String Guide Voodoo

[Vokey]

Hey guys,

looking for some input on something I'm considering for the Cornchopper. Currently I have no string guides on it whatsoever. Initially I thought about putting one on but decided to string it up and play it. Here is why I'm "thinking" about putting some or one on:



I never anticipated that the overhang would really bug me. I've never really paid attention to it but as you put things together yourself you find yourself wondering what is best and where to improve your guitar.

The other issue that is potentially creating this problem (or contributing) is the nut install/ nut spacing.

Here is the spacing at the nut,



And here is the spacing at the neck pickup.



I'd say the 1st string sits very very close to the edge and that is kind of an issue playing the upper strings/frets. I may have installed it just a shim to close to the edge but honestly, I cant say it is visibly a huge issue from a playing standpoint. But I do notice it. So should I look for a nut that has tighter spacing? Its hard for me to find specs on this neck anywhere, I do find it a bit more narrow than many I have played.

For the eye, I don't find the overhang to be super cool to look at. Tone? Never heard of a string retainer making a difference in tone, resonance or what-have-you. I don't find them particularly pretty but I think the overhang is nasty enough for me to be ok with installing them.

Anyone with a thought or experience please chime in!

(Ps. Pickguard is incoming next week :cool2: )

 

[Discharged]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

the 1st string sits very very close to the edge

It does, although the problem is not the nut but the bridge string spacing being too wide.

Is that bridge 54mm, by any chance? If it is, then it shouldn't be wider than 52mm. Seems that that neck is not a good match to that body, speaking about physical dimensions, that is.

Don't worry about the strings' overhang. *I* wouldn't even bother to put string retainers.

/Peter

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

I agree, the bridge is the main problem.

 

[Vokey]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

It does, although the problem is not the nut but the bridge string spacing being too wide.

Is that bridge 54mm, by any chance? If it is, then it shouldn't be wider than 52mm. Seems that that neck is not a good match to that body, speaking about physical dimensions, that is.

Don't worry about the strings' overhang. *I* wouldn't even bother to put string retainers.

/Peter

I agree, the bridge is the main problem.

Thanks for the input guys. I do know the neck was "designed" for a strat. To do a little experimenting, I pulled out my digital caliper and was curious about the difference in dimensions of the original neck and the one I have put on it.

The width at the neck pickup of the original neck:



The width at the neck pickup of the current neck:



Same Same?

Width at the nut of the original neck:



Width at the nut of the current neck:



oh, that's why it feels "wider" across the strings.

Now, like I talked about in my original Cornchopper post, I installed that nut. I think I have "Biased" the strings too far to the high E string. The 6th string (Low E) is not a problem to fret. Only the last 5-6 frets on the High E. I can see how a narrower bridge would tighten that spacing enough to not notice the possible alignment issue, but would you not say if the Low E isn't a problem, should the high E not be symmetrical? Or vice versa?

So in terms of regulating this, I don't know if it's totally a fitment issue. I mean I've thought maybe my screws aren't 100% straight into the neck, maybe causing the neck to favor a side, but I really look at it and feel like the nut isn't square.

I'm still not sold on the overhang situation. I guess it's personal preference really; giving the guitar it's character. I'll have to look at other guitars and see how I feel about them.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for the input! :1:

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

Looking at your first pic, I'm thinking that a string retainer isn't gonna help. Right now, despite the overhang, you have a straight shot from the nut to the tuner. If you use a retainer to get rid if the overhang, the high E is going to have to make a slight "turn" along the way which will look funny at best and create a tension problem at worst.

Just my $.02...

 

[Chistopher]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

I think the overhang looks fine, I think that if you tried to fix it it would be more trouble than its worth, not to mention it's not easily reverseable if you find you don't like it. It's also another binding point for the strings and if you install it anything other than perfect, it will be detrimental to your tuning stability.

I too agree with your string spacing being more of an issue at the bridge, and that's in my view more important than the appearance of the headstock. The high e string does appear to be a tad bit too far to the outside howevee, and that might be the source of your issue with that particular string.

 

[AlexR]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

The spacing along the fretboard is 100% the bridge end.....not the neck but the bridge itself.
Not only that but you can see that the gap to the high E from the B is wider than the other spacings.

