The G string on my CP 50's doesn't resonate quite like the others and I had my guitar teacher check it to see what he thought might be the cause. He suggested adding another string tree, although he did suggest that I have a tech take a look at it first. Is adding another string tree a good suggestion for this sort of problem?

Definitely good advice to have a knowledgeable person check out the parts and setup first. Is the G string resonance any different when strummed fretted vs open? I would check the nut if it is only bad when open, and play with the pickups height first. Maybe even another type of strings would help, are you using pure nickel wound? You could easily try adding another string tree, the only downside being an extra hole in the headstock if you later remove it. Fender added another string tree for awhile, in different places on different models like the Am Std/Series, but now use just one, or none like on the Am Dlx. The originals only had one.

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You have a nut issue. Adding a string tree may provide a solution but it will mask a more fundamental problem. Leo and company designed the instrument and found need for only a single string tree. Fix what's broke -- not what isn't.

JMO

Arjay

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try the cheapest solution first, get a graphite pencil and work it over the slot on the nut sometimes the strings they bind and it effects intonation and resonance hth:)

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I've found it to be a marginal call in the past. Some Strats and other Strat based guitars seem to need that extra tree for sufficient pressure at the nut. But not all of them - as I say it's marginal.

I'd just put the extra tree on, but you might try winding the G string down the tuning post with a few extra turns.

Easy diagnosis - tune it up, plug it in , play the string and press it down slightly behind the nut. Bet the problems goes away..

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My guitar teacher also mentioned winding the string so that its lower on the post but he didn't think that would add enough tension to fully correct it, but its worth a try. I haven't had a setup done on the guitar so I'm thinking I'll talk to the tech about it and, as part of doing a setup, have him check that the string isn't binding in the nut.

My ear must be getting better 'cause now I can hear the same problem with my MIM standard, although it isn't nearly as noticeable...

I have 2 Mex Strats and they both have 2 trees. My Highway 1 Strat has 2 (roller) trees as standard, but I found I was able to take one off. My much loved and much modded Yamaha Pacifica had 1 tree, but I needed to add another. Go figure..

It's good that your ears are developing enough to hear these faults. In purposefull guitar study and practise, no hard work is wasted.

Maybe a very high end US built Strat is so well engineered to a demanding spec/tolerance that it can dispense with one of the trees. Don't know, never owned one. My collaborator's Clapton sig Strat only has one I've noticed. Another potential solution is graduated height tuning posts - but it didn't work for me. I fiitted a set of Sperzels to one guitar and STILL needed 2 string trees.

As a heavy trem user, I find trees to be a necessary evil - another potential friction point to mess up tuning. But just make sure you lube the underside of them with vaseline or chapstick and you'll be OK. Sometimes worth putting a little spacer under one or both trees, so you have just enough pressure over the nut but without the string dragging too much. You can have endless fun experimenting at your lesiure to get the optimal setup for your particular instrument. Alternatively you can stop obsessing like I do, and just get on with your life!

Good luck with the playing.

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

As has been already said, a second string tree treats a symptom and not a cause. Further as you will see, there can be one or multiple minute factors which can cause your problem:

Sidestepping other possible maladies such as but not limited to, the guitar being improperly set up and the strings being dead, if it were me, I'd first check to see if there's any built up crud in the nut slot. If so, I'd clean it out and check the results once I've laid the string back in. If this is not an issue nor does it resolve the issue at hand, I'd next check to see if the string was hanging up between the walls of it's nut slot due to the cut being too narrow, taking appropriate widening action if it was*. If this is not an issue, I'd next check the downward angle of the string from the nut to the tuning post. If it is slight to where you can see the string barely resting in, or even bouncing off the vertex of the nut slot, then there's your answer. Oftentimes, extra winds of the G string around the tuner post, ensuring that the successive winds spiral down towards the headstock will solve the problem. What it does is it increases the downward angle thus allowing the string to seat in it's slot more firmly. Naturally, you may have to replace the string to get those extra needed winds. If this doesn't work and the horizontal string/nut slot mating appears firm, then most likely there is excessive surface contact between the string and the vertex of the nut slot. The nut slot isn't tapered correctly where there is too much contact with the string and the forward (meaning closer to the tuners) slot of the nut. What needs to done then is to curve down some of the forward cut of the vertex of the string's nut slot. This will give less surface contact for the string in the nut's vertex, resulting in a more downward pull towards it's tuner. *I do not recommend those who are not well versed in such things attempting this task however. A COMPETENT tech can accomplish this literally in a matter of seconds whereas and conversely, the lesser versed can destroy the nut slot attempting this literally in a matter of seconds.

Note: Regardless of which remedy is successful, the string will inevitably have to be reintonated.

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Thanks for all the suggestions! Martian, the tech my guitar teacher uses is well-regarded so I'm gonna have him do a setup (since I've never had one done on this guitar) and have him check the nut.

You're welcome and you've made a wise choice.

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