Tele String Trees and Tuners Experiences from Builders and Modders?

[KP11520]

Freddy.... We've been had! Yup.... Hipshot's guitar tuners are now made in South Korea. I just called and they said they can't keep up with demand in their production facilities with that much volume of cast parts.

I'll let you know how they feel after I put everything together. The reviews on these have me thinking they are still the cat's meow. And you know how much that means to us cat lovers!

Thanks for keeping your eye on the ball! Always appreciated!

Says they are made in Korea in the ad.....hmmmm. I hope they're not counterfeit! Hipshot manufactures in upstate New York.

 

[KP11520]

I will say this..my 100% stock 93 american standard is my favorite guitar to play.. it has the standard american trees.. and the D&G do not have a tree...
THEY NEED ONE. not enough break tension on the nut even when down winding the strings..

Even though I bought the Staggered tuners, I'm going to start with the one string tree for the B and e strings. And quickly determine if the D and G strings will get the same. I'll give the one a shot, but my gut says it will be two. But I will walk the process first! Maybe I'll learn: Never say Never. LOL

Thanks Gentlemen!

 

[LeftyF2003]

I was able to get along with one tree until I changed my tuners to locking. The ones I got were not staggered and due to that I had to add another tree for the D and G strings. With staggered tuners you should be OK with one

 

[Freddy G]

On my tele builds with Hipshot staggered tuners I find that I need a tree for the E and B but not the D & G.

 

[KP11520]

On my tele builds with Hipshot staggered tuners I find that I need a tree for the E and B but not the D & G.

And that my teacher, is why I'm following your footsteps!

Signed,

Grasshopper

 

[kevinpaul]

I have assemble no builds. I start with a body, only American or Mexican. I never use Squier or off brands. The neck pockets are off on many non North American bodies. The old style string trees go right in the trash bin with the plastic nuts and non roller saddles. I remove as much of the friction causing contact points as possible. The lower the coefficient of friction the better the tremolo and and tuning stability.

 

[kevinpaul]

The roller type tree and the Fender roller nut really make the tremolo safe to use and stay in tune. There are Mickey Mouse junk roller nut at a cheap price, they are no good. This time Fender parts are the only ones to use. Roller saddles from any place seem to work fine. The black Strat is still waiting for a roller nut. The black one is made from extra or leftover parts.

 

[KP11520]

I can see any place that causes friction being a problem. Especially with a Tremolo. Thankfully, this is a Tele with no Bigsby. But I still don't want any tuning instabilities. Both my LP and BC Rich are giving me some grief. Probably time for each to get a new cut Nut.

You have been tinkering with guitars since before you were born. And it shows with the projects you post. I wish we could hear them too! (HINT, HINT)

I have assemble no builds. I start with a body, only American or Mexican. I never use Squier or off brands. The neck pockets are off on many non North American bodies. The old style string trees go right in the trash bin with the plastic nuts and non roller saddles. I remove as much of the friction causing contact points as possible. The lower the coefficient of friction the better the tremolo and and tuning stability.

The roller type tree and the Fender roller nut really make the tremolo safe to use and stay in tune. There are Mickey Mouse junk roller nut at a cheap price, they are no good. This time Fender parts are the only ones to use. Roller saddles from any place seem to work fine. The black Strat is still waiting for a roller nut. The black one is made from extra or leftover parts.

 

[emoney]

I think those roller nuts just look better too. Although, I'd never seen the G&L before today.

 

[kakerlak]

Play it without any trees first -- better not to drill holes you'll later regret. Man, with a tele, I think you want that long, shallow-break run of string past the nut and don't overlook the impact a bunch of string trees will have on the ease of bending strings behind the nut, which is something the tele will surely tempt you to do in time.

 

[The Ballzz]

While "roller" trees seem like a great idea, at face value, consider that all of them that I've had my hands on have had both the rollers solidly attached to the same common shaft which spins in the mounting block. Now ponder, if you will, the mechanics of what goes on when we have one of these trees on say, the D and G strings and we do a full step bend on the G and then release it. This may, or may not cause the G roller to spin while also spinning the D roller, or not! This leaves the two strings fighting each other for preference on their grip of the roller. This does not seem optimal to me! Now, if each roller were mounted with it's own separately spinning bearing...........? That would certainly make it much pricier though.
Just My $.02 & Likely Worth Even Less!
Gene

 

[KP11520]

Hey Gene,

I agree if using roller String Trees, a Limited Slip Differential is key (automotive meets guitar, LOL) Actually, if each roller isn't independent, it really isn't working for us like it should.

I'm not crossing the tree bridge until the guitar is together and strung and played. It will tell me what it needs then!

I will say, the Hipshot Staggered Locking Tuners are SWEET!

HOMERUN! (thanks Freddy!)

