Non locking trem with a lock nut?

Willis

New member
I want a Floyd for my next guitar, but I don't think I can afford one unless someone on here has an OFR or Schaller for sale, so I'm thinking about using a vintage style trem or a 2 point trem. How well would these stay in tune with a lock nut? I plan to set it up to sit flat on the body, and only use it to lower the pitch. Can they go down an octave?
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

The only problem is you need something to tune with, and you don't get that without fine tuners.
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

I could get a Kahler flip-lock or the Kramer flip nut lock so I wouldn't need an allen wrench. When you lock the nut, does it make the strings go out of tune?
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

n00b said:
When you lock the nut, does it make the strings go out of tune?

I think it does, just a little on my FR. I have thought about this too, but you really do need fine tuners.
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

In the mid 1980's someone came out with a locking nut to add to fender strats..... They fit in a slightly larger nut slot then a bone nut and where made of brass.... It never really caught on and soon died off... I always wondered if they worked.......

WhoFan
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

there's no need for a locking nut for that...just use graphite saddles and a graphite nut with good quality tuners and a vintage 6 point trem set flush to the body being used to dive bomb will stay in tune all day long. one of my strats has that mentioned setup and you can dive bomb multiple times just for the heck of it and it stays in tune just fine. it's all about a proper setup and good parts.

-Mike
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

XSSIVE said:
there's no need for a locking nut for that...just use graphite saddles and a graphite nut with good quality tuners and a vintage 6 point trem set flush to the body being used to dive bomb will stay in tune all day long. one of my strats has that mentioned setup and you can dive bomb multiple times just for the heck of it and it stays in tune just fine. it's all about a proper setup and good parts.

-Mike


+1!!!

I keep my vintage hole trem floating, i use vintage non-locking keys, and a bone nut and I can get nuts with the bar and it's fine...it is all about a killer set-up. Make sure you have the nut cut by somebody that knows their stuff, and do or have done a killer set up and you will be just fine.
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

I used to have a Kramer that had a Floyd without the fine tuners, and I used it with a set of Grover locking tuners and a graphite nut. It didn't stay in tune very well, but it was probably because of the setup. I assumed that a big part of it is the locking nut. I could definitely try that though.
 
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Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

XSSIVE said:
there's no need for a locking nut for that...just use graphite saddles and a graphite nut with good quality tuners and a vintage 6 point trem set flush to the body being used to dive bomb will stay in tune all day long. one of my strats has that mentioned setup and you can dive bomb multiple times just for the heck of it and it stays in tune just fine. it's all about a proper setup and good parts.

-Mike

Sounds like a nice strat set up!!!! My strats do not stay in tune for me that well... My Warmoth does if i do a few things, a-tune to e flat, b-oil the nut with a trem lub, c-don't use string retainers.. I can dive like Eddie for a little bit on that one guitar.....

I saw Pete Townshend in Toronto 2002 with the Who and he has custom Clapton Strats.. They have locking tuners, 2 post fishman bridges and white bone looking nuts.... He dive bombs like mad and swings his arm around like a bird hitting the strings so hard and he goes 3-4 tunes with the same guitar.... I bought the soundboard cd of the Toronto show from Pete's web site and he stays in tune really well. His tech Alan must have some nice secerets of setting up Pete's strats!

WhoFan
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

It's good to have something locking up around the headstock, whether it be tuners or nut. There are good FR copies out there if you really look.
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

YJM_Rocks said:
There are good FR copies out there if you really look.
I've heard the Schaller and Gotoh ones are good. What are some others?
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

YJM_Rocks said:
Why don't you just buy a Predator???? :)
I have a long list of requirements I want... maple body, thin poly finish (so it's like nitro), recessed strap locks, recessed Strat jack, direct mount pickup with mounting ring for looks, and bunch of other stuff. I'll probably hold off on ordering the neck until I sell my amp, and get a Kahler or a Floyd.
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

well, on my fusion, when i lock down the nut none of the strings go out of tune
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

n00b said:
I could get a Kahler flip-lock or the Kramer flip nut lock so I wouldn't need an allen wrench. When you lock the nut, does it make the strings go out of tune?

Usually not much but Yes. It´s possible to get it almost eliminated, depending on the design of the guitar and / or setup of the retainer bar... But almost impossible to get rid of it completely ;)

The original Design didn´t have fine tuners or the "Whale tail", then it was discovered tat they were needed, so it was slightly redesigned and they were added ;)

If you want to stay with a vintage style trem, get a good nut cut (or do it yourself if you know how) and install locking tuners

Davey said:
well, on my fusion, when i lock down the nut none of the strings go out of tune

Cool, who did the setup? He must have known what he was doing :rolleyes::beerchug::laugh2:
 
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Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

I just won an auction on a Kahler so problem solved. I'm going to have it recessed so I don't have to have an angled neck pocket.
 
Re: Non locking trem with a lock nut?

Zerberus said:
Cool, who did the setup? He must have known what he was doing :rolleyes::beerchug::laugh2:

hmm.. i dont think you know him ;)

take it easy.. i'm out for today
 
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