String tree/ retainers

[jerryjg]

Currently in the process of outfitting string trees on my Strats. What an important part those lil bastids play.
Can a Floyd style bar type string tree retainer be used on a regular style Strat? I mean, generally only the first 4 strings are angled down by the stock Fender string tree and the top two are left alone unangeld. Would it hurt to use a bar type string retainer and angle all the strings down on a stock 6 pt. temolo Strat ?
Another Strat is going to get Graph Tech String Trees ( set of two for the first four strings), and Ive heard they are pretty good little retainers.

EDIT 8/23/08 3;55 am- Good info.;

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=1017999

 

[Atomic Chameleon]

Re: String tree/ retainers

If you use a Floyd bar on a non lock nut, it's going to be a ***** to keep in tune. The wound strings in particular will bind up on the tree-bar and cause tuning instability. Especially if you use the tremolo frequently.

Get some quality tuners such as Sperzel, Schaller, Gotoh, Planet Waves, etc that are staggered or clamp the string close to the headstock to create more of an angle. Honestly, string trees behind non-locking nuts are archaic and unnecessary. Some people will argue that the string will ring out with less attack, but I don't agree with that all. You may notice it when playing open string chords but other than that there's no difference in tone. I have Sperzels on my old school Strat, use no string trees, and the strings don't fall out of the nut.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: String tree/ retainers

Why not just buy some cheap string trees? I bought some dirt cheap black ones on ebay and they work just fine.

 

[FenderFan79]

Re: String tree/ retainers

I've used the graphtech string trees on my Strat and liked them because they eliminated the "pinging" noise I'd get from the stock metal ones. I've also ordered some roller trees for my tele, I'll let you know how they work once they arrive.

 

[jerryjg]

Re: String tree/ retainers

Why not just buy some cheap string trees? I bought some dirt cheap black ones on ebay and they work just fine.

Thats what Im going to do . Clearly the guitar needed string retainers. The high strings sounded bad after I had lowered the action to my likeing. I already put the bar style retainer on. It looks awefull on the stock Strat headstock and after waht the first reply said, Im going to take it off. Evetually, Ill have to fill the little holes.I'll do it when I add the stock Fender style string trees.
But Im still not surNot sure if its okay or even better( obviously its not necessary) to angle those two low strings down?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: String tree/ retainers

String trees, schming trees. Staggered tuners are the way to go IMO.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: String tree/ retainers

Thats what Im going to do . Clearly the guitar needed string retainers. The high strings sounded bad after I had lowered the action to my likeing. I already put the bar style retainer on. It looks awefull on the stock Strat headstock and after waht the first reply said, Im going to take it off. Evetually, Ill have to fill the little holes.I'll do it when I add the stock Fender style string trees.
But Im still not surNot sure if its okay or even better( obviously its not necessary) to angle those two low strings down?

I dunno if it really matters all that much. Is it possible to string the top two strings OVER that bar, and just keep the other four under it?
But yeah, I'd think any strat type guitar needs at least one string tree, the high E just flops around otherwise.

 

[jerryjg]

Re: String tree/ retainers

String trees, schming trees. Staggered tuners are the way to go IMO.

I could never figure out the markings on the back of either the Fender Schallers nor the Sperzels I have, indicateing the proper placement for the staggering.. They are staggered, but i just cannot figure how to put the right ones in the right place- the marks on the back are retarded. Maybe I'll try finding some instructions( i got them both used).
In any event it really doesnt look as though the staggering would angle down the top four strings enoguh to make the difference a string tree would.Especially on high E and the the other three high strings plucked open( sorry,i dont know terminology).I do a lot of open string stuff.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: String tree/ retainers

Actually I hate those little metallic annoyances.

After the Wilkinson trem, the Sperzel Trim-Loks were the 2nd best improvement I did to my Strat.

Mine is an MiM and has the one (cheap) string tree for the B and High E strings and frankly, it was way more trouble than was worth.

I installed the staggered machineheads and now everything works great.
I still have the string tree on the guitar, partly because I didn't have a chance to fill the hole and partly because of sentimental reasons (it WAS after all a part of my Strat) but it now is only for show.

I could never figure out the markings on the back of either the Fender Schallers nor the Sperzels I have indicateing the proper placement for the staggering.. They are staggered, but i just cannot figure how to put the right ones in the right place- the marks on the back are retarded. Maybe I'll try finding some instructions.

It's pretty simple really.
The staggered tuning pegs are usually of three different heights.
The two highest go to the thickest strings, the Low E and the A.
The two medium ones go to the D and G strings and
the two shortest ones go to the thinnest strings, the B and the High E.

If yours have a different number of heights the rule is:
the highest the tuning peg, the thickest/lowest the string it goes to.
the shortest the tuning peg is, the thinnest/highest the string it goes to.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: String tree/ retainers

Currently in the process of outfitting string trees on my Strats. What an important part those lil bastids play.
Can a Floyd style bar type string tree retainer be used on a regular style Strat? I mean, generally only the first 4 strings are angled down by the stock Fender string tree and the top two are left alone unangeld. Would it hurt to use a bar type string retainer and angle all the strings down on a stock 6 pt. temolo Strat ?
Another Strat is going to get Graph Tech String Trees ( set of two for the first four strings), and Ive heard they are pretty good little retainers.

EDIT 8/23/08 3;55 am- Good info.;

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=1017999

I've seen a strat-type guitar with a long bar-type "tree" before. To me, so long as the string(s) don't jump out of the nut slots when I really dig in, I don't care.

My strat has the roller-type string trees (direct replacement) now.