String Butler.... Finally can use my LP!!!!

[Markedman]

I play aggressively for the most part being the main lead player in the band so I must tune between songs no matter what the fuck guitar I'm using. I use headless guitars mainly but I bought a 20012 LP and I tried bone, brass and tusq xl and the tusq was my favorite. The brass was too much. Too much everything. If you like bright, clear, long sustain, brass is what you want. The nut absolutely affects the whole tone of a guitar, not just when playing open strings. It was so noticeable when I changed from bone to brass, the center of the sound emitting from the unplugged guitar went from the bridge area to the upper mid neck area and was twice the acoustic volume. The Callaham bridge replacement made less of an impact on sound compared to replacing the nut.

Bone and the original nut were dull in comparison to brass, but the tusq was warm, clear and supposedly 5X slipperier than bone for a more stable tuning. The sound was just, right, what I wanted for me. YMMV.

IMO, that tuning stabilizer gizmo is as fugly as a clip-on tuner. Now, get off my lawn! Rant rant!!

 

[7 Stringer]

I play aggressively for the most part being the main lead player in the band so I must tune between songs no matter what the fuck guitar I'm using. I use headless guitars mainly but I bought a 20012 LP and I tried bone, brass and tusq xl and the tusq was my favorite. The brass was too much. Too much everything. If you like bright, clear, long sustain, brass is what you want. The nut absolutely affects the whole tone of a guitar, not just when playing open strings. It was so noticeable when I changed from bone to brass, the center of the sound emitting from the unplugged guitar went from the bridge area to the upper mid neck area and was twice the acoustic volume. The Callaham bridge replacement made less of an impact on sound compared to replacing the nut.

Bone and the original nut were dull in comparison to brass, but the tusq was warm, clear and supposedly 5X slipperier than bone for a more stable tuning. The sound was just, right, what I wanted for me. YMMV.

IMO, that tuning stabilizer gizmo is as fugly as a clip-on tuner. Now, get off my lawn! Rant rant!!

Whatever works for ya man. Me, this fugly gizmo works fucking great. No mods whatsoever, completely removable. And i find it looks pretty good actually.

Before i get off your lawn, i ve got a KTM 500 exc with brand new Michelin S-12 tires.....,,,,,,

 

[chunktone]

A properly cut nut will do the same thing without adding equipment to your LP. If you don't have a good tech around this may be a decent option.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This!

not this!
had nut on my LP replaced my the #1 go to guy in Nashville. The problem is in the headstock design. String Butler corrects by causing the strings to go straight through the nut.

 

[errrrrl]

A properly cut nut will do the same thing without adding equipment to your LP. If you don't have a good tech around this may be a decent option.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This!

not this!
had nut on my LP replaced my the #1 go to guy in Nashville. The problem is in the headstock design. String Butler corrects by causing the strings to go straight through the nut.

I think you are both right and i'm beginning to think that the pending factor is the string gauge. I just restrung my LP R7 last night from 11's to 10's and now I have zero problems... well at least its not even close to how bad it was with 11's on it. It has a new (installed last year) bone nut cut with very slight slants lined up with the strings perfectly.

Just curious for the guys that have no tuning issues, what gauge strings are you using?

 

[paulyc]

I’ve used both .009s and .010s on my Lesters. GHS Boomers. Also the Zakk Wylde GHS sets with the light tops heavy bottom strings.

 

[UltraGary]

A properly cut nut will do the same thing without adding equipment to your LP. If you don't have a good tech around this may be a decent option.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This!

not this!
had nut on my LP replaced my the #1 go to guy in Nashville. The problem is in the headstock design. String Butler corrects by causing the strings to go straight through the nut.

I think you are both right and i'm beginning to think that the pending factor is the string gauge. I just restrung my LP R7 last night from 11's to 10's and now I have zero problems... well at least its not even close to how bad it was with 11's on it. It has a new (installed last year) bone nut cut with very slight slants lined up with the strings perfectly.

Just curious for the guys that have no tuning issues, what gauge strings are you using?

10s, Dean Markley Blue Steels

 

[voodooradio1]

Yup, this thing works fucking great, amazing. Was not using my LP cause of you know what.... Tuning issues. Had this thing for years and it was sitting. Those days are over. The String Butler saved it. And it looks great too. But the main thing is that it works perfectly, beat the hell out if it for the past two hours with zero tuning!!!! Nada. Never happened before. I just ordered 3 more. My 2 Deans which are not that bad but detunes a little. And one for my dad for Christmas for his LP also.

Well worth it if you have a LP or 3+3 headstock designed guit.

Chris

Every time I see one of these I kick myself. I actually made one of these about 12-14 years ago, and instead of being smart, I shared pics on the web. The Butler is def more refined than mine was. Mine used the trussed cover screws to mount, and had rollers that aligned the D and G string only. Worked like a charm though.
I remember thinking that I should improve upon it, but also thought that no one would ever want something like this interfering with the aesthetic of their LP. Guess I was wrong. Please, don't tell me how many millions of these have been sold. I don't think I could take it if it is millions! Lol.

 

[CrazyNutz]

I actually thought about making a metal truss cover with pins in it to do the same thing years ago.

 

[romanianreaper]

So maybe we can agree Gibson gives us shitty nuts, and having shitty nuts is just not pleasant.

This coming from someone named CrazyNutz. LOL!!

Yeah, I'm in the camp that was Les Paul's bitch in the tuning department. They have not all been nightmares, but as mentioned those few that did made me want to throw my guitar mid-gig. The G string being the worst of course with that "ping" noise all of us know when the guitar is getting stuck in the nut.

I like the way those Dean nut slots look. Pretty cool that they adjusted for that. The string tree thing looks cool too! Wondering how long until Gibson steals that and puts it on all of their guitars.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

It took 2 weeks, which is expected coming from overseas during the holidays, but today the black metal version arrived!
Put it on my SG which wasn't dreadful for tuning before, but was never as solid as others (especially the G). This Butler is the real deal, the tuning stability improvement is clear.

I'm getting another one for my LP

 

[tlingen]

If anyone is looking for a couple, let me know. I have two brand new V3's in black and no Les Paul's anymore.

Both are SOLD.

 

[splatter]

Glad you guys found a $50 part to make your $4000 guitars playable Jk. . Well maybe .

Seriously,glad it works for you. Guitars that wont stay in tune are a bitch.

 

[brianiac5150]

FWIW - The acrylic (clear) version comes with paperwork stating not to use "a string gage over 46."

Not an issue for my LP, as that's what I use for standard tuning; however, am installing it and tuning down a half step with .011's and don't think it'll be a big deal. ...just don't recall seeing this note ahead of purchase or I certainly would've went with the metal version. Regardless...looking forward to the results as my 2008 LP Std has the typical G-string ping and is a bit fickle.

If all works well, likely end up with one on my el-cheapo (but rockin') Faded SG.

EDIT: So far, so good... Super easy install.

 

[Kordoba]

I bought my SBs from tlingen up above. Put one on my LP copy and it stays in tune much better.