Installing An LSR Roller Nut On A Strat?

[Chris]

Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it. Thoughts?
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).

Thanks
Chris

[Sheldon]

Before I'd upgrade(?) to a roller nut, I'd try to figure out where the
problem is on your guitar. Think about it: The roller nut was supposed to
resolve all kinds of problems, but isn't used much on new guitars anymore,
if at all. They also have their own problems, and limit the gauge strings
you can use.

It would be a real bummer to go through all the hassle of installing a
roller nut only to find the problem is back at the trem, or a nut that isn't
quite right.

Sheldon

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

[Chris]

Thanks, Sheldon, for both replies.

I have to believe it is the nut since I have installed locking tuners. It
is a deluxe tremolo with only two pivot points and there does not seem to be
any audible 'cathing' when using the bar. As far as the nut goes, there
seems to be quite a bit of relief between the string and the nut grooves,
and I have even used graphite powder, etc., but it still tends to go out of
tune with use of the bar. I'm not trying to do severe dive bombs or
anything like that; just use only the lines of early surf type tunes, Chris
Isaak, etc., Thoughts?

Chris

Post by Sheldon
Before I'd upgrade(?) to a roller nut, I'd try to figure out where the
problem is on your guitar. Think about it: The roller nut was supposed to
resolve all kinds of problems, but isn't used much on new guitars anymore,
if at all. They also have their own problems, and limit the gauge strings
you can use.
It would be a real bummer to go through all the hassle of installing a
roller nut only to find the problem is back at the trem, or a nut that isn't
quite right.
Sheldon

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

[Eddy]

Post by Chris
Thanks, Sheldon, for both replies.
I have to believe it is the nut since I have installed locking tuners. It
is a deluxe tremolo with only two pivot points and there does not seem to be
any audible 'cathing' when using the bar. As far as the nut goes, there
seems to be quite a bit of relief between the string and the nut grooves,
and I have even used graphite powder, etc., but it still tends to go out of
tune with use of the bar. I'm not trying to do severe dive bombs or
anything like that; just use only the lines of early surf type tunes, Chris
Isaak, etc., Thoughts?
Chris

How deep are the nut slots?, you really only want enough of the string in
the nut to hold it in place and not pop out when bending, if the nut is cut
too low, it can grab the string, and cause the problems you have, if you are
a DIYer, tape the space behind the nut and the fingerboard in front of the
nut, with a few layers of low tack masking tape, and using a file, take the
top of the nut down a little not to too far, you do not want the strings
popping out of the nut when you bend them, also have you checked the saddles
is there anywhere it could grab the strings there?, also if you have two
string trees try taking the D and G strings from under there tree, also if
you do not mind having no upward pitch raising with the trem, try adjusting
your claw, found in the back cavity of the guitar, so the trem rests on the
body of the guitar, you might not think it, but this can help a hell of a
lot, also it allows you do string bend while letting open strings ring
without a pitch change.

Eddy

[Steve2000indeja]

Post by Chris
Thanks, Sheldon, for both replies.
I have to believe it is the nut since I have installed locking tuners. It
is a deluxe tremolo with only two pivot points and there does not seem to be
any audible 'cathing' when using the bar. As far as the nut goes, there
seems to be quite a bit of relief between the string and the nut grooves,
and I have even used graphite powder, etc., but it still tends to go out of
tune with use of the bar. I'm not trying to do severe dive bombs or
anything like that; just use only the lines of early surf type tunes, Chris
Isaak, etc., Thoughts?
Chris

I have a Wilkinson roller nut and locking tuners on my 87 strat plus. I bought
this guitar new and have never had any problems with it. My trem usage is
similar to what you want to do. The craziest I get is Beck type stuff, tho I
don't do it as often as he does (or as well:) I thought the wilkinson/locking
tuners were the cat's pajamas for the 9 years this guitar was my main strat.

This being said, my current #1 strat style instrument is a G+L Legacy Special
with locking tuners and a standard nut. I have no problems with this instrument
either, thought the trem system by it's design has a different feel and a
slightly different sound ..

Usually 009s, sometimes 010s on these guitars. I'm no techy. Both just work
-very well- like they're supposed to.

Steve

[Ian Minogue-Corps]

How many springs do you have in the trem cavity too
Ian

[DJ]

You might want to try replacing the standard nut with a graphite one
first. I bought one that already had the slots cut for my MIM strat
to solve the same problem. Cost me about $8 and took about 10 minutes
to install. Strings stay in tune really well now (no hardcore dive
bombs) and all the other hardware is stock.

