Using string trees

[Osharan]

I recently built a warmoth strat which will not stay in tune. It has a wilkinson trem and sperzel tuners. Do I need toadd the string trees?

[burningyen]

String trees will absolutely not help with intonation; if anything, they have the potential to make matters worse. The #1 issue you should address is the nut, making sure the slots are properly cut and lubed. And for something like that you'd be best off taking your guitar to a trusted tech.

[Osharan]

This particular guitar has a tusq nut. Ive lubed the nut and I'm still having problems. Word on the street is that string trees are very helpful with tuning issues but I wasnt completely sure. People seem torn on this subject. I forgot to add that the headstock isnot angled. Hence the possible need for the trees.

[fumbler]

+1 most tuning stability problems are caused by poorly cut and/or lubricated nuts.

But let's be clear here: do you mean . .

(1) . . . it can't be made to PLAY in tune? Adjust intonation and the NUT SLOTS MAY BE TOO HIGH and need to be properly cut.

Or do you mean . . .

(2) . . . it won't HOLD proper tuning? This is usually solved by filing/polishing the nut slots and lubricating ALL points where the string contacts the guitar.


String trees are installed to provide more downward pressure on the nut. This helps with tone and sustain problems on the higher strings on a strat-style headstock. It does not help with tuning at all.

[Mark Robinson]

String trees are band-aids, used to fix buzzing nut slots, more than to fix tuning issues. Tuning issues 90% of the time can be traced back to a poorly cut or too-tall nut.

If you have intonated the instrument via open string and 12th fret comparison, then see how your notes are holding pitch down in the low registers, first fret through 7th etc. If you find sharp tendencies, pretty good chance your nut is too tall. Which would be exactly what I'd expect from a pre-cut nut from Warmoth, they don't know you string preferences etc. Too tall is easy to fix. But get professional help, you will not regret it.

If the tuning stability is noted after bending and bar use, then the nut slots are binding or not angled properly.

Trees won't help either way, keep them off there! They will screw up the trem, and if you can avoid them, you are ahead of the deal.

[Osharan]

Originally Posted by fumbler

+1 most tuning stability problems are caused by poorly cut and/or lubricated nuts.

But let's be clear here: do you mean . .

(1) . . . it can't be made to PLAY in tune? Adjust intonation and the NUT SLOTS MAY BE TOO HIGH and need to be properly cut.

Or do you mean . . .

(2) . . . it won't HOLD proper tuning? This is usually solved by filing/polishing the nut slots and lubricating ALL points where the string contacts the guitar.


String trees are installed to provide more downward pressure on the nut. This helps with tone and sustain problems on the higher strings on a strat-style headstock. It does not help with tuning at all.

The guitar wont hold tuning at all. I guess i need to take a closer look at the nut. I'll probably end up putting them on because the sustain isnt what it should be.

[Osharan]

Also, does anyoneknow where the best spot to place them would be?

[burningyen]

Depends on how tall the tree is, how much vertical drop there is between the nut and the tuner and how much downward pressure you want to put on the nut. You probably won't go wrong using the same tree and placement as Fender.

[FXPedal.com]

Originally Posted by Osharan

Also, does anyoneknow where the best spot to place them would be?

Perhaps stagger-height tuners would be a better solution to the sustain issue. String trees are likely to create more tuning problems. If there's no way around it, try using a tree for just the B and E strings first.

Another area to check is the fulcrum of the bridge. Make certain that the bridge moves freely with the strings and springs off. If it does not the mounting holes may not be straight. If that's the case even a locking nut won't keep the guitar in tune.

[EADGBE]

Originally Posted by Osharan

Also, does anyone know where the best spot to place them would be?

About the same place that Fender puts them. Just make sure you can still use a truss rod wrench if you have to.

[slyzspyz]

is it a two post wilkinson, and are the contact points sharp and clean?

[fr8_trane]

Originally Posted by Osharan

This particular guitar has a tusq nut. Ive lubed the nut and I'm still having problems. Word on the street is that string trees are very helpful with tuning issues but I wasnt completely sure. People seem torn on this subject. I forgot to add that the headstock isnot angled. Hence the possible need for the trees.

Noone is torn on this issue- string trees are not conducive to tuning stability because they add another friction point where the string can bind.

String trees provide down force on the top 2 strings so that the stay in the nut slot and don't sound like a sitar. The string tree on the the D and G strings is almost always unnecessary and can most likely be removed with no ill effect.

Lube EVERY place that the string touches and also lube the trem posts (if you have a 2 post trem). If that doesn't help then you probably have a poorly cut nut.