Hello,

Has anyone installed roller nuts on their strat? Was the install difficult and did it prove to be value added? Did tuning stability improve? Thanks

Howdy!

I've installed the Fender LSR roller nut on one of my parts-casters...



The following link gives clear instructions for the LSR nut installation. if your not up for carrying out the installation yourself get a recommended guitar tech/luthier to do it for you.

LSR Roller Nut Installation

Compared to the nut I had previously installed the LSR was a huge improvement regarding tuning stability, especially when partaking in some serious whammy action.

That said, since then I've installed and adjusted standard nuts that preform just as well. I can only presume I've got better at cutting/adjusting the slots. My Classic Player 60's Strat preforms just as well as my LSR parts-caster with the stock nut!

I don't regret installing my LSR but to be perfectly honest, unless you really want one (like i did!) I believe you can get a standard nut to be a stable as a roller with out having to chop up your fret board.

Hope this helps

Andy

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Thanks Andy I appreciate the response. It is definitely useful info. And you've got a sweet Stat too!

No worries!


Cheers man! That one's a bit of a screamer. Doesn't take much of an excuse for me to spam the forum with pics and spec's!

Big Hairy Parts-caster spec. - 2 piece Ash Body in Vintage White, Lace Hot Golds with the 13.2k bridge, S-1 Switching, Clapton Mid boost (with TBX tone) Toggle switch for the bridge pup, Compound radius fret board, LSR Roller Nut and a Two Point Pivot Trem.



Andy

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Andy sorry pal but you've opened the door. Lol. Tell me your opinions on locking tuners as well. Which brand is best for install, quality, tuning stability, cost value? Also pluses and minuses for staggered tuners. Thanks.

Not a problem!

I can only really comment on the locking tuners I've used and installed and would recommend getting as many different opinions as possible. There are some people who post here that have far more experience than I do.

I have a couple of Big Hairy Parts-casters (one you've seen above) that have unbranded reasonably priced locking tuners that work a treat! Unfortunately the site I brought them from no longer sells them.

I recently finished another build where I used a set of Sperzel Staggered Locking Tuners...



The Sperzels are decent tuners IMO. I bought mine for WD Music for £63.

As far as installation goes you'd need to check to make sure that the post holes on your headstock are big enough and you may have to drill new and/or fill the old holes used to locate/ secure the tuners in place. The Sperzels each have a single locating pin that requires a small hole (marked out in the pic below)





The strings are locking by adjusting/tightening the disks at the back (as seen above). You've got to watch that you don't over tighten them as you can break the strings. They do make changing the strings a bit quicker.



Staggered post heights are as follows -

E and A strings - 24mm
D and G strings - 23mm
B and E strings - 22mm



Staggered Tuners get mixed reviews here. Some say they don't provide enough of a break angle across the nut and I totally respect that but in my experience its been fine. I have a White Parts-caster (pic below) that doesn't have staggered tuners or any string trees..



... I honestly didn't notice any performance issues, but that may well just me. YMMV.

As with the LSR nut I have other guitars with standard tuners and string trees that hold tune with out any slip off or "pings" once the strings have settled and perform just as well as ones with Staggered and or Locking tuners.

I haven't made up my mind as to whether these sorts of upgrades are just a "gimmick" or whether there is any real benefits that make them worth the expenditure.

BTW the Strat that got the Sperzel's looks like this...



Once again, Any opportunity to spam the forum with pics!

Hope this helps!

Andy

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Thanks for the info Andy. It really helps. And you have some beautiful instruments.

Thanks man! Any time.

Andy

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Pending Greatness