Hey folks. I just got a 2002 American Standard Strat and it is already fitted with Fender Deluxe Locking Tuners. To better assist with tuning stability for whammy use, I am thinking about getting the LSR nut. I have read good things about it but wanted to see what people here had to say about it. I am probably going to have the trem setup for dive only, as that is 90% of what I use a whammy for, depressing the bar and pulling up to pitch on chords and single notes to give a slide type of feeling. I am also considering the Callaham upgrades parts kit for the saddles, springs and block, but would rather swap out the pickups for something noiseless. Anyways, what are some thoughts?
Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
- Thread starter BluesGuyJ
- Start date
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
Yeah, I'd rather do a Tusq or Graphite nut and spend a little money every two years on some Big Bend's Nut Sauce.
Bill
Yeah, I'd rather do a Tusq or Graphite nut and spend a little money every two years on some Big Bend's Nut Sauce.
Bill
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
Either way, I am having a great local tech install the new nut. I do have a tusq nut on my Carvin C66 and it seems to work very well with keeping in tune with my hip shot 2 point trem and tremsetter. Why would you folks not go for the LSR?
Either way, I am having a great local tech install the new nut. I do have a tusq nut on my Carvin C66 and it seems to work very well with keeping in tune with my hip shot 2 point trem and tremsetter. Why would you folks not go for the LSR?
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
I've got one on my Warmoth Strat with Planet Waves locking tuners on it, and 10-46 strings. I've had no issues with it and it does seem to help tuning return to the right place when I use the trem on it.
I've got one on my Warmoth Strat with Planet Waves locking tuners on it, and 10-46 strings. I've had no issues with it and it does seem to help tuning return to the right place when I use the trem on it.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
I have some strats that came with it, and while I have no problem with them, I would not convert an existing guitar to an LSR. Any tuning issues you have with the nut can be solved with a properly cut and lubed nut, no need to go LSR unless you prefer that style nut.
I have some strats that came with it, and while I have no problem with them, I would not convert an existing guitar to an LSR. Any tuning issues you have with the nut can be solved with a properly cut and lubed nut, no need to go LSR unless you prefer that style nut.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
LSR is an overengineered solution to a simple problem that can be cured by plain-old good workmanship. It also requires permanent modification to your nut slot. I'd never convert a guitar that didn't already have one. I'd first have your stock nut fine tuned. Then, if that doesn't work out, try a Tusq XL nut (not regular Tusq; that is just plastic, no better than any other plastic nut), also fine tuned by a respected professional.
LSR is an overengineered solution to a simple problem that can be cured by plain-old good workmanship. It also requires permanent modification to your nut slot. I'd never convert a guitar that didn't already have one. I'd first have your stock nut fine tuned. Then, if that doesn't work out, try a Tusq XL nut (not regular Tusq; that is just plastic, no better than any other plastic nut), also fine tuned by a respected professional.
tubecrunch
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
I'm not saying it doesn't work, but if your strat doesn't already return very closely to pitch, there's no garantee this will fix it. I've owned two strats:
Jeff beck model with lsr nut. Wouldn't stay in tune. Replaced the bridge, tuners, an nut, never stayed in tune.
Still have my mim '95 strat with 50's style open top tuners. Put a callaham bridge on it. I can do dive bombs all day, stays in tune.
I'm not saying it doesn't work, but if your strat doesn't already return very closely to pitch, there's no garantee this will fix it. I've owned two strats:
Jeff beck model with lsr nut. Wouldn't stay in tune. Replaced the bridge, tuners, an nut, never stayed in tune.
Still have my mim '95 strat with 50's style open top tuners. Put a callaham bridge on it. I can do dive bombs all day, stays in tune.
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
thank you all for the input, it means a lot. Now if the trem comes back to pitch after being used, but it must be depressed to return to pitch after bending strings, does this mean something is being caught up at the nut or is the bridge having trouble returning to zero?
thank you all for the input, it means a lot. Now if the trem comes back to pitch after being used, but it must be depressed to return to pitch after bending strings, does this mean something is being caught up at the nut or is the bridge having trouble returning to zero?
hermetico
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
My situation is the oposite.
My American Deluxe came with the LSR. I've tested others Deluxe with just the bone (or pseudo-bone) nut and, I honestly prefer the traditional nut.
The LSR introduces some kind of "zing" on the high end that some times drives me mad.
I've got mine on hands of a fellow friend luthier to substitute the LSR with a bone nut.
I would go for a bone nut, that is a proven enhancement to your sound.
My situation is the oposite.
My American Deluxe came with the LSR. I've tested others Deluxe with just the bone (or pseudo-bone) nut and, I honestly prefer the traditional nut.
The LSR introduces some kind of "zing" on the high end that some times drives me mad.
I've got mine on hands of a fellow friend luthier to substitute the LSR with a bone nut.
I would go for a bone nut, that is a proven enhancement to your sound.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
All you have to do is widen the nut slot a little bit. There's no need to make a whole Floyd-like nut shelf like that.
