LSR Roller Nut, what do you think?

[TaZMaNiO]

I don't own a guitar with a roller nut, but I'm looking at one...

Does this thing hurt the tone

 

[Unburst]

I've never liked any guitar with rollers on it.

A straight string pull and well cut nut will get you just as good tuning stability with way more tone.

 

[Reeek]

Originally posted by Unburst
A straight string pull and well cut nut will get you just as good tuning stability with way more tone.

+1 on that

 

[afterosmosis]

I have one on my partsocaster, never really noticed it altering the tone too much. I like it just fine.

 

[GCDEF]

I didn't really notice any difference, either in tone or tuning stability. It certainly didn't hurt anything, but I don't know that it helped much either.

 

[mbratch]

I've used the roller nut on my Strat for years. Tone and resonance has been excellent.

My gripe with them, though, is that there's a hard limit on string guage. You can't file them out to take larger guage strings if you want to exceed their normal maximum.

Not sure about how much effect it has on tuning stability. I haven't had tuning stability issues with the rollers. But, I think other factors might outweigh the effect of the nut as long as the strings you are using fit properly in whatever kind of nut you are using.

 

[Reeek]

Originally posted by mbratch
I've used the roller nut on my Strat for years. Tone and resonance has been excellent.

My gripe with them, though, is that there's a hard limit on string guage. You can't file them out to take larger guage strings if you want to exceed their normal maximum.

Not sure about how much effect it has on tuning stability. I haven't had tuning stability issues with the rollers. But, I think other factors might outweigh the effect of the nut as long as the strings you are using fit properly in whatever kind of nut you are using.

That's a good, objective observation. My comment above was more directed toward a good string pull and well set up nut, not so much about the tone sappage.

 

[Moat]

I have a hard time imagining an LSR would make any appreciable difference in tone, with other than open notes (i.e. - when fretted). And I've noticed little/no tonal difference between open/fretted notes, on the Strats I've owned with 'em (not that they were stellar sounding Starts to begin with, tho).

I DO like them, as I prefer a low nut action, and they are simple to set height (using supplied shims). Since I use trem quite a bit, LSR's alleviate the concern of a little nut slot wear causing string rattle, due to the low action. Consistent, stable, reliable - just what I need in a working guitar.

 

[Mark Kane]

If it's a Jeff Beck the nut doesn't hurt the tone as much as the bridge.

 

[Slipjack]

My girlfriend's Dad has one on all of his guitars. He loves them. They are all super low action, they stay in tune very well, and the tone sounds like the tone of any other guitar.

He's sold me on them. Now I just need to break down and buy a couple.

 

[mbratch]

Originally posted by Old Tele man
...it's just something mechanical to "go wrong" eventually...

They aren't that complicated. Mine's been working since 1991 with no problems or noticeable wear.

 

[Moat]

I agree, mbratch. I've played LSR equipped Strats for roughly 1000 gigs in the last 8 yrs., with no issues whatsoever... and I can't say the same for my more traditional nut-equipped guitars.

 

[Radax]

I've had a dozen LSR Strats with no tone issues at all.
Mike

 

[HarryJ]

I'm considering one for my Warmoth.
I currently have a graphtech nut, locking tuners with a Gotoh 1088 and callaham block

The tone is great, the feel of the bar is also great, but the 6th, and 3rd string always goes 'bout a 1/4 tone sharp after using the bar... I'm not talkin' abuse here... not the dive type of guy.

I have tried various lubes, and the nut seems to be cut right

Wondering if this may help

Harry Jacobson
www.harryj.net