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Setup for Great Action Step 7: String Retaining Bar The string retaining bar is a mandatory feature for a locking nut guitar. The idea to the string retainer is to lower the strings behind the locking nut so that when the nut is both unlocked and locked the string position is the same at the rear of the nut. Look carefully at the back headstock side of the locking nut string grooves. When the nut is unlocked, the strings should be sitting all the way down in the "V" grooves of the nut. The string retaining bar allows you to set this. If the strings do not sit at the bottom of the grooves, the strings will be pulled sharp when you lock the nut. | Step By Step: String Retaining Bar Adjustment | | Picture | | | Tools Needed | - 3 mm Allen wrench - for locking nut
- Small Phillips-head screwdriver - for string retainer screws
- Med/Large Phillips-head screwdriver - for tremolo claw springs
| | Procedure | - Unlock the three locking nut bolts
- Visualize the low-E string as it sits in the "V" shaped slot behind the nut (see arrow in picture) on the headstock side of the nut
- Adjust the retaining bar height to have the low-E string sit at the very bottom of the groove
- Lower the retaining bar - tighten the retaining bar screw clockwise on the low-E side if the string is not at the bottom
- Raise the retaining bar - loosen the retaining bar screw counterclockwise on the low-E side if the string is bottomed out on the cover
- Don't lower the retaining bar too much - Leave enough clearance for the strings to pass over the trussrod cover
- Repeat on the high-E side
- Lock the nut and verify that the open notes do not sharpen
| | Reference | - With the locking nut unlocked, all the strings sit at the bottom of the "V" groove behind the locking nut.
| Summary - Step 7
Setup the retaining bar correctly to allow the strings to maintain their pitch when the locking nut is clamped down. If the retaining bar is setup too high when you lock the nut the open notes will be pulled sharp. Having the retaining bar too low will not allow the strings to pass under the bar as the trussrod cover will be in the way.
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