured that and has all of the strings at the same level. I used a disc sander to shape the nut to length and height in a few minutes. About five more minutes and the nut was polished. The installation looks good. I suggest a person view the manufacturer's installation video before doing the installation.
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.
I play fingerstyle guitar. My favorite guitar is a Gretsch 5420 Electromatic . For some reason the designers at Gretsch moved away from the zero fret. When You string up with 10's or 9's I guess it probably doesn't matter much because the first position will be easy with light gauge strings. My touch and style of playing requires .012's. With heavier strings while the 5420 is beautiful to see and hear the first position was challenging to play. I installed the zero glide following the instructions in the package and to my amazing pleasure the 5420 played like my '66 Nashville used to. I couldn't be happier. Thanks to the people that designed this product. The tone is great the tuning is improved and the first position action is second to none.
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.
$39.99