Here's a pic of one installed:
The end of the fretboard has to be shave or carved off to install the LSR. Be aware that to return to original later, the wood would have to be replaced and recut for a regular nut.
All you have to do is widen the nut slot a little bit. There's no need to make a whole Floyd-like nut shelf like that.
hermetico
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
Instead of the LRS nut, for what you wanted, pitch stability, I would recommend you two to go for the Fender Deluxe tremolo.
This is actually a Major enhancement, not the LRS.
I think you already have locking tuners, which is the other part of the solution.
Be sure you respect the recommended factory height for the talon of the tremolo. Use three springs and fine tune them to maintain the whole system in balance. The stress of strings should be equal to the stress of springs. This can take some days until the whole system stabilizes.
Maintain lubricated the two posts where the bridge's blade pivotes (this is mostly the cause where they don't return back to pitch, after a bombing).
Lubricate always the pieces where the strings enter in contact (saddles, nut, etc).
Instead of the LRS nut, for what you wanted, pitch stability, I would recommend you two to go for the Fender Deluxe tremolo.
This is actually a Major enhancement, not the LRS.
I think you already have locking tuners, which is the other part of the solution.
Be sure you respect the recommended factory height for the talon of the tremolo. Use three springs and fine tune them to maintain the whole system in balance. The stress of strings should be equal to the stress of springs. This can take some days until the whole system stabilizes.
Maintain lubricated the two posts where the bridge's blade pivotes (this is mostly the cause where they don't return back to pitch, after a bombing).
Lubricate always the pieces where the strings enter in contact (saddles, nut, etc).
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
My start comes back in tune every time. It's rather amazing and the first trem guitar I've ever owned that was flawless in that regard. Regular parts. I've had two very nice Heritage guitars and a Gretsch that all had bigsby's that would never come back into tune. Gave up on them and have soured me to Bigsby's ever since.
My point? Sometimes you can chase your tail looking to accomplish something lacking in your guitar. Sometimes, one simple change fixes all from what I've read here. Normally, I'll just sell it and find another that works better.
My start comes back in tune every time. It's rather amazing and the first trem guitar I've ever owned that was flawless in that regard. Regular parts. I've had two very nice Heritage guitars and a Gretsch that all had bigsby's that would never come back into tune. Gave up on them and have soured me to Bigsby's ever since.
My point? Sometimes you can chase your tail looking to accomplish something lacking in your guitar. Sometimes, one simple change fixes all from what I've read here. Normally, I'll just sell it and find another that works better.
hermetico
New member
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
ive had a strat plus deluxe since 1991. it came originally with the wilkinson/fender roller, which i replaced after many years thinking it had developed flat spots and was not longer doing its job properly. After that, i installed the LSR.
Actuallly there was no noticeable improvement in tuning stability using either the wilky or the LSR over a regular well cut bone nut setup. They still go out of tune like any trem, and you do the same kind of things while playing to pull the strings back into tune.
Roller nuts are a great idea and all, but ive had just as much good luck with a well cut and lubricated bone or tusq nut for tremolo equippped axes and tuning stability.
By vote would be to just get a tusq installed nicely, and keep a tube of chap stick in your guitar case.
ive had a strat plus deluxe since 1991. it came originally with the wilkinson/fender roller, which i replaced after many years thinking it had developed flat spots and was not longer doing its job properly. After that, i installed the LSR.
Actuallly there was no noticeable improvement in tuning stability using either the wilky or the LSR over a regular well cut bone nut setup. They still go out of tune like any trem, and you do the same kind of things while playing to pull the strings back into tune.
Roller nuts are a great idea and all, but ive had just as much good luck with a well cut and lubricated bone or tusq nut for tremolo equippped axes and tuning stability.
By vote would be to just get a tusq installed nicely, and keep a tube of chap stick in your guitar case.
ganzosrevenge
New member
Re: Thoughts on Fender LSR Nut for Strat?
LSR Nut is a great tool for bending strings for me. A lot of guitars I've had with fake-bone, and even one with real-bone, would snag up due to burls in the nut. Yes, it looks "modern", but if it means a much reduced chance of burls and snagged strings, and one less point of breakage... then I'll tolerate it. Being a mahogany guitar means the extra bit of highs are more than welcome as well. However, as an aftermarket upgrade, get a pro to do it... and make sure that your guitar isn't "trebly" to begin with. Otherwise you may end up with more twang than quack.
LSR Nut is a great tool for bending strings for me. A lot of guitars I've had with fake-bone, and even one with real-bone, would snag up due to burls in the nut. Yes, it looks "modern", but if it means a much reduced chance of burls and snagged strings, and one less point of breakage... then I'll tolerate it. Being a mahogany guitar means the extra bit of highs are more than welcome as well. However, as an aftermarket upgrade, get a pro to do it... and make sure that your guitar isn't "trebly" to begin with. Otherwise you may end up with more twang than quack.
