Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

[BluesGuyJ]

Hey folks. I just got a 2002 American Standard Strat and it is already fitted with Fender Deluxe Locking Tuners. To better assist with tuning stability for whammy use, I am thinking about getting the LSR nut. I have read good things about it but wanted to see what people here had to say about it. I am probably going to have the trem setup for dive only, as that is 90% of what I use a whammy for, depressing the bar and pulling up to pitch on chords and single notes to give a slide type of feeling. I am also considering the Callaham upgrades parts kit for the saddles, springs and block, but would rather swap out the pickups for something noiseless. Anyways, what are some thoughts?

[trevorus]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

A Tusq nut would be easier, and wouldn't require such modification. Unless you're getting it professionally installed, I wouldn't do it.

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

Yeah, I'd rather do a Tusq or Graphite nut and spend a little money every two years on some Big Bend's Nut Sauce.

Bill

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

Either way, I am having a great local tech install the new nut. I do have a tusq nut on my Carvin C66 and it seems to work very well with keeping in tune with my hip shot 2 point trem and tremsetter. Why would you folks not go for the LSR?

[Securb]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

I have a LSR on my Strat and I love it. Great tone and sustain, I also have locking tuners on it. If you are having a pro do the install I can not see any reason for not doing it.

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

I've got one on my Warmoth Strat with Planet Waves locking tuners on it, and 10-46 strings. I've had no issues with it and it does seem to help tuning return to the right place when I use the trem on it.

[trevorus]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

Here's a pic of one installed:



The end of the fretboard has to be shave or carved off to install the LSR. Be aware that to return to original later, the wood would have to be replaced and recut for a regular nut.

[Securb]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

Here is my install. Pretty clean.

[Gamera]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

I have it on my 2004 Am Dlx Strat. No issues whatsoever. Love it!

[Ayrton]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

I have some strats that came with it, and while I have no problem with them, I would not convert an existing guitar to an LSR. Any tuning issues you have with the nut can be solved with a properly cut and lubed nut, no need to go LSR unless you prefer that style nut.

[ItsaBass]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

LSR is an overengineered solution to a simple problem that can be cured by plain-old good workmanship. It also requires permanent modification to your nut slot. I'd never convert a guitar that didn't already have one. I'd first have your stock nut fine tuned. Then, if that doesn't work out, try a Tusq XL nut (not regular Tusq; that is just plastic, no better than any other plastic nut), also fine tuned by a respected professional.

[tubecrunch]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

I'm not saying it doesn't work, but if your strat doesn't already return very closely to pitch, there's no garantee this will fix it. I've owned two strats:
Jeff beck model with lsr nut. Wouldn't stay in tune. Replaced the bridge, tuners, an nut, never stayed in tune.

Still have my mim '95 strat with 50's style open top tuners. Put a callaham bridge on it. I can do dive bombs all day, stays in tune.

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

thank you all for the input, it means a lot. Now if the trem comes back to pitch after being used, but it must be depressed to return to pitch after bending strings, does this mean something is being caught up at the nut or is the bridge having trouble returning to zero?

[hermetico]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

Hey folks. I just got a 2002 American Standard Strat and it is already fitted with Fender Deluxe Locking Tuners. To better assist with tuning stability for whammy use, I am thinking about getting the LSR nut. I have read good things about it but wanted to see what people here had to say about it. I am probably going to have the trem setup for dive only, as that is 90% of what I use a whammy for, depressing the bar and pulling up to pitch on chords and single notes to give a slide type of feeling. I am also considering the Callaham upgrades parts kit for the saddles, springs and block, but would rather swap out the pickups for something noiseless. Anyways, what are some thoughts?

My situation is the oposite.
My American Deluxe came with the LSR. I've tested others Deluxe with just the bone (or pseudo-bone) nut and, I honestly prefer the traditional nut.
The LSR introduces some kind of "zing" on the high end that some times drives me mad.

I've got mine on hands of a fellow friend luthier to substitute the LSR with a bone nut.
I would go for a bone nut, that is a proven enhancement to your sound.

[ItsaBass]

Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?

Here's a pic of one installed:



The end of the fretboard has to be shave or carved off to install the LSR. Be aware that to return to original later, the wood would have to be replaced and recut for a regular nut.

All you have to do is widen the nut slot a little bit. There's no need to make a whole Floyd-like nut shelf like that.