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FAQs

What is TUSQ made of?

TUSQ is a proprietary material which is precision engineered under high pressure and heat. It is specifically formulated to deliver the right frequencies with the optimum transfer rate to the top of your guitar every time.  Because of the way TUSQ is

Can I modify TUSQ to fit my guitar?

Due to TUSQ’s consistency, it is extremely easy to work with. You can easily modify it with fine-grit sandpaper or other commonly used shaping tools.

How is TUSQ different from any other material (bone, micarta, and corian) used in nuts and saddles)?

TUSQ is a very resonant material. This resonance alone will give you a full and deep sound that will amplify your tone to a new level. Secondly, it's a consistent material, allowing every note you play to sound just as clear and full as the next. In

What does TUSQ sound like on an electric guitar?

Compared to our String Saver saddles, you will notice a peak in the 1K range with TUSQ saddles. You will hear your guitar reaching noticeably higher frequencies. Simply put, you will get a slightly brighter sound and increased harmonic content.

Which manufacturers use TUSQ on their guitars?

To see a list of all the major guitar manufactures that are using TUSQ products on their guitars click here.

Graph Tech Nut & Saddle Characteristics

Here at Graph Tech, we get asked all the time "what is the difference between TUSQ & TUSQ XL?" or "What exactly is Fossalite?". Here is a quick rundown on the different type of materials we manufacture and why you would choose one over the other... T

Will the 6060 fit my Epiphone instrument?

We have recently found that a certainly era of Epiphone instruments have been assembled with a different stock nuts than usual, making our 6060 incompatible. But fear not! We have come out with the 6061, which will be a suitable replacement for Epiph

What type of glue should I use for bonding Graph Tech materials to wood?

For holding a Graph Tech nut in place, use a thin coat of white wood glue, such as Elmers. Using a cyanoacrylate glue, like super glue, can cause some damaged if you every wanted to change out the nut in the future, as it may take a bit of the wood

Can I use acetone to remove CA glue from TUSQ material?

Yes, acetone can be safely used to remove cyanoacrylate (CA) glue residues from TUSQ material without damaging it.  However, we do recommend using a white wood glue. like Elmers,  when installing any nut. Cyanoacrylate (CA) can bond too tightly with

What is Black TUSQ XL?

Black TUSQ XL is a proprietary material precision-engineered, which is under high pressure and heat. It is permanently lubricated throughout to reduce friction between the nut material and the string.  It is specifically formulated to deliver the rig

Can I modify Black TUSQ XL to fit my guitar?

Due to Black TUSQ XL’s consistency it is extremely easy to work with.  You can easily modify it with fine grit sandpaper or other commonly used shaping tools.

What is the difference between Black TUSQ XL and a TUSQ nut?

The biggest difference is that TUSQ XL is impregnated with the lubricating agent; the lubrication prevents strings from binding in the slots. TUSQ is not. You get better tuning stability, especially when using a tremolo or bending strings. TUSQ XL al

Will the self lubrication wear off the nut?

The lubrication material is impregnated throughout our nuts, so its lubricating properties will never wear out.

You have so many guitar nuts, how do I figure out which one is right for my guitar?

We probably have a nut that either fits perfectly or is close. The best thing to do is measure your nut for length, thickness, height and, E-E spacing. Pay close attention to the E-to-E spacing, then check your measurements with the ones on our site.

Will installing a BLACK TUSQ XL (formerly Trem-Nut) or TUSQ nut change my tone?

A quality nut will improve the tonal quality of your guitar when playing open strings. It will also improve the performance of your guitar by reducing string binding and improving tuning stability.

Why is there a little tab on the bottom of the PT-5000-00 nut?

