JohnnyCNote Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I've been looking over some of the diy guitar options and have been really impressed at the results. I have a question about using a FR style tremolo: Is a locking nut necessary or can I use locking tuners instead? I've searched for an answer but haven't found anything yet. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 You can use locking tuners. However there will be a slight case of strings not returnng to the origninal pitch when pulled back and forth over the nut. A slippery material like graphite will of cause help, but if dive bombing is your thing there is only one thing to consider: a double locking tremolo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 The Floyd Rose is a system, and part of that system is the locking nut. By only using the locking saddles you still can have string binding at the nut or strings slip at the tuners. To get everything possible out of a Floyd Rose you need the locking nut. If you are not dive bombing heavy enough to think you need the locking nut, then I would save the money and setup time and get a quality non-locking two-post trem, say a Wilkinson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mender Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 If you use a roller nut, and the string pull is straight, or almost straight, then locking tuners work really well. Other than that, a zero fret and graphite nut with the slots cut slightly looser than normal, along with a straight string pull, gives very good results. This is the way I do it because I make guitars with 46 - 48mm wide nuts, and I haven't found locking nuts wide enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyCNote Posted April 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 One of the reasons I've asked is because I wanted to avoid, if possible, having to shave off the wood above to nut to accommodate a locking or a roller nut. However, it looks like I won't be able to, at least eventually. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melvyn Hiscock Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 I never use locking nuts, they are emprorers new clothes. Cut the nut correctly, use locking tuners and take out al the backlash. AND stretch your strings properly. Standard Strat trems will stay in tune will all sorts of abuse if you sent them up properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyCNote Posted May 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 Jus depends if you really want to USE the trem..if you do,the locking nut is a must have...the whole "nut,locking tuner" thing is only for people who don't want to use a trem to it's full potential. My Floyd equipped guitars(once the strings are stretched)stay absolutely in tune for weeks at a time...try that with locking tuners and a standard nut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyCNote Posted May 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 I have been known to push it to its limits. It seems there are pros and cons with each configuration (if you can believe that when it comes to musical equipment) . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 Unfortunately,i don't know if one perfect guitar actually exists for any single guitarist...if i had to narrow down to as few as possible,i would still have three or four. Some come pretty close..I could most likely be just fine with two all mahogany modded explorers(My version I mean) with one having a kahler and one a TOM...but the one with the kahler would most definitely have a floyd locking nut,just like all my others do now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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