A collegue of mine is rebuilding a double manual instrument (original 
builder will remain anonymous.)  I've heard that sometimes the nut is 
tapered from bass to treble, and this is an extreme case.  Can someone 
explain the theory behind tapering the nut?  It seems to me that this 
serves no purpose.  Of course, there is very good accoustical reason to 
taper the bridge, but the nut?  The only effect I can see is to cause 
problems.  Setting up new jacks must be a nightmare.  The distance from 
the plectrum to the top of the jack will be different for each note 
unless the jack rail is tapered to match.  Key dip would be difficult to 
get consistent, stagger will be hard to get uniform.  All for no 
particular advantage that I can see.  What am I missing?
Norm Purdy

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