Hello everyone.

I purchased an American Special HSS last year. I was really impressed with the build quality, playability and sound of the guitar. However I have swapped the stock humbucker with a SH4 JB and had it tapped. I did like the stock humbucker but I have always used SH4s and they sound great tapped too.



The one problem I have with this guitar is the tuning stability. I have had it a year now and I do all the usual to keep it stable (lubing all the contact points and sting stretching etc…). It pretty good but not as good as previous stats I have owned. I have always bought used American strats in the past that seem to have been setup pretty dam perfect (being older and well played in properly helps). I don’t use the trem much and if I do it very subtle.

I am thinking of getting some locking tuners and a graphite nut or roller nut. I have read many of threads on here and elsewhere about the subject. My main concern is the sizes. Does anyone know if the Fender Locking Tuners will fit in the American Special without any problems? Does anyone think that other brands of locking tuners would be better and will they fit without any ‘wood work’? Also what issues do I have to consider when swapping the nut? I will not be doing the work myself, but I want to make the swap as simple as possible.

Thanks for any help.

Rob

Fender locking tuners will drop right in. If you are not replacing the nut yourself, have a qualified luthier do it and just let him/her deal with it. There is nothing you can do to "help". However, before you do all this, just have the guitar set up properly. You stated that "I have always bought used American strats in the past that seem to have been setup pretty dam perfect (being older and well played in properly helps).", which leads me to believe that it needs a good setup now. If you don't know how to do it yourself, take it somewhere for the first one.

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Bill

Noticed that you have a vintage style (6 screw) bridge on it. Are you familiar with the old tried and true trick of backing off the four middle screws about 1/16" and tightening the outer two back down? Besides the general setup that Bill mentioned I would do that also. That will help keep the strings in tune better when you use the whang bar. Here is a link to Fender's own DIY instructions: http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide Scroll down to the "Tremelo" section and check the directions for the vintage bridge.

One other thought: I believe you said that you seldom use the trem? If you can get by completely without it, then why not just block it completely. This is very easily done, either by yourself, or by a good tech. And it may improve your sustain a bit as well.

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"It's about sound and sound alone. Looks are irrelevant. You can have the best-looking guitar on earth, but if the sound isn't there it is nothing more than a beautiful piece of trash. The sound it makes is the soul of any guitar."

Fender/Schaller locking tuners are a direct fit. I put them on my Blacktop, Highway 1, and my American Special. I have my Highway 1 and American Special decked. I have no tuning issues. I do not use my tremolo on either one of those 2 guitars.

For tuning issues and you hardly use the tremolo, I would say deck it.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

My Am Dlx is my first strat so I can't compare it to another, but I'm amazed at how well it holds it''s tune. I think the LSR nut is a good feature. I use my wammy bar occasionally but not a lot.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Ditto on the Fender/Schallers!! Direct drop in replacement...a 10 min. fix.!
I have an American Special also.
I, too, changed out the pickups.
But those absolutely HORRIBLE Ping tuners HAD to go!!

Aside from the new pickups....the best mod that I made to the guitar!

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!