Abstract:
Devices, apparatus, and methods of using a replaceable nut with built on fret for a stringed instruments, such as for guitars and banjos. The novel combined zero glide nut with fret can be used as a zero glide nut system that can be substituted for the existing standard nuts on stringed instruments. The novel combined zero glide nut with fret eliminates the need for filing and adjusting the slots on the nuts, since strings do not harshly rub against inner sides and do not rub against the bottom of the slots in the nut. Compared to a conventional nut, the zero glide improves tuning stability, playability without string buzz on the fret, does not wear slots as occurs in a conventional nut and is more easily installed than a conventional nut.

Description:
This invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/507,395 filed Jul. 13, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to stringed instruments, in particular to devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of using and installing a replaceable zero glide nut with built on fret for stringed instruments, such as a guitar and banjo. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Guitar necks usually have a plurality of spaced apart frets on the guitar neck and a fixed guitar nut. The nut has a plurality of grooves to allow for strings to sit therein. Frets are the raised portions on the neck of stringed instruments that generally extends across the full width of the neck. Most often the frets are metal strips inserted into the fingerboards on the neck. Frets are generally used to divide the neck into fixed segments at intervals related to a musical framework. On instruments such as guitar, each fret can represents one semitone where one octave is divided into twelve semitones. 
     The nut of a stringed instrument is a small piece of hard material which supports the strings at the end closest to the headstock. The nut marks one end of the speaking length of each open string, sets the spacing of the strings across the neck, and usually holds the strings at the proper height from the fingerboard. Along with the bridge the nut defines the vibrating lengths (scale lengths) of the open strings. The nut can be made of ebony, ivory, cow bone, brass, Corian or plastic, and is usually notched or grooved for the strings. The grooves are designed to lead the string from the bridge to the headstock so separate the strings and to provide a proper break angle for correct string vibration. 
     Most prior art stringed instruments, such as guitars have a single nut, and then have a plurality of frets, the first of which is spaced apart from the nut. The single nut can only be replaced with another single nut. To make a proper nut requires that each string notch be carefully cut to the proper depth so that the string is neither too high, affecting overall string height and intonation of fretted notes, nor too low which causes a plucked or picked string to buzz against the frets. 
     Some guitars and mandolins have nuts that are just string spacers, with deep notches. These instruments use a zero fret, which is a fret at the beginning of the scale where a normal nut would be, which is higher than the other frets to provide the correct string clearance. The zero fret is often found on cheaper instruments, as it&#39;s much easier to set up an instrument this way. With a zero fret, the fret merely needs to be the right height. However, a zero fret also makes the sound of the open string very similar to the fretted note, where the nut itself, being made of a different material, has a different timbre if it is used instead of a zero fret. Zero frets are fixed into the neck and are not easily removable. 
     The prior art has problems with tuning and sound quality when just using nuts since the strings may have friction by resting on the inner sides and bottom of the nut slots. There is no easy way of tuning the slots on the nuts when used by themselves. 
     None of the prior art allows for a combined nut with fret that can be used to replace a single nut on the stringed instrument. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret that can be used as a replaceable nut for stringed instruments such as guitars and banjos. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret on stringed instruments where there is no adjustment necessary for the nut slots. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret on stringed instruments, so that when strings vibrate instead of coming off the nut, it will vibrate off the metal fret increasing sound quality. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret on stringed instruments, so that for tuning, there is less friction on the inner side of the nut slots. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret on stringed instruments, so that the slots are deep enough so that the bottom of the slots is spaced under the stings, where the bottom of the slots does not rub against the strings. 
     A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret on stringed instruments, which reduce nut friction by up to 93% increasing tuning stability, playability and open string tone. 
     A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a combined nut with fret on stringed instruments, which can be installed in minutes with no permanent alteration to the stringed instrument. 
     A zero glide nut system for stringed instruments, can include the combination of a zero glide nut having a front and a back, and a fret installed on the front of the nut, wherein the combined nut with installed nut, can be used to replace a standard nut on a stringed instrument. 
     The stringed instrument can be a guitar. The stringed instrument can be a banjo. 
     The zero glide nut can include a generally convex curved upper front edge. The zero glide nut can include a plurality of spaced apart string slots along a top of the nut. 
