Guitar Nut Compensation: The Physics and Mechanics of Setting Up a Guitar to Play in Tune

Every serious guitar player searches for two important things: a guitar that plays in tune and the magic tone. With countless videos and websites dedicated to these facets, it’s information overload-not to mention the complicated math formulas and convoluted instructions out there. What method actually works? Which will produce the best sound? Guitar Nut Compensation: The Physics and Mechanics of Setting Up a Guitar to Play in Tune is a handbook on how to properly tune a guitar using a lesser known method: a compensating nut.

Author Dennis Hook knows from decades of experience how one misstep in setting up a guitar can change everything. Most manufacturers and technicians will only adjust the intonation on a guitar’s bridge, and then players wonder why their instruments fall so quickly out of tune. This howto guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions and practical advice for novices and experts alike. It details the foundations of using a compensating nut and addresses how crucial it is to playability, and tuning stability.

Guitar Nut Compensation shows that buying a well-known, high-end guitar isn’t enough to guarantee a proper setup. Nothing compares with learning how to do it yourself. Using the nut compensation method, guitars will play in tune over the whole fretboard, including the open chords.