Locking nut

[type0]

Ok, I've tried to search for similar threads without results, so I'll ask myself.

What is the reason for having a guitar with a locked nut? (Where the strings are retained by 3 screws).

I think this is a major pain in the ass. Imagine how you just end up putting the guitar back on the stand in anger just because it was slightly out of tune and you couldn't find the tool to unscrew. I could accept locking nuts.. but ONLY if there was a no-tools-needed kind of mechanism. Maybe a springed clamp that snaps into retaining position or something.

So what purpose does locking nuts have other than being in the way of your finger and making the guitar look ugly?

I wonder if I should make a plain nut out of stainless steel.

[Jody]

are you talking a locking nut w/out the locking trem?(that has the fine tuners)

[type0]

I'm talking about this:



I'm just saying: When you have a floyd rose mechanism on the guitar, the natural patent would be to lock the strings in tune on the nut. That's okay. But I think, that if you lubricate a standard nut, the strings will slide back in tune when you release the tremolo bar (just as they do when you release after bending a string on a fret).

[Jody]

OK, you tune the guitar,lock the nut, and fine tune with the tuners on the trem

[Jody]

some people hate floyds,,I love them.thay are a pain in the a$$ to set up, and restring ,and If you break a string your toast, but a well set up floyd is bullet proof...once you get it tuned its not going anywhere...I allow 1 half step (flat) when I tune it before locking down the nut. I agree its not for everybody..but if you break a string ( and wound enough on the peg) you can back enough off to re lock it in the bridge re tune, and your good to go..

[type0]

It's hard being an arch top kind of guy when you buy this:



This is the one I'm talking about. I tried out my theory that I could use a regular nut on this guitar, by removing the screws and retainer clips. So that the strings are resting unlocked on the nut. And it's stays in tune when I'm hendrixing it with the trem. So that just proves that I can in fact replace it with a regular nut. Where the tension of the strings keeps them in place in the nut grooves just like on a LP or any other guitar that uses the good old fashion nut. And that is why I ask.... why are they there? What is the purpose of locking the strings on the nut?

[Paragon]

They eliminate that extra length of string from the nut to the tuners when bending and using the trem. Other than to help keep it in tune, idk.

[worn]

I found it to be a pain in the ass for tuning, finally replaced it with a roller nut.

[dennistruckdriver]

They stay in tune much better once the strings are stretched in. You take care of 'fine tuning' with the adjustment screws on the trem, such as a Floyd Rose. Jimmy Thackery had his vintage '62 or '63 Strat modified by adding a Floyd. He says he never has to tune during a show.

[Jody]

why are they there? What is the purpose of locking the strings on the nut?
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my opinion is to leep the strings from moving in the nut,so you dont have to use graphite to keep them from slipping..

[jamisonmp]

The locking nut stops the strings from slipping off of the tuning peg. Period. That's the official purpose of the thing. It also helps to maintain proper tension to keep the trem from floating too far out of pitch when returning to zero. If you're crazy with a trem...like Vai crazy, you'll need the locking nut. Otherwise you wont, and you shouldn't be using a floyd anyway. There are many alternative trems out there, wnd when combined with a properly setup guitar and locking tuners will do the same thing a floyd does without going out of tune, providing you don't get too crazy.

I've used Floyds for as long as I can remember and I can pretty much yank them all over the place without going out of tune.