     The zero glide nut can include a indentation in an upper front edge of the nut, wherein the fret is installed into the indentation in the upper front edge of the nut. The indentation can include a two step cut-out in the upper front edge of the nut. 
     The zero glide nut system can include an adhesive for permanently mounting the fret to the nut. 
     A novel method of replacing a nut on a stringed instrument with a zero glide nut, can include the steps of providing a stringed instrument with a neck having a standard installed nut, and a plurality of frets, each of which is spaced apart from the nut, providing a zero glide nut with an installed fret, and replacing the standard installed nut on the stringed instrument with the zero glide nut with installed fret. 
     The zero glide nut with installed fret can include a generally convex curved upper front edge on the nut. The zero glide nut with installed fret can include a plurality of spaced apart string slots along a top of the nut. 
     The zero glide nut with installed fret can include a indentation in an upper back edge of the nut, wherein the fret is installed into the indentation in the upper back edge of the nut. The indentation can include a two step cut-out in the upper back edge of the nut. 
     The zero glide nut with installed fret can include an adhesive for permanently mounting the fret to the nut. 
     The method of claim  9 , can include providing a guitar as the stringed instrument. The method of claim  9 , can include providing a banjo as the stringed instrument. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a guitar with the zero glide nut installed. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the zero glide nut guitar installation of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the zero glide nut components of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is another exploded view of the zero glide components of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a prior art view of a standard guitar nut installation. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the nut of  FIG. 9  along arrow  12 X. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the standard guitar nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective of the novel zero glide guitar nut used with the guitar of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective of the zero glide guitar nut of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a rear view of the zero glide guitar nut of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the zero glide guitar nut of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the zero glide guitar nut of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide nut of  FIG. 16  along arrow  19 X. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the zero glide guitar nut of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the novel zero glide fret used with the guitar of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the novel zero glide fret of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the zero glide fret of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide fret of  FIG. 22  along arrow  24 X. 
         FIG. 25  is an enlarged perspective view of the zero glide nut and fret installed. 
         FIG. 26 . is a side view of the zero glide guitar nut and fret installation of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a guitar head end view of the zero glide guitar nut and fret installation of  FIG. 26  along arrows  27 X/ 28 X showing string to zero glide fret contact. 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 27  showing string to zero glide fret contact 
         FIG. 29  is an enlarged prior art perspective view of a standard guitar nut installation. 
         FIG. 30  is a side view of the standard guitar nut installation of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  is a guitar head end view of the standard guitar nut installation of  FIG. 30  along arrows  31 X/ 32 X/ 33 X. 
         FIG. 32  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 31  showing string rubbing into a nut slot. 
         FIG. 33  is another enlarged view of  FIG. 31  showing string movement while playing and tuning has worn the nut slot which will result in the string binding in the nut. 
         FIG. 34  is a top perspective view of a banjo with the novel zero glide installed. This installation includes an option feature which hides the ends of the fret tang. 
         FIG. 35  is an enlarged view of the zero glide nut banjo installation of  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 36  is an exploded view of the zero glide nut and fret and banjo of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 37  is another exploded view of zero glide nut and fret and banjo of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is a top perspective prior art view of a banjo with standard nut installed. 
         FIG. 39  is an exploded view of the banjo with standard nut of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  is a side view of the banjo installed zero glide nut and fret of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 41  is an enlarged side view of the installed zero glide nut and fret of  FIG. 40 . The hidden tang can be seen. 
         FIG. 42  is a prior art side view of the standard banjo nut installation of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 43  is a rear perspective view of a standard banjo nut from  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 44  is a front perspective view of the standard banjo nut of  FIG. 43 . 
         FIG. 45  is a rear view of the standard banjo nut of  FIG. 43 . 
         FIG. 46  is a top view of the standard banjo nut of  FIG. 43 . 
         FIG. 47  is a bottom view of the standard banjo nut of  FIG. 43 . 
         FIG. 48  is a side view of the standard banjo nut of  FIG. 43 . 
         FIG. 49  is a front view of the standard banjo nut of  FIG. 43 . 
