One string tree or two?

beandip

Frito's Better Half
I dont know why, but on any guitar that I get, strat, tele, or anything else that needs a string tree, I always put an extra one on there so it has two. I guess that I like the guitar to have an equal string angle throughout the entire headstock. What about you guys?
 
Re: One string tree or two?

My custom Tele had two installed when built, but I took the one off for the D-G strings. It gave the G string a more looser, vibey sound that I liked.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

I put an extra on my basses between the A and D string... it's pretty much just there for the A string, but, I prefer more tension on my strings, so it helps.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

I dont notice a higher tension, atleast I dont think I do. lol. I dont have anything to compair to, all my strats have two string tree's on 'em.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

its better to use the roller types or the graphite ones specially if you have locking tuners.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

Actually, I think, and so do alot of my "luthier" friends, that roller or graphite nuts, string trees, saddles, and locking bridges were designed because some people just dont know how to set up a guitar properly. You can have a wing string tree, a bone nut, and a 6 point trem with vintage saddles, and wiggle all you want, if properly set up, you wont go out of tune.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

I don't like string trees... I've had intonation problems with my strat that only has one. And I've heard some bad things. But maybe it was just the setup of the guitar?
 
Re: One string tree or two?

99 times to 1, people will blame a guitar related problem on the guitar or peice of hardware, but never really blame the setup or the player/playing style.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

I oprefger 2 trees. The string tension is more consistent and I don´t like the "rubbery" feel of bends on the d and g strings without a tree.

As far as the "can´t set it up" discussion: Do you honestly think Floyds made setup easier? ;)

But seriously, like you said a proper setup may have slightly influenced the technologly. But when you look at for example the range or feel of a Floyd to a Vintage 6 hole, they´re 2 totally diferent beasts, and THAT was intended. Whie the original Idea was just to stay in tune, why not get "sicker" when you´re already at it.

But I still disagree. All of these "doohickeys" like roller/ graphite nuts, Roller-saddles serve a purpose, and server that purpose BETTER than the "original equivalent" when properly set up. THAT´s why thay were invented, that´s why the M-1 was replaced by the M-16, it was just better in most situations.

I think it all boils down to the Zerb mentality of "Why settle for second best?? Do I look like I won´t win?". And, like with cars or anything else "moddable", we can and will change our guitars for what we feel is the better.

Roller nut: Less friction at the nut, Tone of open string nearly indiscernible form fretted note.
Graphite nut: Less friction at the nut, Black works well where bone "sticks out"
Floyd Rose: longer range than a vintage trem, impossible to knock out of tune (and at this kind of range, a vintage style would be hopelessly out of tune pretty often, trust me.)
Graphite saddles: Less string breakage. Not usually a setup issue but more often a "bridge design" issue.
Buzz Feiten/ Earvana: Better tempering of the tuning, guitart plays more in tune all over the neck

Not all change is bad or due to the stupidity of the masses. But true, most changes are ;)
 
Re: One string tree or two?

Ok, I'll give you the Floyd and the tone of a roller nut. But, you cant tell me that a properly cut and well done bone nut will be worse than a graphite nut. And as for string breakage, that's nothing that a little wire stripping or or small needle file wont fix. I didnt mean the BF or Earvana, cause that's just like the best thing to happen to guitars since the Stratocaster.
 
Re: One string tree or two?

beandip said:
Ok, I'll give you the Floyd and the tone of a roller nut. But, you cant tell me that a properly cut and well done bone nut will be worse than a graphite nut.

All other things equal, without maintenance (pencil lead/nut sauce, every so often a bit of sandpaper, etc.) the graphite nut WILL keep it´s tuning better in the long term because of it´s inherently lubricative properties.

And as for string breakage, that's nothing that a little wire stripping or or small needle file wont fix.
Yes, but is every guiitarist experienced in such fine work? And for example what if you don´t like the tone of your brass saddles? Then you can kill 2 birds with one stone, for about the price of a pro-setup, and lower your maintenance cost/time at the same time ;)

Again, they ALL have their merits, some a bit less than others, but they also ALL have disadvantages. Nut material is one of those things where you really "can´t go" anyway, because I´ve seen easily 20 different materials used for a nut, and they all have advantages and drawbacks

Here some examples:
Bone
Graphite
Corian
Micarta
Phenolic Resin
Pre-ban Ivory
Brass
Mammoth Ivory
Ebony
Steel
Abalone(!)
Plastic (probably the only one that IMO has nothing but disadvantages)

Looking at that, it quickly becomes obvious IMO that it´s personal preference (or maybe "mojo"), not all of it because of a crappy setup ;)
 
Re: One string tree or two?

I'm building my Strat project using staggered height Schaller locking tuners, which should eliminate the need for any string trees.

Ryan
 
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