I'm assuming a string tree will fix this?

Matt300ZXT

Matt300ZXT

Well-known member
I have this GLS Custom Tele that a local guy just outside of Chattanooga built where he takes what is likely Guitar Fetish bodies and necks and puts in decent hardware and sets them up.

It has Tone Rider pickups, a Joe Barden bridge, compensated brass saddles, a compensated brass nut (though the high e has a little sitar'ish ring on open notes) but no string trees, and as you can see, the strings stick up quite a bit. I'm assuming just detuning and lining up where one (or two) should go and installing it will fix that and give me better sound.

Also, even though a friend let me use his tools to level the neck, polish down high spots, etc, after travelling from TN to ME and back to TN and sitting in its case a lot, there are some more notes here and there that are dying out, along with some other guitars that have developed a little of that, so I guess I'm just going to have to buy myself some fret work tools :cautious:

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Even if they are staggered tuners most Strat/Tele necks sound better and have less sitar-like issues with a string tree. Having a decent break angle over the nut makes a difference. I would use the Triple-tree which also gets the G-string. But mount it with the hole between the E and B string, it's designed to go there. Then when you string it up put extra wraps on the D string tuner so it sits lower.
 
I saw where Music City Bridge makes a single hole triple string tree that looks like the flat piece of steel with stamped "humps" in them. I was looking at roller trees or other styles to see if they'd be a beefier design or not, or offer any improvements over the flat steel piece like a lot of Fenders come with from the factory.
 
How does the Joe Barden sound? I've always wanted to try one of his humbuckers.
 
It's a Joe Barden bridge, not bridge pickup, sorry. But I dig it because it has that cutaway on the high e side for the country guys that do the chicken pickin'. Apparently that very edge at the tip gets in their way, so Joe Barden cut it away.

I like the Tone Rider pickups it has, but will probably put in slightly hotter pickups since it'll be my main axe should I be able to get a band off the ground here.
 
I put individual ones on my kxk. Just drilled a tiny hole to make a pilot. Was a fun project. Now i just have guitars with a headstock angle for string break
 
Matt300ZXT said:
I saw where Music City Bridge makes a single hole triple string tree that looks like the flat piece of steel with stamped "humps" in them. I was looking at roller trees or other styles to see if they'd be a beefier design or not, or offer any improvements over the flat steel piece like a lot of Fenders come with from the factory.
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I use these on a couple of guitars. They work great.
 
Wow yeah you need more wraps nephew
Also lock the string when you wind. Worked well when I had hardtails
 
It doesn't sound like your problem is the angle of the strings. It could jut be that nutty nut.
 
Geo said:
It doesn't sound like your problem is the angle of the strings. It could jut be that nutty nut.
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Hey, leave my nut alone lol It's a Fender compensated nut, but I should pop it out one day and just shape the edges so they fit 100% flush and polish it.
 
that nut is kind of janky for a custom builder. I'd figure out that nut as well.
 
Matt300ZXT said:
I saw where Music City Bridge makes a single hole triple string tree that looks like the flat piece of steel with stamped "humps" in them. I was looking at roller trees or other styles to see if they'd be a beefier design or not, or offer any improvements over the flat steel piece like a lot of Fenders come with from the factory.
Click to expand...
That's the Triple tree I was referring to. I put nut sauce on the part of the string that goes under the tree. They come with three different spacers to set the height where you want.
 
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