With the spacer tab in, the PT-5000 fits many Strat and Tele-style guitars that have a flat-bottomed nut slot. Removing the spacer (by filing, grinding or cutting) will fit original Fender, G&L-style curved bottomed nut slots. We also have a nut with

Neck Woods

Tonewoods can also have impart significant qualties to the neck. Understanding how each piece of the guitar comes together, and why each wood is used in each part can be a downright science. Guitar makers can choose woods that create a brighter tone,

Fretboard Woods

Perhaps more significant than neck wood, the fretboard is the place your string launches from. It is the “bridge” on the other side. Fretboard differences are as dramatic as those between a hardtail and a tremolo. Maple: Very bright and dense, Maple

Different Woods, Different Tones (Part 2)

Agathis: Agathis is a 'poor man's mahogany', related to the pine family of woods and grown in many Asian countries. It's cheap, easy to use, and gives consistent and stable results, so it is often used with less expensive instruments. The best way to

How to Measure a Guitar Nut and Saddle

At Graph Tech, we offer over 250 different nut and saddle styles and sizes along with complete customization options for our OEM manufacturers. With so many options, it can get very confusing when it comes to ordering the correct part for your guitar

What type of glue should I use for bonding Graph Tech materials to wood?

For holding a Graph Tech nut in place, use a thin coat of white wood glue, such as Elmers. Using a cyanoacrylate glue, like super glue, can cause some damaged if you every wanted to change out the nut in the future, as it may take a bit of the wood

Why is NuBone only available in pre-slotted and compensated models?

The reason we only make pre-shaped NuBone nuts and saddles is that if you are going to spend the money on a custom shaped nut or saddle you might as well use one of our premium TUSQ product because most of the cost is in the labor.

Will NuBone improve the sound on my guitar?

Compared to plastic, bone or Corian, NuBone will improve the tone of your guitar, increase sustain and help create a more balanced sound from string to string.

Can I use acetone to remove CA glue from TUSQ material?

Yes, acetone can be safely used to remove cyanoacrylate (CA) glue residues from TUSQ material without damaging it.  However, we do recommend using a white wood glue. like Elmers,  when installing any nut. Cyanoacrylate (CA) can bond too tightly with

What type of glue should I use for bonding Graph Tech materials to wood?

For holding a Graph Tech nut in place, use a thin coat of white wood glue, such as Elmers. Using a cyanoacrylate glue, like super glue, can cause some damaged if you every wanted to change out the nut in the future, as it may take a bit of the wood

How deep should I carve the groove for a nut on my guitar neck?

It's recommended that you sand the bottom of a new Graph Tech nut to compensate for the height rather than carve the guitar. You can then fine-tune each string's height, if necessary, with nut files or, in a pinch, a piece of 400 grit sandpaper folde

What is NuBone?

NuBone is a derivative of Graph Tech's proprietary TUSQ material and offers very similar tonal characteristics to our highly esteemed TUSQ. NuBone doesn't damp string vibration like plastic; instead, it transfers the optimum frequencies to the guitar

What is the difference of TUSQ and NuBone?

The major difference between TUSQ and NuBone is that TUSQ is a slightly harder material and has a slightly brighter sound.  The tonal difference is slight and not evident to everyone.

Why is NuBone only available in packs of 10 pieces?

Actually, NuBone is also available in three different packaging options.  It comes in a ten pack, a five pack, or a convenient Master Luthier Kit.  This kit comes with our nine most popular nuts and three most popular saddles, with a total of fifty p

Can I use acetone to remove CA glue from TUSQ material?

Yes, acetone can be safely used to remove cyanoacrylate (CA) glue residues from TUSQ material without damaging it.  However, we do recommend using a white wood glue. like Elmers,  when installing any nut. Cyanoacrylate (CA) can bond too tightly with

Paul Reed Smith Guitar Nuts

The 6643 is often a good fit for many of the PRS instruments on the market. However, it is always the best policy to cross-reference our listed dimensions against your stock parts to ensure an accurate fit.

What are the mechanical and chemical properties of your nut materials?

While properties like hardness and density are often points of curiosity, they don’t provide anywhere near the full picture when it comes to the tone and performance of our products such as TUSQ nuts and String Saver saddles. Our products are designe