String angles could be improved by winding from the other side of the peg for the concerned strings.

 

[Vokey]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

Looking at your first pic, I'm thinking that a string retainer isn't gonna help. Right now, despite the overhang, you have a straight shot from the nut to the tuner. If you use a retainer to get rid if the overhang, the high E is going to have to make a slight "turn" along the way which will look funny at best and create a tension problem at worst.

Just my $.02...

I think your .02 cents have a good point.

I think the overhang looks fine, I think that if you tried to fix it it would be more trouble than its worth, not to mention it's not easily reverseable if you find you don't like it. It's also another binding point for the strings and if you install it anything other than perfect, it will be detrimental to your tuning stability.

I too agree with your string spacing being more of an issue at the bridge, and that's in my view more important than the appearance of the headstock. The high e string does appear to be a tad bit too far to the outside howevee, and that might be the source of your issue with that particular string.

I think I'm understanding the bridge issue now. I understand how the nut spacing is important, but I think I'm seeing why the bridge spacing would regulate the overall issue.

The spacing along the fretboard is 100% the bridge end.....not the neck but the bridge itself.
Not only that but you can see that the gap to the high E from the B is wider than the other spacings.

String angles could be improved by winding from the other side of the peg for the concerned strings.

I've thought about the change in winding but I think it may mess me around more than a little bit of overhang.

So I could ask the question that I'm trying to do research on now;

52mm Telecaster bridge? is that a thing? I know many people before have bolted strat necks onto teles. Was this a problem for them? Should probably search

I've seen different strat bridges at 54mm and 52mm online. Anyone have any insight?

Or do I go full r****d and Floyd Rose myself?

 

[Gtrjunior]

String Guide Voodoo

Also, if that’s a bolt on neck, it may be sitting ever so slightly crooked in the pocket. Give it a nudge the other way and see if that helps. I had that issue with my Tele too.

 

[Vokey]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

Also, if that’s a bolt on neck, it may be sitting ever so slightly crooked in the pocket. Give it a nudge the other way and see if that helps. I had that issue with my Tele too.

So I gave it a wiggle and it made a pretty significant change for the better. While they hang close, they're now entirely frettable...I wonder if I could get away with maybe keeping 54mm since its comfortable to play, just tighten the screw a little more to hold the neck more in its proper place.

Anyone have any advice on that?

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

So I gave it a wiggle and it made a pretty significant change for the better. While they hang close, they're now entirely frettable...I wonder if I could get away with maybe keeping 54mm since its comfortable to play, just tighten the screw a little more to hold the neck more in its proper place.

Anyone have any advice on that?

If it works, it works... try it for a while and see for yourself. If after playing it for a bit you still find that it's giving you an issue, THEN see about changing the bridge.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

That was my first thought also. He didn't say if it was a bolt-on neck. That is a common adjustment to line up the strings on the high end of the neck. Also, if you can move that neck without loosening the neck screws, they are not tight enough to begin with.
Al

Also, if that’s a bolt on neck, it may be sitting ever so slightly crooked in the pocket. Give it a nudge the other way and see if that helps. I had that issue with my Tele too.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

I think you're still going to need a narrower bridge.

 

[Vokey]

Re: String Guide Voodoo

If it works, it works... try it for a while and see for yourself. If after playing it for a bit you still find that it's giving you an issue, THEN see about changing the bridge.

Yes, this is the direction I'm leaning.

That was my first thought also. He didn't say if it was a bolt-on neck. That is a common adjustment to line up the strings on the high end of the neck. Also, if you can move that neck without loosening the neck screws, they are not tight enough to begin with.
Al

Well I will say that they weren't ultra tight, but now after adjusting the neck somewhat, I've definitely tightened them down to a reasonable amount. Its not going anywhere anytime soon.

I think you're still going to need a narrower bridge.

Possibly yes. But I'm unsure if it's necessary. Here is the high E-string un-fretted and fretted after the adjustment.





I mean, the neck was for a strat, but I'm unaware of which series, and I'm also unaware of the variance in bridges between models/years.

Thanks for the input guys.