Strat trem question

**JCH** · 01-14-2013

Put some graphite on the pivot screws also, and make sure that the trem block screws are tight.

**muttley600** · 01-14-2013

If it's going sharp which it sounds as if it is then there is increased tension in the strings after using the vibrato. That can only be two things. The block is returning further back than its start position (unlikely) or the strings are not running over the saddle or nut and sticking (far more likely). I would do as suggested and lube the nut well to try and rule that out.

From your description the only variable that has changed is the break angle over the saddles I would take a close look at them as well. You can use lube on them as well. If it helps, there is your problem and the fix is to get the nut and saddles dressed. Wound strings are worse because they grip more and they are by definition heavier per unit length so any change in tension will be more noticeable.

Setting guitars with vibrato is much more fiddly but with a little patience and thought about where and how the strings loose or keep excess tension it's normally just a process of elimination. One thing for certain, it aint your tuners...

**muttley600** · 01-14-2013

Originally Posted by Greg_L

Okay I'll try it but that seems like a band-aid. Should I get a new nut?

Diagnose first. Sometimes these things bed in. Think about your experience on working with engine blocks. Give it a few miles first.

**muttley600** · 01-14-2013

Originally Posted by Lt. Bob

well ....... I dunno and I'll be interested in muttley's take on this but one of the things a nut has to do is let the string make a clean break at that end of it's 'speaking' length.
So by it's very nature a nut kinda grabs the string unless it's a roller nut.

personally, if a lube fixed the problem i wouldn't go any further than that.

Yes. it doesn't "need" to grab the string though, it just does. .

**muttley600** · 01-14-2013

Originally Posted by Greg_L

Yeah, I'm gonna give it a try.

I've never seen a roller nut. That's a neat idea. Roller bridges are okay, but why not a nut? Why not both? Might need too much angle down to the tuning pegs.

I'm not a fan of either roller saddles or the few roller nuts that are around. A decent saddle and a well cut nut should do the same thing. The main issue with a roller nut is that it is incredibly hard to set the correct height and changes in string gauge, set up and intonation also become near impossible. The way round all these problems if you want extra stuff is locking nuts and saddles. I'm not a fan of those either as they can cause other issues and as I said a good saddle and nut setup is all thats required. Bone is definitely better than the stock plastic that is fitted to most cheap guitars these days so if you do get one cut get a bone one, to a degree they self lubricate and wear better.

**muttley600** · 01-14-2013

Originally Posted by JCH

Put some graphite on the pivot screws also, and make sure that the trem block screws are tight.

Yes, this too as good housekeeping. Seeing as how you have excess tension in the strings post vibrato I don't think it's the problem here though.

**CrowsofFritz** · 01-14-2013

Originally Posted by muttley600

The main issue with a roller nut is that it is incredibly hard to set the correct height and changes in string gauge, set up and intonation also become near impossible.

Yes, I'm really limited in the gauge of my strings. Good thing the one I like works!