Compensated nut meets fretboard question

[colin north]

Hi Trevor,

Just had a few days looking over the books.
It's a great read - Worth every penny.
A quick one - from reading the build book, it appears the nut's ledge (half way up its face) after compensation is flat where it meet the (radiused) fingerboard.
I just wondered how you treat this meeting point? Presumably you don't just leave a sharp edge sticking up.
I had 3 reads through last night and couldn't see anything in the text or from the pictures.
Hope the question makes sense!

[Trevor Gore]

Hi Colin,

I usually set the outer edges of the nut's compensation ledge about flush with the outer edges of the fretboard, so that from most angles you don't actually notice that in the centre of a curved fretboard the ledge is below the level of the fretboard. Fig 21.24 probably gives the clearest indication. It's not something that "jumps out" at you, as you've already seen from the pics. I usually have to point out the compensated nut to new customers!

If this doesn't make sense, I misinterpreted your post. If that's the case, have another shot at the question and I'll have another shot at the answer!

[colin north]

That's a clear answer to my question - thanks!