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429 Views 11 Replies Latest reply: Feb 17, 2012 3:58 AM by tywebb RSS
tywebb Just Startin'
tywebb
32 posts since
Feb 5, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 16, 2012 5:31 AM

Earvana nut on a 59?

Would like to get my 59 a little better 'in tune' with itself for open chords and I'm wondering if anyone has attempted to install an Earvana nut on one yet?  If not, maybe I'll be the guinea pig and give it a shot. 

  • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
    TheRealZap
    9,525 posts since
    Dec 22, 2006
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    Jan 16, 2012 5:44 AM (in response to tywebb)
    Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

    it comes from the factory with a pretty nice graphtec nut...

    i don't think you'll gain much there....

    but by all means, report back i'd love to hear your feedback.

  • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
    silverhead
    8,080 posts since
    Apr 1, 2009
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    Jan 16, 2012 6:02 AM (in response to tywebb)
    Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

    I put an Earvana nut on my Variax 300 and was pleased with the results. Can't speak for the JTV59, but I'm waiting for one and may get an Earvanan nut on that so I'd be interested in your feedback if you go ahead with it.

  • lindsayward Just Startin'
    lindsayward
    108 posts since
    Mar 7, 2007
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    Jan 18, 2012 4:46 PM (in response to tywebb)
    Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

    I put an Earvana nut on my Variax 600 and wasn't sure I could tell the difference. Now that I have a JTV-59, it doesn't sound as in-tune as the 600, so perhaps I can tell! Not sure if I'll make the switch though. It would be nice if they made the Earvana with the same quality material as the GraphTech one.

    What one would you get for the 59?

  • iainpwboyd Just Startin'
    iainpwboyd
    53 posts since
    Jan 31, 2007
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    Jan 20, 2012 7:41 AM (in response to tywebb)
    Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

    Hi there, I have today done exactly this, so let me share my experience. I have been very happy with my JTV59 (after 14 months wait for delivery in UK!) and had set up the guitar to get intonation accurate at the 12th fret. That was fine, good action, no fret buzz and great sounds of course. However the intonation around the 2/3/4 frets especially on the A,D and G string was appalling, and made certain chord shapes almost unusable.

     

    After researching the issue, and reading good things about Earvana, I went to their site. There you can find a diagram that exactly expresses the problem. I thought about buying one and doing it myself and asked them which model would fit a JTV59 best. They replied 'an ESP 42mm shelf nut'. Next stop was YouTube to see demos of people fitting them. Looked a bit risky for me but happily one video was by a luthier who has his workshop only about 40 minutes away <http://www.felineguitars.com/> in Croydon. So I rang up and booked it in - really good and helpful people, with a fantastic range of hand-built custom guitars, as well as repairs and modifications.

     

    Not cheap, but definitely worth it. They took a good hour to fit the Earvana nut properly - they recommended the 43mm version, the 42mm would have been noticeable narrower. Then they did a full set-up, restringing and readjusting the intonation.

     

    Result: the intonation is just about perfect now, it's not clear to me why these nuts work, but they seem to. I am very glad I had the job done professionally, and now, no more excuses for not practising more...

    • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
      silverhead
      8,080 posts since
      Apr 1, 2009
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      Jan 20, 2012 1:02 PM (in response to iainpwboyd)
      Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

      Thanks for this. I had the same result with the Earvana on my Varix 300. A really noticeable improvement in consistent intonation at both ends of the fretboard. No more trading off one end against the other, or seeking a compromise where both ends were a little off.

    • lindsayward Just Startin'
      lindsayward
      108 posts since
      Mar 7, 2007
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      Jan 26, 2012 8:39 PM (in response to iainpwboyd)
      Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

      Hi (Iain?), thanks for the detail.

      I could not find a 43mm Earvana nut on their page. Can you provide a link to a page with the actual product you used please?

      Do you have any more feedback on how it is now that you've had it that way for a week or so? Also, I'd love to see a photo or two if you wouldn't mind providing one, thanks!

      My luthier would be a long way from Croydon (Australia), so any tips on installing would be good if you know anything else (e.g. if it's not just a drop-in replacement).

       

      Edit: Is it this one? http://www.earvana.com/Gibson_dropin.htm - there's a 1-11/16" version, which is the same size as the 59 nut according to the web site.

      • iainpwboyd Just Startin'
        iainpwboyd
        53 posts since
        Jan 31, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 27, 2012 3:23 AM (in response to lindsayward)
        Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

        Yes, I think it must be. 43mm translates to 1.69 in. which is closest to 1 11/16ths. Confusingly on that page, they refer to it as 1.689 at the top, then 1.738 in the ordering drop-down. In any case, the guys I went to (Feline Guitars) simply had both in stock and the larger one was clearly a better fit for a JTV'59. Even that one is maybe 0.5 narrower than the original Line6 nut, but that actually helps in not pulling the high E off the fretboard (anyone else had that?)

         

        I didn't watch them do it, but I know there was an amount of trimming of the nut to have it fit properly - which is why I didn't take on the job myself. They didn't have to modify the guitar at all as far as I  am aware, so the old nut could be put back. As they say on the Earvana page: "You may have to file down the bottom of the nut to match your necks radius."

         

        Search YouTube for 'Earvana Feline' and you will see the videos I referred to.

         

        I went for ivory, which looks more grubby and textured in real life than the Earvana photos - it's certainly not 'bright white'.

         

        Very happy with it. Intonation is probably 90% better than it was. Hope that helps.

  • jealousblues Just Startin'
    jealousblues
    77 posts since
    Feb 11, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 9, 2012 11:39 AM (in response to tywebb)
    Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

    Ive been wondering about this.

     

    I had heard (who knows how true) that it can make you sound out of tune if you play with another guitar that doesnt have one (but who would notice in the audiance?)

     

    I never play with another guitar and having played with a live bass much at all lately (lots of keyboard and midi) so im thinking this would be interesting.  Though playing now it doesnt really annoy me or anything.

    Keep me posted on how you like it.

    • leewhit6 Just Startin'
      leewhit6
      43 posts since
      Dec 9, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 9, 2012 4:52 PM (in response to jealousblues)
      Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

      I have not put the Earvanu nut on my JTV-59 but, I have had one put on a Tele and ordered a replacement Strat neck that had one on it. They do help with intonation issues. It is very helpful.

       

      What I did not like was the angle that the strings came across the nut. It was never just right and strings trees had to be added. Having your luthier install a bone shelf nut, in my opinion, will serve you better. It will cost more but, if you are picky enough to notice intonation issues, you will most likely be picky enough to notice the tone difference in plastic and bone. The bone nut gave me a more solid sound.  YMMV  

  • tywebb Just Startin'
    tywebb
    32 posts since
    Feb 5, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 17, 2012 3:58 AM (in response to tywebb)
    Re: Earvana nut on a 59?

    Hey lindsayward and all,

     

    Just dropping in to confirm.  I had the Earvana installed on my 59 last month and it makes a huge difference in the instrument.  As previously stated, my axe was so completely out of tune for open chords/d,g,b strings in the first 3 frets that it was unplayable unless tuned specifically to compensate.  Specifically, I had emailed Earvana and the response from Rick (Richard?) was to use the Gibson style 1-11/16" drop-in shelf nut.  Scored one on Ebay for $24 and my luthier installed for $35.  Absolutley worth every penny as this guitar now plays in tune beautifully with itself!!

     

    Here's a photo and cheers!

     

    Variax + Earvana nut closeup.jpg

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