LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

[Jacew]

My strat currently has the stock Fender "synthetic bone" nut. Since it could use a small set up (goes just a slightly out of tune on lowest two frets on few strings), I was thinking upgrading the nut as well.

I've been looking at the zero frets, mainly just because I don't have nut files, and it doesn't seem reasonable to buy a set just so I can set up a guitar every two years; and I wouldn't like to take it to tech, because I don't like others to set up my gear for me.

Since I'm a bit concerned about wore-out and tuning issues with trem with zero fret, I've recently started to look at LSR roller instead. Considering all the sides (set-up, friction), it seems a far better choice.

Is it worth it to change that Fender "synthetic bone" for LSR? I assume stock one is some kind of plastic, sounds good, but brighter sound with LSR shouldn't be a problem. Unless it's very prominent. Mainly, like I said earlier in this post, change would be for maintenance and tuning balance.


UPDATE: It's not out-of-tune anymore on low frets... Apparently the strings were just bad, I don't know what else could have fixed it. They were pretty old...

I would still be interested about thoughts, experiences or whatever random knowlege you may have about the topic...

 

[Clint 55]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

Changing the nut changes the flavor of your guitar a LOT. A synthetic bone nut that's already perfectly seated in the neck from the factory is pretty darn sound. So if you have good tone and tuning stability already I'd recommend sticking with it. You can put graphite in the slots to lube things if you haven't already. Besides it still requires some tools to change even a pre slotted nut. You'd probably have to lower the floor of the neck to get the roller nut to be at the right height. So if you want the performamce of the rollers then go for it, but otherwise I'd say stick with the stock Fender because they sound good.

 

[Jacew]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

A synthetic bone nut that's already perfectly seated in the neck from the factory is pretty darn sound. So if you have good tone and tuning stability already I'd recommend sticking with it. You can put graphite in the slots to lube things if you haven't already. Besides it still requires some tools to change even a pre slotted nut. You'd probably have to lower the floor of the neck to get the roller nut to be at the right height. So if you want the performamce of the rollers then go for it, but otherwise I'd say stick with the stock Fender because they sound good.

Pretty much what I thought too. Since LSR comes with shims to get the height right, I'd expect it to be low enough to not need a deeper slot?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

Pay attention to your neck radius if you get an LSR.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

https://youtu.be/M0c7pWCKP0k

Looks like in this install he doesn't end up adjusting the depth of the hole but the width! And he removes the wood from in front of the nut I'm assuming to make it intonate right.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

If you do have any kind of tuning issue at the lower frets, the only way to correct that is with a compensated nut.

 

[Mincer]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

I am happy that it worked out. If I was going to install any sort of completely different nut system on a guitar, though...I'd look for a expertly crafted zero fret out of stainless steel. That idea should be more popular than it is.

 

[Jacew]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

If you do have any kind of tuning issue at the lower frets, the only way to correct that is with a compensated nut.

Unless it's too high cut nut that's pulling the strings out-of -tune when fretting...

I am happy that it worked out. If I was going to install any sort of completely different nut system on a guitar, though...I'd look for a expertly crafted zero fret out of stainless steel. That idea should be more popular than it is.

I guess stainless steel takes care of wore-out of zero fret? There's going to be quite a lot of pressure on the crown, so have you ever got problems with string wear or friction with them?

 

[Mincer]

Re: LSR Roller nut / Zero Fret / Fender "synthetic bone"?

Stainless steel doesn't really wear from nickel strings, so you should be fine for a really really long time. Standard zero frets eventually need to be replaced/recrowned more often because of the pressure. Never seen stainless steel have this problem.