crooked block on locking nut

[bryan_kilco]

So I just realized yesterday that I have a single block/locking piece on the nut that is crooked when tight. It's on the 2 low strings. I also have an issue where I get some weird resonance/feedback from the low strong on chugs. Even if I try to hold the block straight and tighten it, the force of the allen key ends up turning the block slightly crooked when tight. Is this something bad? This guitar is supposedly "blemished", so i got it for less than factory price....maybe this is the blemish?

Also - the string retainer/string tree/whatever they are called didnt seem to be cranked down far enough when I got this thing. I tightened it down but I couldnt really find any info on just how far down it's supposed to be. Any help with this?

 

[bryan_kilco]

Bump?

After sifting through pages of Google searches, the only explanation I found was that my nut blocks are too small...??!! Don't understand why this only happens on the low string though.

 

[AdamG94]

Are you sure you have the locking nut the correct way round? Some have a curve in them which means that they only sit correctly one way. At least this is the case with the floyd on my Jackson, the nuts match a slight curve.

Also, it could be to do with the gauge of strings you are using, if it's a particularly top heavy string then this could happen. The 'spring tree' (not sure what it's called) should be set so that the Floyd sits level/flush with the guitar body.

Hope that helps a bit

 

[bryan_kilco]

Yep - tried it flipped both ways. The string tree/retainer is the metal bar just above the locking nut, which applies pressure to the strings so they dont go sharp once the nut is locked. I may have that set too low? I've heard to have the tree tight so that its flush with the nut, but then I've also heard that you want it just putting slight pressure on the strings....So I'm a bit confused.

 

[Code001]

The part you're referring to is called the string clamp. All of these angle slightly, and it's part of the way they're designed. Take one of my guitars, for example:

You can see how the string clamp is angled slightly. Again, this is normal. Do NOT start trying to crank it down as that's how you strip the threads in the nut.

To adjust the string retainer bar properly, you must first know what its job is and how it works. The point is to create an angle from the nut to the tuners so that when you tighten the string clamps down, it doesn't change the pitch severely. You want the bar to have enough pressure on the strings so that it doesn't change the pitch too much when you clamp it down. Keep in mind that, due to the nature of the floyd itself, the pitch will change a little bit. What you're looking to prevent is a drastic change in pitch.

As far as the resonance, that's hard to figure out because I don't have the guitar in my hands. Maybe it's the tremolo springs ringing out, maybe it's the strings past the nut ringing out, maybe the saddle has a burr, maybe there is a bow in the neck causing it, maybe the string lock insert is broken, etc. As you can tell, it's a lot of potential things that's somewhat hard to troubleshoot over the internet.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Wow, thank you for that post!! I didn't think the slightly crooked string clamp was normal....but mine looks exactly like yours does.

As far as the string retainer....I think I've got it pretty decently. It doesn't change pitch when I clamp the nut down. The resonance thing....I already dampened the trem springs because they were BADLY ringing. I'm afraid it could be an uneven edge or bur in the nut. I guess I'll find out eventually.....First show in like 10 months on Friday, with this guitar....and a new bassist.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Might I add that - both guitars I've owned with a locking nut, the allen key didn't fit right. It was always a tad small. WTF? I'm worried every time I lock/unlock.....

 

[Code001]

If the allen wrench is a hair too small, it's most likely not the correct size. Unless someone swapped them out, normal is a 2.5mm for the intonation screws and 3mm for the clamp screws, string lock screws and studs. Certain ones vary (Ibanez, for example, has used different ones throughout the years, and Kahlers use SAE), but most are the standard 2.5mm and 3mm.

Notice how I have foam behind the locking nut. The guitars will still ring out there, although it's not nearly as severe as the tremolo springs themselves. How much relief is there in the neck? To measure, hold down the first fret and last fret of the G string, and slide some feeler gauges in between the 9th fret and the string. Does adjusting the truss rod one way or the other fix the issue? Sometimes, uneven/worn frets combined with a straight neck can cause some weird vibrations. Another thing that could cause it is a truss rod acting up. Yet another could be the guitar's natural resonance fighting with that frequency. If you have the last one, all you can do is sell the guitar because nothing will truly fix it. This is pretty rare, though, and I've only experienced it with one guitar before.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Hmm, as far as the allen key issue....I bought the guitar new, and it came with the keys. The only one that "fits" seems to be 1/16th or so too small. Same way with my old Ibanez. Strange.

 

[Code001]

Most will exhibit a small amount of play in them, so it's probably just a natural thing you're experiencing there. Honestly, I dislike allen headed fasteners for that very reason -- they allow for too much potential play. However, they're less prone to slippage of the driver when compared to phillips (or even worse, flat heads). They're also fairly hardened, so stripping them will be a bit difficult as long as you're using the smaller allen wrenches and not trying to crank them down like your life depends on it. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Thank you for your assistance, I greatly appreciate it! The resonance I speak of almost sounds like what you described - the strings above the nut resonating. But when I hold a finger over them and chug, it still happens. It may just be a combo of too much gain and the EMG 81, along with the amp being hit by a TS (gain about 0-1, Volume 75%, tone 50%).

 

[ttrentt]

Thank you for your assistance, I greatly appreciate it! The resonance I speak of almost sounds like what you described - the strings above the nut resonating. But when I hold a finger over them and chug, it still happens. It may just be a combo of too much gain and the EMG 81, along with the amp being hit by a TS (gain about 0-1, Volume 75%, tone 50%).

All my guitars are floyds. There should be no ringing. Use foam behind the nut, and then use 2 inches of cat 5 cable cut and slide it into the springs for the floyd. Fits perfect and allows operation of floyd if needed.