Floyd w/o locking nut

Karmann · #1 02-25-2003, 07:47 PM

Is it possible to have a guitar, let's say a strat, for example, fitted with a FR tremolo( not floating, like the Peavey Wolfgang) with d-tuna and instead of the locking nut, have locking tuners and a LSR nut or something similar?

sniperfrommars1 · #2 02-25-2003, 08:47 PM

Yes it is. Ive seen a few people that do this, one of my buddys has a wolfgang he doesnt use the locking pads with. I hate it. lol. No reason to lose the locking nut in my opinion. I remember the days without the nut and therefore hate the ideal of going back to no locks

BeastofLove · #3 02-25-2003, 08:54 PM

Sniper- help me out here...
What's the difference between a locking nut, and let's say, Sperzel locking tuners? I would think easier string changes and solving tuning problems would be easier without having those 3 extra pads there. It should be just as good, esp. if you had one of those roller nuts...

-Ben

JESTER700 · #4 02-25-2003, 10:58 PM

If you're REALLY wild on the whammy, you can't beat a locking nut. If you're not, you can go with Sperzels (and yeah - with rollers it's better yet). But if you're going THERE, why even use a floyd? Get a Wilkinson or something.

Akhenaten · #5 02-26-2003, 12:10 AM

While it's alot less of an issue with locking tuners, there's still the instance of the string moving back and forth in the nut slots. And they don't always return in tune. With a locking nut, you cut the movement there, and thus the strings don't have opportunity to catch in the nut in a different spot.

Drew · #6 02-26-2003, 11:37 AM

There's also the fact that if you really abuse a FR trem, it's possible for the strings to fall out of the nut entirely when you dive down... Try it on a guitar with a locking nut. see how they just hang there?

I really wouldn't recommend this.

-Drew

sniperfrommars1 · #7 02-26-2003, 08:31 PM

the major weak point at the headstock is the nut, string tree and the wraps. EVH used to wind his wraps upside down and only one or two twist per string. A little lube in the nut (*no pun intended*), and he would also straighten the string very carefully when winding to pitch. This will help you stay in tune a lot better with a vintage style setup. SPerzels dont compare to the floyd because they have the three major weak points still there. Ive seen guitars that stay in tune Moderately well without the locking nut, but usually not. So in my opinion, its fixed bridge or floyd. Why settle for less than perfection?

BeastofLove · #8 02-26-2003, 10:13 PM

Well, my Parker doesn't have string trees, and with locking tuners (Sperzels), I don't have to do any wraps around a post. So there's only 1 weak point according to you- the nut. I've dive bombed until the strings are limp and pulled up until I popped my G-string and have yet to have a problem with tuning stability.
As for strings popping out of the nut during a dive-bomb, with a roller nut, it's impossible for the strings to come out (I also had a Strat Ultra) since they go over one roller and UNDER the second roller.

Now, I'm not about to go converting my Ibz' with Sperzels and roller nuts, but I'm also not ready to give a hefty advantage to the whole Floyd-style locking system over locking tuners + roller nut.

-Ben

sniperfrommars1 · #9 02-26-2003, 10:56 PM

Ill hand it to parker they stay in tune well. My friend said the same thing about his parker, and I knocked it out of tune in 30 seconds. The strings still slip at the tuner a small bit even on the parker, Nice setup though. I wouldnt mind having one in a nice purple color

Akhenaten · #10 02-27-2003, 12:18 AM

The nut is everything...if the slots are nicely done, you will very likely have no real problems with your Sperzels. If the slots are too wide, the strings rattle. If too narrow, they hang up in it. Seems you've already made up your mind "Beast...". Go with the old rule, "If it works for you, then use it." Just remember that sometimes you get lucky with guitars. One may be great, and an identical one may suck. A good setup works wonders... You could have a locking nut behind a roller nut with a locking bridge and locking tuners, and if you didn't stretch your strings, you're wasting time.

bryangraye · #11 02-27-2003, 01:17 AM

I seem to have mastered the art of rapidly altering tuning through playing. .... sort of the same story with PCs - if it can be crashed, I'll find out how.

Akhenaten · #12 02-27-2003, 11:40 AM

Quote:

sort of the same story with PCs - if it can be crashed, I'll find out how.

huh?

sniperfrommars1 · #13 02-27-2003, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryangraye

I seem to have mastered the art of rapidly altering tuning through playing. .... sort of the same story with PCs - if it can be crashed, I'll find out how.

Same here, if its gonna break down I push the limit till it does.

BeastofLove · #14 02-27-2003, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankhnaten

Go with the old rule, "If it works for you, then use it."

Yep- that's why I haven't modified my locking Ibanez's. Not going to screw with something that works!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankhnaten

You could have a locking nut behind a roller nut with a locking bridge and locking tuners, and if you didn't stretch your strings, you're wasting time.

Of course!! String stretcher for quite a while now

As I'm sure everyone here is.

-Ben