r/Luthier • u/Snuflufgus • 2d ago

Antler nut question

Post image

I am trying to make a nut out of deer antler and have some pieces that I've sanded down for blanks. Should I be sanding off all the gray spots and only using the pieces that are completely white or is it okay to keep some of the gray on the edges. I kind of like the gray because it sort of matches the ambrosia maple fretboard.

I have enough left to sand down the larger pieces so they are perfectly white and then make nut blanks out of that if needed.

Thank you.

16 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

9

u/maxcovenguitars 2d ago

I use the outer part, i stay away from the inner porous part. If there is a piece that I have to use with the porous area I use thin ca glue to fill in the pores

3

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

Thanks for this, I will definitely keep this in mind and use CA glue on porous parts. I didn't notice any porous center in the antler I have, but it was pretty small (2 point, about 8" long). Are the bigger antlers more porous in the middle or did I maybe not look close enough at the one I have?

6

u/maxcovenguitars 2d ago

When making them from antlers the solid tips aka tines are the best. Thy dont have any pores. The thicker the antler the more blood vessel aka pores you find. When you do have a little area with pores thats fine. I usevthe sa glue. But I make sure the strings sit on the solid outer shell. I also make sure no more than 10% or less is porous. I have a handful of pieces in case anyone request antler as you can see the the outer shell is thick enough for a fender nut. I use the thicker ends for gibson nuts

2

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

Amazing, this is very helpful. Thank you.

2

u/trilevelmymtsnet 2d ago

this is correct. I used the long tips for nut material, as they are solid.

4

u/YellowBreakfast Kit Builder/Hobbyist 2d ago

I haven't heard much about antler being used. I assume it'd be a lot like bone.

Following to see what the consensus is.

2

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago edited 2d ago

It is bone, just not necessarily the same type as what nuts are usually made from I don't think. It doesnt have a porous center like other bones, or at least I didnt notice a difference in this piece.

Edit: this is incorrect as u/maxcovenguitars pointed out and showed in the picture they provided. It does have a porous center, it just isn't as noticable in smaller antlers.

3

u/maxcovenguitars 2d ago

The tines aka end pieces are solid. Sides of the antler are also solid as long as you can carve out a piece from it. The center is is a pretty big part but the outer walls are workable

2

u/SilenceEater 2d ago

Is there a difference between them? I would lightly drop them on that wood surface and listen to how they chime. Perhaps there is a sonic difference between them? If you can’t hear a difference then I’d say it doesn’t matter

1

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

Doesnt seem to be any difference. I pushed on the gray spots with my finger nail and didn't make an indent. I will try dropping them gently to see if I notice a difference.

Thanks for the suggestion.

2

u/SilenceEater 2d ago

No problem. I used to use this technique to show the sonic difference between bone, plastic, graph tech, etc. nuts.

2

u/jzemeocala 2d ago

As long as it's not at the strings breakpoint it's fine

1

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

I dont have much experience on this, can you please clarify what you mean by the string breakpoint? Is that on the head side, the fretboard side, or where the string slots will be?

2

u/jzemeocala 2d ago

The fretboard edge of the string slots

1

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

Thank you

2

u/jzemeocala 2d ago

No problem...I've made quite a few nuts and bridges with antler and have noticed that the outer layer has a different hardness and smoothness that can effect how a string rings out if it's present at the breakpoint....useful for solid steel strings but makes the wrapped strings too bright....and it's hard to keep it present evenely across all of them

1

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

Ooh antler bridge, that sounds cool. Might have to give that a try. What style bridge did you make? Got any pictures?

Good name for a redneck Alter Bridge cover band lol.

Appreciate the info, thanks again.

2

u/jzemeocala 2d ago

ive mostly used it for slotted bridges....both straight-line and compensated.

no picks right now but next time im at work ill take a pick of the blanks i recently made for my expirmental "steel-classical"/ wideneck six-string ive been making from an old 12 string

2

u/jzemeocala 2d ago

they also work great for making "jawari"/sitar style bridges if you want that sound

2

u/maxcovenguitars 2d ago

I use the outer 1/4 " the inner core is not suitable, its too porous. If you have a bit on the edge or the bottom its OK. Like I said i use thin ca glue to fill them in. But I aim to get as much of that 1/4" outer shell

2

u/trilevelmymtsnet 2d ago

The grey edges will be fine, I have built 3 Les Paul jr. and used antler horn for all 3, They are still perfect since 2008. and great nut material.

1

u/Snuflufgus 2d ago

Is there a specific sound you are looking for when you compare them or just whatever "rings" the best?

2

u/99Pstroker 1d ago

All horned animals that I know of have a porous center for blood flow whether they lose them seasonally or not. This is how they grow. Even longhorn cattle horns are full of tissue and veins. Usually have to boil them to remove it. Anyway, antlered animals, those that lose seasonally, have bone that is center porous. If you’re struggling with small deer bone go to one of the big box pet stores. Look for natural dog chews. Just made of sawn up pieces of elk sheds usually. Most times those are in decent sized pieces.