Post by Chris

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

[Chris]

Was it the Graph Tech nut, pre-slotted?

Also, to remove the old nut, did you just tap on the side of it to knock it
out of the slot?

Thanks
Chris

Post by DJ
You might want to try replacing the standard nut with a graphite one
first. I bought one that already had the slots cut for my MIM strat
to solve the same problem. Cost me about $8 and took about 10 minutes
to install. Strings stay in tune really well now (no hardcore dive
bombs) and all the other hardware is stock.

Post by Chris

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

[DJ]

I don't remember what kind it was, I bought it at a local shop. It was
pre-slotted. Yes, I just tapped the old nut out from the side and
then tapped the new one in.

I did have to sand off a small alignment tab from the bottom of the
graphite nut as my strat's neck nut slot did not have a groove to
accommodate it.

Daron

Post by Chris
Was it the Graph Tech nut, pre-slotted?
Also, to remove the old nut, did you just tap on the side of it to knock it
out of the slot?
Thanks
Chris

Post by DJ
You might want to try replacing the standard nut with a graphite one
first. I bought one that already had the slots cut for my MIM strat
to solve the same problem. Cost me about $8 and took about 10 minutes
to install. Strings stay in tune really well now (no hardcore dive
bombs) and all the other hardware is stock.

Post by Chris

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount

of

Post by DJ

Post by Chris

Post by Chris
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but

it

Post by DJ

Post by Chris

Post by Chris
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

[divebomb]

I had this done professionally on my '96 Lonestar Strat. If you use the
trem, it's a medicore upgrade. If you're looking for brighter tone on open
strings, it's worth it. I only regret that my strat isn't original. Other
than that, it's a decent upgrade. And yes, a significant amount of the
rosewood or maple has to be filed out. Personally, I'd advise against it.
I had it done by a pro and it still doesn't look 100% stock.

Trems and Strats are an oxymoron (unless you go with a Floyd Rose), so I
don't bother using it. In fact when I ordered my 2nd Strat I made sure it
was a hardtail.

Good luck.

Post by Sheldon
Before I'd upgrade(?) to a roller nut, I'd try to figure out where the
problem is on your guitar. Think about it: The roller nut was supposed to
resolve all kinds of problems, but isn't used much on new guitars anymore,
if at all. They also have their own problems, and limit the gauge strings
you can use.
It would be a real bummer to go through all the hassle of installing a
roller nut only to find the problem is back at the trem, or a nut that isn't
quite right.
Sheldon

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

[Mich (at work)]

Post by Chris
Anyone done this themselves? My understanding is that a small amount of
fretboard has to be removed (toward the 1st fret) to install it.

Thoughts?

Post by Chris
I like to use the tremolo arm a small amount for vibrato at times but it
goes out of tune (even with locking tuners and using graphite on the
standard nut).
Thanks
Chris

Chris,

If I were you I wouldn't go for the roller nut.
It prevents individual string height adjustment at the nut.

I've just sold a strat plus for this reason. Just couldn't get the set-up
right.

I did think about taking the roller off and fitting a graphite nut, but this
would leave a gap.
It didn't seem to be a problem for it's new owner, so everyone's happy.

Just my opinion

M.

--
Michael Peel

***@NOSPAMtheloudhouse.co.uk

[Ian Minogue-Corps]

One comment ..Van Halen 1 not all the whammy trickery was a Floyd !!!!! a
standard strat trem with simple mods
1, the 4 inner of the 6 trem screws raise by 2 turns , stops binding
2, throw away the string trees but wind strings on properly
3, drill out the holes for the ball ends, @ 5mm deeper, careful on this as
some blocks are very crappy Mazak and that powders and disintegrates after
a while.
4, increase the neck angle , this allows you to set the trem at a higher
angle allowing more "pull up"
5.cut the nut NOT in a V as a lot of strats come with , invest in a glass
cutting saw from Lab suppliers . I find that easier to use than nut files

I have carried out these mods on most of my strats except my ESP , where I
went the route of a
Wilkinson Trem and Sperzels, lovely buttery smooth trem action , no tuning
problems at all , esp when you remember to stretch the strings (tune 2 steps
up for a hour or so ) this also has the benefit of pulling the neck back
into true after you have changed strings,,,esp you naughty ppl who take them
off in one go !!!!!!
tsk tsk
anyway have fun and tinker away , thats the beauty of a Strat :-)
Ian