Stewart-MacDonaldEverything for building and repairing stringed instruments!
Your order cart Your order | Account | Saved list
Sign in
Email
800-848-2273, 9AM-6PM EST, M-F
Home Free catalog Quick order International Customer service

Home : Tools : Measuring tools : String Spacing Rule

String Spacing Rule


Read 101 Reviews   |   Write a Review

Get accurate spacing without calipers, calculators or shop rulers. Our laser-etched stainless steel String Spacing Rule quickly finds the right spacing for just about any stringed instrument.

It does all the math for you: proportional slot spacing automatically compensates for string diameters, from treble to bass, so the thicker strings won't seem crowded to the player.

See details below

Email a friend
String Spacing Rule

Play video

 
Item# Description In stock Price Quantity
0673 String Spacing Rule Yes
$20.95


Selected currency  
 
 









 Processing...






Related items

Slotted Unbleached Bone Nut



Nut Slotting Gauge



Gauged Nut Slotting Files



Double-edge Nut Files



Nut Seating Files



Slotted Unbleached Bone Nut
Nut Slotting Gauge
Gauged Nut Slotting Files
Double-edge Nut Files
Nut Seating Files



Details
 Pictures
 Video
Articles
Instructions
The problem is: if you space the strings equally, they don't feel equally spaced. The thicker bass strings seem crowded together. Each gap between strings has to be slightly different to feel right to the player. How do you calculate this? The String Spacing Rule takes care of it, for guitars, basses, mandolins, and banjos.

Fast. The String Spacing Rule is slotted so you can quickly mark the string positions onto the nut. Use a scribe instead of a pencil, and it creates extremely accurate starter grooves for your nut slotting files.

Easy to use. Mark the two outer string positions onto the nut. Slide the rule over the nut to find a set of slots that matches your two marks. Now just scribe or pencil the string positions onto the nut! No measuring, dividing or calculating — the rule does the math for you.



Accurate. The rule's slots are laser-cut in a continuous scale that wraps around both edges of the rule (our thanks to luthier Kevin Ryan for creating this tool). Proportional slot spacing subtly compensates for the diameters of the individual strings, from treble to bass, to give the right feel and playability.

Not just for nut slotting. You can use the String Spacing Rule to notch Tune-o-matic bridge saddles, to lay out bridge pin holes, and when notching archtop guitar, banjo, mandolin and violin bridges.

The String Spacing Rule is made of laser-etched flexible stainless steel that conforms to flat or arched surfaces. Instructions are included.

The String Spacing Rule is included in the Essential Nut Making Tool Kit, which has all the basic tools you'll need for shaping, string-spacing, slotting and fitting string nuts like a pro.

Using the String Spacing Rule for guitars and mandolins
Getting the best string spacing on guitars, mandolins... everything!
Using the String Spacing Rule for guitars and mandolins Read more

In this issue:
Erick Coleman uses Kevin Ryan's proportional string spacing rule for more jobs than Kevin ever expected: 12-strings, mandolins, bridge saddles... Plus: an explanation of the difference between equal spacing and proportional spacing.
Read more...

Subscribe now
/\ Top of product page
 Ratings and reviews
String Spacing Rule
String Spacing Rule
 
5 out of 5 stars
Based on 101 ratings Write a Review
Sort reviews by
Displaying 11 – 20 < 1  2  3  ...  11 >
5 10-28-2012
Very Clever

This is a fantastic tool; simple and easy to use. Much better than dividers and math and callipers. All that silliness is done for you. Put it on your Christmas list you need it!

Arthur Jackson  USA
5 10-23-2012
Makin life easy

Used the string spacing rule for all nuts that i've made. It sure makes getting the string spacing right easy. Excellent product!

Derwyn  Alberta. Canada Read my reviews (2)
Customer supplied image for review
5 10-07-2012
This is so simple and a time saver too

Love it, saves time and is simple to use.

GavinB  Perth, Australia Read my reviews (27)
5 10-05-2012
Gotta have

If you do nut replacement on various instruments Fiddles, Guitars and Mandolins, you gotta have one, cuts down on time and is accurate..

Tmc  Trinity Ala Read my reviews (4)
5 9-27-2012
Tudo de bom

Agora não quebro mais a cabeça fazendo cálculos matemáticos!

Rodrigo Gomes  Brazil Read my reviews (44)
Customer supplied image for review
5 9-14-2012
Very easy to use

Following the online directions, I made a perfectly-spaced nut the very first time I used the rule--which was a good thing, considering the price of the blank! This tool allows you to quickly and easily customize string spacing to suit your individual playing style. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

LoveThoseSixStrings  Indiana
5 9-14-2012
Great easy product

This is a great tool, saves time and money as well as fristration.

Great product  Kihei, hawaii Read my reviews (2)
5 9-10-2012
Amazing rules

do you want a perfect job? a great nut then you must get one you won´t be sorry after , you will know exacly and fast where the string should be positions, " if you want work as PRO you need get a PRO tools!

Ivan Souza  England Read my reviews (25)
5 8-29-2012
Great

Takes the guesswork out.

sgregoryjones  Australia Read my reviews (5)
5 8-28-2012
The Rule that rules.

Ooh it's very well manufactured.
Why take a chance and ruin an almost completed nut when this little beauty eliminates that chance..?! I wish i had bought one years ago..

Tom O'  Jersey. C.I. British Isles. Read my reviews (4)
Displaying 11 – 20 < 1  2  3  ...  11 > /\ Top of Reviews


Shown on page 19 of our latest catalog.
Select your items, then click ADD to order

To add items to your order, select the check box next to the item you want. You can edit the quantity you wish to purchase here, or in Your Order.

Select your items, then click Save for later

To add items to your saved list, select the check boxes next to the items you want. You can edit the quantity you wish to save here, or in your Saved List.


Toll-free order line:   800-848-2273   9am-6pm Eastern Time, M-F



Your order | Your account | Trade Secrets E-mail Newsletter
Home | Free catalog | Catalog Quick Order | International | Customer service
Our guarantee | Shipping | Security & Privacy | Contact us
Site map | About Us | Employment
© Copyright 2013 Stewart-MacDonald
Your shopping is secure with VeriSign! Trusted Commerce