While "roller" trees seem like a great idea, at face value, consider that all of them that I've had my hands on have had both the rollers solidly attached to the same common shaft which spins in the mounting block. Now ponder, if you will, the mechanics of what goes on when we have one of these trees on say, the D and G strings and we do a full step bend on the G and then release it. This may, or may not cause the G roller to spin while also spinning the D roller, or not! This leaves the two strings fighting each other for preference on their grip of the roller. This does not seem optimal to me! Now, if each roller were mounted with it's own separately spinning bearing...........? That would certainly make it much pricier though.
Just My $.02 & Likely Worth Even Less!
Gene

 

[The Ballzz]

If string trees are required, I prefer GraphTech TusqXL, of either color and also use my home made lube of white lithium grease with powdered graphite. You'll find nothing slipperier! FWIW, luthier David Collins is currently working to develop a three string design that uses one screw, in hopes of having GraphTech make and market it.
Just My $.02,
Gene

 

[KP11520]

I am definitely a fan of Graphtech Tusq XL. I put a nut on my Dot with Grover Rotomatic locking tuners and now I have real tuning stability.

I also have a TonePros bridge with Graphtech Saddles and Aluminum Locking Tailpiece. It is very loud and resonant unplugged.

One screw for three strings can work until either the first or third string breaks in my mind's eye. But hey... Ya never know!

Thanks for the heads up on the three stringer Gene! If they can make it stable, it will work very well, IMO.

If string trees are required, I prefer GraphTech TusqXL, of either color and also use my home made lube of white lithium grease with powdered graphite. You'll find nothing slipperier! FWIW, luthier David Collins is currently working to develop a three string design that uses one screw, in hopes of having GraphTech make and market it.
Just My $.02,
Gene

 

[KP11520]

Gene, where do you get graphite dust? Any special kind? The usual white lithium grease? Works well on Bone Nuts? Thanks!

 

[KP11520]

I just wanted to follow up and show you those Hipshot Staggered Locking 16:1 Tuners Freddy recommended on my Tele Neck. SWEET! I haz a boo boo. Drill got away from me and poked through the front of the headstock at the first string tuner.

Me OUCH!

 

[timgman]

Play it without any trees first -- better not to drill holes you'll later regret. Man, with a tele, I think you want that long, shallow-break run of string past the nut and don't overlook the impact a bunch of string trees will have on the ease of bending strings behind the nut, which is something the tele will surely tempt you to do in time.

Well put, the bends on a tele with 9's is amazing.
It's the only guitar I like 9's on... I'm usually a 10 / 11 guy..

 

[The Ballzz]

KP11520,
Apologies for so long on this reply. I start with Lubriplate #1200-2, but any good white lithium grease (not from a spray can) should do fine. I then use a flat, carpenter's pencil (fairly soft lead/graphite) and a file into the small container I plan to store/transport it in. I keep grinding & mixing the grahite into the grease until it just begins to "clump" a bit and then add just enough grease to smooth it back out. A little bit lasts a LONG time! I use a dual well contact lens container. One well lasts a couple of years for many guitars. You just use a tiny dab with a poothtick! FWIW, you can also get a small tube of powdered graphite at Blowes, Home Cheapo, etc. but I haven't tried it yet, as pencils are free, I have a huge supply and the filing can be kind of a "ZEN" thing!
Enjoy,
Gene

 

[KP11520]

Thanks Gene!!!!

You had me laughing with Blowes and Home Cheapo!

Now I can't wait to get the ingredients and whip up a batch! Perfect for no friction for all my guitar's Nuts! Very Cool!

KP11520,
Apologies for so long on this reply. I start with Lubriplate #1200-2, but any good white lithium grease (not from a spray can) should do fine. I then use a flat, carpenter's pencil (fairly soft lead/graphite) and a file into the small container I plan to store/transport it in. I keep grinding & mixing the grahite into the grease until it just begins to "clump" a bit and then add just enough grease to smooth it back out. A little bit lasts a LONG time! I use a dual well contact lens container. One well lasts a couple of years for many guitars. You just use a tiny dab with a poothtick! FWIW, you can also get a small tube of powdered graphite at Blowes, Home Cheapo, etc. but I haven't tried it yet, as pencils are free, I have a huge supply and the filing can be kind of a "ZEN" thing!
Enjoy,
Gene

 

[moreles]

Geez... sorry to have dropped this thread for so long. Here's a pic of the bone string trees I made for my McNaught G4. They've been on for a few years and the bone pieces no longer match in color... I'll have to redo one. The funny nut is a bone replacement I made for the Earvana I had installed at one point. The Earvana worked well but looked like hell, so I traced it on bone and smoothed out the contours. This guitar has the fastest neck I have ever played but gave me nightmares with a failure to return to pitch when the trem was used. I tried every string tree, nut trick, etc., and every trem trick as well. (There was no flaw in Dave's fantastic build!!!) The cure: Blade Runner trem by Super-Vee. Those units are flawless!