The Graph Tech Trem-Nut goes great with locking tuners for bind-free super-stable tuning. Resonant base material provides good tone transfer.
Black TUSQ XL F.A.Q
What is Black TUSQ XL?
Black TUSQ XL is a proprietary material which is precision engineered under high pressure and heat. It is impregnated with Teflon throughout so it reduces the friction between the nut material and the string. 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 Black TUSQ XL is made, it is a consistent material that is rich in tone and harmonic content.
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 Black TUSQ XL is impregnated with Teflon; 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. Black TUSQ XL also has more of a midrange boost as compared to TUSQ.
Will the Teflon wear off the nut?
Teflon is impregnated throughout our nuts, so its lubricating properties will never wear out.
What if the strings start to dig into the slots?
If you're experiencing any kind of binding, you can easily fold a piece of 200 Grit sand paper and sand the notch off. Again, being a consistent material you can file/sand the nut/saddle and you will still be working with the same quality material.
How is Black TUSQ XL different than any other material (bone, micarta, and corian) used in saddles in nuts?
Black TUSQ XL is a very resonant material. This resonance alone will give you a very full and deep sound that will amplify your tone to a whole new level. Secondly, it's a consistent material, allowing every note you play to sound just as clear and full as the next. In comparison, bone has natural grains which cause dead spots. These dead spots damp balance in tone and harmonic content. Micarta is made partially from linen and paper scraps which makes it hard to work with while corian is nice to work with but also damps sound.
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. The material is easy to shape so if it's a little longer or higher, so it's no big deal to work it down a little.
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.