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No, I am definitely not a fan of "string trees"; coming from a mechanical
engineering background, I consider them a "band-aid"! Some of the newer
Stratocasters have increased headstock angles, eliminating the need. Before
switching to the roller nut, I would periodically put a drop of lubricant
(WD-40 or equivalent) in each nut slot, which seemed to help (I never tried
the graphite route, but understand some have had success using that
technique). Are you sure it is the "G" string, because it is typically the
"B" and "E" strings that contact the string tree. Are you using a wound
string for the "G" (if so, get a plain string for that position). Pretty
hard to install the roller nut yourself, unless you have the right equipment
(the slot required for the roller is typically wider than the bone or
graphite nut). The only downside I can think of would be the fact that your
guitar is no longer stock (important to some). Also wanted to mention that
I had disassembled and modified both my MIJ Jazzmaster and Jaguar (both
since sold) trem assemblies to correct the manufacturing defects inherent in
the manufacture. The end result was two guitars that stayed in tune quite
reliably (as compared to the original condition). By the way, thanks for
the nice compliment on "Changing Tides"; we are still planning another album
late this year or early 2003, and will be trying out some new material at
our upcoming gigs this summer.
Best regards, Dana Vincent
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Neal
To:
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 5:11 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Dana's Strat Mods (was Fender N-word)
Dana, these are very interesting modifications. Do you really feel that way
about the string trees? Currently, my Strat "catches" on the G string...when
I am tuning it you get the creaking sound. I am thinking about lubing the
nut or the string tree. Maybe I should remove the string tree? Or are the
string trees not needed after you switched to the roller nut?
BTW, are there any trade-offs with going the roller nut route? Did you
install it yourself?
Personally, for all the bad mouthing the Jag/Jazzmaster gets about its
bridge and trem, I have more trouble keeping my Strat playable.
BTW, I listened to your 2nd CD for the first time in a while, and I got one
of those "This is even better than I remembered it" smiles on my face. Great
job.
Thanks a lot,
BN
Hi Dana,
Thanks for the info. My Strat has 2 string trees for the upper 4 strings. I
just remembered I do have one of Dan Erlewine's books, so I'll have to see
if there is a cure for creaking strings. It may be binding in the nut slot
or at the string tree.
BN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dana and Roberta Vincent [mailto:]
> Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 10:52 PM
> To:
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Strat Mods
>
>
> No, I am definitely not a fan of "string trees"; coming from a mechanical
> engineering background, I consider them a "band-aid"! Some of the newer
> Stratocasters have increased headstock angles, eliminating the
> need. Before
> switching to the roller nut, I would periodically put a drop of lubricant
> (WD-40 or equivalent) in each nut slot, which seemed to help (I
> never tried
> the graphite route, but understand some have had success using that
> technique). Are you sure it is the "G" string, because it is
> typically the
> "B" and "E" strings that contact the string tree. Are you using a wound
> string for the "G" (if so, get a plain string for that position). Pretty
> hard to install the roller nut yourself, unless you have the
> right equipment
> (the slot required for the roller is typically wider than the bone or
> graphite nut). The only downside I can think of would be the
> fact that your
> guitar is no longer stock (important to some). Also wanted to
> mention that
> I had disassembled and modified both my MIJ Jazzmaster and Jaguar (both
> since sold) trem assemblies to correct the manufacturing defects
> inherent in
> the manufacture. The end result was two guitars that stayed in tune quite
> reliably (as compared to the original condition). By the way, thanks for
> the nice compliment on "Changing Tides"; we are still planning
> another album
> late this year or early 2003, and will be trying out some new material at
> our upcoming gigs this summer.
>
> Best regards, Dana Vincent
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brian Neal
> To:
> Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 5:11 PM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Dana's Strat Mods (was Fender N-word)
>
>
>
> Dana, these are very interesting modifications. Do you really
> feel that way
> about the string trees? Currently, my Strat "catches" on the G
> string...when
> I am tuning it you get the creaking sound. I am thinking about lubing the
> nut or the string tree. Maybe I should remove the string tree? Or are the
> string trees not needed after you switched to the roller nut?
>
> BTW, are there any trade-offs with going the roller nut route? Did you
> install it yourself?
>
> Personally, for all the bad mouthing the Jag/Jazzmaster gets about its
> bridge and trem, I have more trouble keeping my Strat playable.
>
> BTW, I listened to your 2nd CD for the first time in a while, and
> I got one
> of those "This is even better than I remembered it" smiles on my
> face. Great
> job.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> BN
>
>
>
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