Can Someone Tell Me

[HenryHill]

Why roller nuts aren't used to eliminate trapped string and tuning issues?

Or even a barrel type of non roller, like bridge saddles?

It seems that small bearings at the nut would work better than locking nuts.

Nut slots seem like they would cause problems, and not eliminate them.

What am I missing?

 

[grohlstheman]

I've thought about that too. It's a mystery or I'm certainly missing something

 

[chasenblues]

I know Fender tried them for a while don't know if they're still available as an option on any of their higher end stuff.

 

[emoney]

More than likely it's a decision of cost.

 

[HenryHill]

I know Fender tried them for a while don't know if they're still available as an option on any of their higher end stuff.

I can see issue with this style, with the wound strings not smoothly moving over the small diameter balls, especially on the low E.

I was thinking a horizontal shaft with spacers between grooved spools mounted on needle/roller or ball bearings.

I can't remember if I have ever seen these, but it seems like I have.

 

[HenryHill]

OMG, there's a bunch of them in a google image search, all kinds of methods.

I've never understood how guitar makers will charge $1500 or $6500 for a guitar, and the think that a roller nut or some other piece of nice hardware is too expensive to use.

Using premium hardware at mass production acquisition costs seems it would cost less than 100 dollars, their cost.

Surely a cheap and effective method could be settle on and used, without charging an arm and a leg for it.

Nut issues are a PITA.

 

[chasenblues]

Surely a cheap and effective method could be settle on and used, without charging an arm and a leg for it.

Nut issues are a PITA.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

Rollers are not directly anchored directly into the guitar... they are mounted on little axles. Because of this a roller nut will not sustain as much as a non roller nut.

 

[Spotcheck Billy]

Maybe this is a good argument for a zero fret.

 

[David Collins]

Rollers of the size required for this task leave too small a contact area on the string to act as an effective boundary point for the waves. For many frequencies, they simply become a node stop and allow for all sorts of odd harmonic effects before and aft (the reason Fender's LSR nuts have to include a damping pad on the back end).

Then there is also the issue of individual string height adjustment. In a position where a thousandth of an inch makes a real difference, even if the system height is adjustable by shims, removing the ability to adjust individual string heights becomes a fundamental flaw. It does more to impede refinement and choices in setup than it does to bring benefit.

Nuts need a broader contact surface (or clamp as with locking nuts) to act as a firm boundary point to stop energy from transmitting beyond, and ability to adjust individual string heights to the particular frets on the individual instrument they are installed on. These are two very critical criteria in my opinion, which are very difficult to meet with a roller nut system. I have yet to see one that I found to bring more benefit than limitations. A well cut bone nut, or locking nut for aggressive tremolo work seem to be the best options with the fewest drawbacks.

 

[chasenblues]

I can't speak as to the pro's/con's of the various systems/versions but it seems Jeff Beck likes the LSR from Fender.


Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster® | Stratocaster® Electric Guitars | Fender® Guitars

 

[KnightroExpress]

I had one of these on a partscaster I built several years ago. It held tune ok. I can't really speak for specific tonal advantages/disadvantages, but I thought my guitar sounded good and sustained just fine.

 

[Jim_D]

Figured it was worth posting this link to this discussion - EDGE Guitar Services, Cardiff, Bristol and Bridgend: repairs and technical services for guitar, bass and other stringed instruments - sounds similar to what David posted earlier on and worth a read if you are interested.

 

[Berserkr696]

I have a roller nut on my strat and it stays in tune better than any guitar I've ever owned.

 

[bruce bennett]

Why roller nuts aren't used to eliminate trapped string and tuning issues?

Or even a barrel type of non roller, like bridge saddles?

It seems that small bearings at the nut would work better than locking nuts.

Nut slots seem like they would cause problems, and not eliminate them.

What am I missing?

I do use them when the customer will allow it..

Some folks prefer their open chords to have the tone of the bone. ( sorry for the bad rhyme) and obviously a metal nut doesn't have that.

but the LSR roller bearing nuts are GREAT and for any Two poled floating tremolo bridge when used with Locking tuners.. make for a smooth working tremolo that you can change strings on very fast and with no Allen wrenches. and they stay in tune almost as good as a Double locking Floyd Rose.


in fact I'm kinda of excited about some of the new Les Pauls coming with machined brass adjustable nuts this year. I'm really hoping they catch on.

 

[bruce bennett]

Rollers are not directly anchored directly into the guitar... they are mounted on little axles. Because of this a roller nut will not sustain as much as a non roller nut.

complete BS. metal transfers vibrational energy FAR better than bone.

 

[chasenblues]

In fact I'm kinda of excited about some of the new Les Pauls coming with machined brass adjustable nuts this year. I'm really hoping they catch on.

Noooooo





Just joking..

 

[NateM]

I have never had *too* much of an issue with a properly setup normal bone nut as long as I make sure to put some pencil filings into the slot each time I load the strings. I'm sure a proper roller setup would eliminate many issues but unless you are doing dive bombs maybe it isn't enough of an issue for most folks?

 

[Comanche]

Brass works good. Its slippery.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

complete BS. metal transfers vibrational energy FAR better than bone.

who said anything about bone? the OP was talking about roller vs. locking nut.