         FIG. 50  is a rear perspective view of the zero glide banjo nut of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 51  is a front perspective view of the zero glide banjo nut of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 52  is a rear view of the zero glide banjo nut of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 53  is a top view of the zero glide banjo nut of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 54  is a bottom view of the zero glide banjo nut of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide nut of  FIG. 52  along arrow  54 X 
         FIG. 56  is a front view of the zero glide banjo nut of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 57  is a front perspective view of the zero glide banjo fret of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 58  is a top view of the zero glide banjo fret of  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 59  is a front view of the zero glide banjo fret of  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide fret of  FIG. 58  along arrow  60 X. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A description of each of the components will now be described.
       10  Guitar.     20  Guitar neck.     21 . Guitar neck edge adjacent to cut out  120 .     30  Guitar head.     40  Guitar string.     50  Zero Glide nut for guitar.     60  Zero Glide fret for guitar.     70  String slot in guitar nut.     80  Guitar fret.     90  Guitar tuner.     100  String motion resulting from tuner rotation.     110  Standard guitar nut.     120  Nut slot cut out of guitar neck.     130  Guitar fingerboard.     140  Relief cut on Zero Glide guitar nut for Zero Glide fret head clearance.     150  Relief cut on Zero Glide guitar nut for Zero Glide fret tang clearance.     160  Fret head on Zero Glide guitar fret.     170  Fret tang on Zero Glide guitar fret.     180  Standard guitar nut string slot wears as a result of string motion imparted when tuning and   playing.     190  Contact point between Zero Glide fret and string.     200  Worn string slot binds string.     210  Banjo.     220  Banjo neck.     221  Banjo neck edge adjacent to cut out  310       230  Banjo head.     240  Banjo string.     250  Banjo tuner.     260  Standard banjo nut.     270  Zero Glide banjo nut.     280  Zero Glide banjo fret.     290  Banjo fingerboard.     300  Banjo string slot in nut.     310  Nut slot cut out of banjo neck.     320  Relief nut on Zero Glide banjo nut to clear Zero Glide fret head.     330  Blind relief cut on Zero Glide banjo nut to clear fret tang and hide ends of tang.     340  Zero Glide banjo fret head.     350  Zero Glide Banjo fret tang.     360  Zero Glide fret tang cut back from ends to conceal in blind nut relief.     370  Bottom of Zero Glide string slot.
 
Guitar Installation
   

       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a guitar  10  with the zero glide nut and fret installed on the neck  20 .  FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the zero glide nut and fret installation of  FIG. 1 , with the zero glide nut  50  and fret  60  installed on the guitar neck  20  near the guitar head  30 .  FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the zero glide nut  50  and fret  60  components of  FIG. 2  separated from the guitar  10 .  FIG. 4  is another exploded view of the zero glide nut  50  and fret  60  components of  FIG. 2  separated from the guitar  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the novel zero glide nut  50  and fret  60  can be mounted in the nut slot cut out  120  of the guitar neck  20 . The novel zero glide nut  50  and fret  60  components allow for the guitar string  40  (controlled over guitar fingerboard  130 ) to slide in and out of the string slot  70 , where the string  40  can ride on guitar fret(s)  80 . The guitar head  30  can have a rotatable tuner control  90  to adjust  100  string motion. 
       FIG. 5  is a prior art view of a standard guitar nut  110  with slots  70  installed in a nut slot cut out  120  of a guitar neck  20 .  FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the standard guitar nut  110  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the standard guitar nut  110  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the standard guitar nut  110  with slot(s)  70  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 9  is a rear view of the standard guitar nut  110  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 10  is a top view of the standard guitar nut  110  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the standard guitar nut  110  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the nut  110  of  FIG. 9  along arrow  12 X.  FIG. 13  is a front view of the standard guitar nut  110  of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 14  is a rear perspective of the novel zero glide guitar nut  50  used with the guitar of  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 15  is a front perspective of the zero glide guitar nut  50  of  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 16  is a rear view of the zero glide guitar nut  50  of  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 17  is a top view of the zero glide guitar nut  50  of  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the zero glide guitar nut  50  of  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide nut  50  of  FIG. 16  along arrow  19 X.  FIG. 20  is a front view of the zero glide guitar nut  50  of  FIG. 14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-20 , the novel zero glide nut  50  can be made of materials, such as but not limited to bone, plastic, and the like. Across an upper top edge of the nut can be a plurality of triangular slots  70  each generally equally spaced apart from one another. On the upper edge of the front of the nut  50  can be a convex curved surface. On the back of the nut  50  can be a two step cut-out  140 ,  150 . The cut-out  140 , can be a relief cut on the zero glide nut  50  for zero glide fret head clearance. The cut-out  150  can be a relief cut on the zero glide nut  50  for zero glide fret tang clearance. 
       FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the novel zero glide fret  60  used with the guitar  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 22  is a top view of the novel zero glide fret  60  of  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 23  is a front view of the zero glide fret  60  of  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide fret  60  of  FIG. 22  along arrow  24 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21-24 , the zero glide fret  60  can include a fret head portion  160  having a domed mushroom type shape with a fret tang stem type portion  170 . 
       FIG. 25  is an enlarged perspective view of the zero glide nut  50  and fret  60  installed on the guitar of  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 26 . is a side view of the zero glide guitar nut  50  and fret  60  installation of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 27  is a guitar head end view of the zero glide guitar nut  50  and fret  60  installation of  FIG. 26  along arrows  27 X/ 28 X showing string  40  to zero glide fret  60  contact.  FIG. 28  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 27  showing string  40  to zero glide fret  60  contact. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  and  14 - 26 , the zero glide nut  40  fits into nut slot cut out  120  on the guitar neck  20 , with the fret tang portion  170  sitting on step  150  and one side edge of dome top head  160  sitting on step  140  with the opposite dome head edge  160  sitting on guitar neck edge  21  adjacent to cut out  120 . The width of the novel zero glide nut  40  from front to back does not change since the fret does not extend rearwardly from the back of the zero glide nut  40 . The head  160  of the fret  60  can extend rearwardly from the zero glide nut  40  with installed fret  60 . The fret  60  can be permanently mounted into the two step cut-out  140 ,  150  by adhesive such, as but not limited to glue, cement, and the like. The fret  60  can be formed from a metal material, plastic, and the like. The combined zero glide nut  50  with installed fret  60 , can fit into the same space as a prior art nut  110  on the stringed instrument. Thus, the combined zero glide nut  50  with installed fret  60  can easily replace the existing single nut  110  when desired. 
     The top of dome head  160  of the installed fret  60  allows for the string(s)  40  to be raised from the bottom and side edges of the string slot(s)  70  in the zero  20  glide nut  50  so that no side and button of the slot  370  rubbing of the string(s)  40  occurs. Additionally, the slots  70  are not wearing out which also happens in the prior art. The string(s)  40  contacts a top point  190  of the zero glide fret  60  and not the bottom of the slot(s)  70 . At most the string(s)  40  lightly touch the sides. 
       FIG. 29  is an enlarged prior art perspective view of a standard guitar nut  110  installation in a guitar  10 .  FIG. 30  is a side view of the standard guitar nut  110  installation of  FIG. 29 . The standard guitar nut string slot  70  wears out  180  as a result of string  40  motion imparted when tuning and playing the guitar  10 .  FIG. 31  is a guitar head end view of the standard guitar nut installation of  FIG. 30  along arrows  31 X/ 32 X/ 33 X.  FIG. 32  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 31  showing string  40  rubbing into a nut slot  70 .  FIG. 33  is another enlarged view of  FIG. 31  showing string  40  movement while playing and tuning has worn the nut slot  200  which will result in the string  40  binding in the nut  110 . The constant rubbing against slot  70  wall sides and bottoms effects the play and sound of the guitar  10 . 
     Banjo Installation 
       FIG. 34  is a top perspective view of a banjo  210  with the novel zero glide installed on the banjo neck  220  adjacent to the head  230 . This installation includes an option feature which hides the ends of the fret tang. 
       FIG. 35  is an enlarged view of the zero glide nut banjo installation of  FIG. 34  with novel zero glide nut  270  having string slots  300  and fret  280 .  FIG. 35  shows the banjo head  230  with string(s)  240  controlled by tuner  250 . The string(s)  240  can be supported by zero glide fret(s)  280  and the string(s)  240  controlled by the player on banjo fingerboard  290 .  FIG. 36  is an exploded view of the zero glide nut  270  and fret  280  and banjo  210  of  FIG. 35 .  FIG. 37  is another exploded view of zero glide nut  270  and fret  280  and banjo  210  of  FIG. 36 . 
       FIG. 38  is a top perspective prior art view of a banjo with standard nut  300  installed.  FIG. 39  is an exploded view of the banjo with standard nut  260  with string slot(s)  300  of  FIG. 38  separated from the nut slot cut out  310  of the banjo neck  220 . 
