I am doing a cheap project guitar. I found a new roller nut that will fit the guitar and the budget. What are the pros and cons? Thanks.
Roller nuts, what's the deal?
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- Rated: 38 ↑
Feb 8, 2010 8:42 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
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Feb 8, 2010 8:44 p.m. roadjunkie:
Lint! Those rollers attract every piece of dust in the house. I had one on my Jeff Beck. The knock on these are they don't work on cowboy chords too well. I had no problem with it.
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Feb 8, 2010 8:49 p.m. Ric12string:
I have one on a Strat. I like it. It is part of the Wilkinson tremolo and bridge unit.
(I can't get the photo button to work, but here is a site depicting that nut.) http://www.electricguitartrends.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/wilkinson...
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Feb 8, 2010 8:55 p.m. jc28:
I have never had one, but I have few friends that have. From what they have told me they work great, but from what I understand you have to match string sizes. I think the strats that came stock with them will bind if you try to use anything over ten's.
My Sons teacher has one on a strat and uses 12s he said he had to get a larger size roller nut to accommodate them.The strat is outfitted with sperzels as well, and he goes crazy with the trem and it does not go out of tune.
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Feb 8, 2010 8:57 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Found this on ebay. No name for $5.85 free ship.
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Feb 8, 2010 9:08 p.m. jc28:
Sorry, never seen that type. These are the type that I am familiar with
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Feb 8, 2010 9:24 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Those look much better but cost as much as my entire project budget.
The only worry I have with the one I found is will the strings pop off when I bend. For $5.85 I might try it.
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Feb 8, 2010 9:28 p.m. jc28:
Not sure if they would pop off or not, and you probably know a lot more about building guitars than I do. But my .02 cents would be to go with a graphite nut, it can be cut to match the radius and you don't have to drill holes.
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Feb 8, 2010 9:34 p.m. Bear:
This thread isn't at all what I thought it would be about.
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Feb 8, 2010 9:36 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Why you little!!!!
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Feb 8, 2010 10:19 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
For a couple bucks extra I just ordered a graphite nut. Seemed the safer way to go.
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Feb 8, 2010 10:34 p.m. jc28:
My sons guitar teacher( I should mention he is my teacher as well, he has been helping learn how to really play Jazz) has a pieced together schecter with a Graphite nut as well, it is also fitted with sperzels. He lays into that trem as well, it is a 2 point floating trem, he has it set up to pull back a minor third. He teaches my son Van halen type stuff and that guitar does not go out of tune.
here is a clip of him playing it, if you skip to about 2:50 you will see the guitar and him laying on the bar
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Feb 8, 2010 10:40 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
That was sweet! He covered a lot of ground there. Thanks. Okay, now, anyone know what type of glue is best for attaching the nut? If I ask too many questions just tell me to shut up. But please do so after you answer.
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Feb 9, 2010 5:10 a.m. Ratrod:
It's a bit hard to adjust string spread and hight on those. In fact, it's impossible. Just get a regular one, cut to match your guitar. Bone, graphite or Delrin.
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Feb 9, 2010 12:37 p.m. Mike_Martin:
I have 2 JB strats. The first yr. model with the Wilkinson and an 01 with the Fender LSR. I prefer the Wilkinson. It just seems like a better piece of machinery, but both work fine. And every guitar JB plays has the Wilkinson.
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Feb 10, 2010 11:13 a.m. Big_Burly:
IMHO a roller nut is a complicated solution to a simple problem.
Rollers do the job of eliminating string binding. They also can add rattles and also can lessen coupling and therefore sustain.
A well-lubed nut (or bridge slot) will also eliminate string binding without coupling/sustain loss.
We all know about Big Bend's Nut Sauce. I use either Chapstick or, even better, Carmex lip balm. I keep both in my set-up kit.
True story: I recently changed strings on my Corvette. It was binding badly and pulling out of tune with Bigbsy use. The Bigsby was also squeeking badly since I tightened its inner spring. I fired up the Carmex, pulled the strings out of their slots, one-at-a-time, and slathered it on. I relaced the strings and lubed up the Bigsby inner spring too.
Result: No more squeeking. No more pulling out of tune!
Kick ass!!
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Feb 10, 2010 3:12 p.m. Setzer:
I also use a Wilkinson and prefer it over the LSR. I've got the first gen. style as Ric12 posted with the split setup and the 2nd style full rollers as JC linked us to.
Here's something you don't see everyday. I'm retrofitting a Wilkinson in place of the LSR! That's backwards from what Fender wanted us to do.
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Feb 16, 2010 11:24 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Okay, update. I installed a new graghite nut today. What a difference! The nut I ordered was a lot thicker than the old one so my first experience with guitar surgery was fun. I had to cut about 1/8" off the fret board. But it went well and the new nut looks like it was there all the time. I goofed up a little filing the slots but not bad. She stays in tune now and there is a slight difference in tone, I think. The graphite feels like butter.
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Feb 17, 2010 9:38 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Just bought this off ebay. Not a Bigsby but cheap and it goes with the guitar. Any advice on installing would be appreciated.
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Feb 18, 2010 10:49 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Advice, anybody? Help.
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Feb 18, 2010 11:01 p.m. gcat:
String up the hi & lo E strings temporarily and use them as a guide for lateral placement. Eyeball the string 'break' angle over the bridge saddle(s) and adjust fore/aft location accordingly (also consider where the arm will end up being). Usually, the closer to the bridge, the more break angle you get. Check your string alignment again before you mark & drill holes. You could do a mock up and take some pics and post them here too, and maybe get some additional insight
I don't know how much real estate you've got to work with or if it's flat or arched?
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Feb 18, 2010 11:16 p.m. Unclegrumpy:
Thanks gcat. When it comes in I will take your advice.