       FIG. 40  is a side view of the banjo installed zero glide nut  270  and fret  280  of  FIG. 35 . Here, the option side wall feature can hide the ends of the fret tang  350 .  FIG. 41  is an enlarged side view of the installed zero glide nut  270  and fret  280  of  FIG. 40 . 
     Similar to the previous embodiment the zero glide nut  270  fits into nut slot cut out  310  on the banjo neck  220 , with the fret tang portion  350  sitting on blind relief cut  330  on zero glide banjo nut  270  to clear fret tang  350  and hide ends of the tang  350 . One side edge of dome (mushroom shaped) top fret head  340  sitting on relief nut step  320  on the zero glide nut  270 . The opposite dome head edge  340  sitting on the banjo neck edge  221  adjacent to cut out  310 . The width of the novel zero glide nut  270  from front to back does not change since the fret  280  does not extend rearwardly from the back of the zero glide nut  270 . The head  340  of the fret  280  can extend rearwardly from the zero glide nut  270  with installed fret  280 . The fret  280  can be permanently mounted into the two step cut-outs by adhesive such, as but not limited to glue, cement, and the like. The fret  280  can be formed from a metal material, plastic, and the like. The combined zero glide nut  270  with installed fret  280 , can fit into the same space as a prior art nut  260  on the stringed instrument. Thus, the combined zero glide nut  270  with installed fret  280  can easily replace the existing single nut  260  when desired. 
       FIG. 42  is a prior art side view of the standard banjo nut  260  installation of  FIG. 38 .  FIG. 43  is a rear perspective view of a standard banjo nut  260  with slot(s)  300  from  FIG. 38 .  FIG. 44  is a front perspective view of the standard banjo nut  260  of  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 45  is a rear view of the standard banjo nut  260  of  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 46  is a top view of the standard banjo nut  260  of  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 47  is a bottom view of the standard banjo nut  260  of  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 48  is a side view of the standard banjo nut  260  of  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 49  is a front view of the standard banjo nut  260  of  FIG. 43 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 42-49 , the prior art banjo nut  260  has similar problems to those described above in the standard guitar nut. 
       FIG. 50  is a rear perspective view of the zero glide banjo nut  270  of  FIG. 35  that is used with the banjo.  FIG. 51  is a front perspective view of the zero glide banjo nut  270  of  FIG. 50 .  FIG. 52  is a rear view of the zero glide banjo nut  270  of  FIG. 50 .  FIG. 53  is a top view of the zero glide banjo nut  270  of  FIG. 50 .  FIG. 54  is a bottom view of the zero glide banjo nut  270  of  FIG. 50 .  FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide nut  270  of  FIG. 52  along arrow  54 X  FIG. 56  is a front view of the zero glide banjo nut  270  of  FIG. 50 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 50-56 , the zero glide banjo nut  270  can include two steps  320 ,  330 . The cut  330  can have closed sides so as to hide ends of the fret tang  350 . 
       FIG. 57  is a front perspective view of the zero glide banjo fret  280  of  FIG. 35 .  FIG. 58  is a top view of the zero glide banjo fret  280  of  FIG. 57 .  FIG. 59  is a front view of the zero glide banjo fret  280  of  FIG. 57 .  FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view of the zero glide fret  280  of  FIG. 58  along arrow  60 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 57-60  the banjo fret  280  can have a dome head (mushroom shaped)  340  and a lower extending tang (stem)  350 , with a zero glide fret tang cut back  360  from ends of the fret  280  to conceal in the blind nut cut out relief  330  previously described. 
     The zero glide nut and fret is easier to install over a conventional nut because the installation on a conventional nut requires expertise to properly adjust the nut slot (such as use a file and an experienced installer to cut it at a proper depth). With the zero glide nut and fret, the slot just needs to be cut before the first step (on the back of the nut), and can by done inexperienced installers. The inexperienced installer only needs to file down to the first step (first ledge) without having to perform detailed measurements. 
     The invention can be sold in kit forms, where for example a combination of a combined nuts with installed frets along with standard nuts, can be used interchangeably on the same stringed instrument when desired and needed. 
     Although the preferred embodiment describes the stringed instrument using the invention is preferably a guitar, the invention can be used with other stringed instruments, such as but not limited to violins, mandolins, and the like. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.