retainer bar

[leftykingv2]

I would recommend not being a fucking retard that would drill out a Jackson head stock. I mean it's not like they don't know what they're doing at Jackson. If it needed a retaining bar it would have came equipped with one.

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Or a 23rd fret....because ya know...."it's not like they don't know what they're doing"....really wtf do you think they are....Gibson??

[Chad]

On the issue of retainer bars, I've grown to not like them. I took the one off my FR Strat and found the sustain did improve sustain a buttload!

Not doubting your experience, but I don't really see how that is possible. Once the nut is locked down, a retainer bar shouldn't be a factor. Unlocked, if it is indeed pushing the strings down further, then it would have an affect on perceived tension/compliance. Whatever the case, if there were any detectible change, I'd think it would be extremely minor at best. But everybody's perception and sensitivity are different.

[leftykingv2]

Or a 23rd fret....because ya know...."it's not like they don't know what they're doing"....really wtf do you think they are....Gibson??

+1 Nice bro!

[leftykingv2]

Not doubting your experience, but I don't really see how that is possible. Once the nut is locked down, a retainer bar shouldn't be a factor. Unlocked, if it is indeed pushing the strings down further, then it would have an affect on perceived tension/compliance. Whatever the case, if there were any detectible change, I'd think it would be extremely minor at best. But everybody's perception and sensitivity are different.

+1 I agree. I don't see how this could make a difference once the nut was locked.

[straycat]

The retainer bar has nothing to do with sustain trust me.
No need to put one on there with the tilt of the headstock.
Find out if it has a correct nut on it first. Some are shorter than others in height.
Shimming the nut on the tuner side I have done with success a few times as long as you don't go too far. a small strip of a post it note on the leading edge should do it.
When using a retainer bar you want the strings parallel with the face of the headstock coming off the tuners back to the retainer bar.

[MetalMedal II]

Lets assume that I am going to do it. Lets assume you can't talk me out of it.

If i wanted to keep the truss cover in use.
If i wanted to lower all six strings.
If i wanted to reduce the hard sideways angle coming off the nut of the lower strings.


How would you recommend I do it?

To meet all 3 criteria, perhaps a Kahler Floyd-style locknut that has a built in stringing tree would fit the bill. This came stock on a Charvel 3DR I had and I thought it was pretty slick. The string guide is on the back end of the nut and is held in w 2 screws. Here’s an Ebay auction of one that has decent photos:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1980s-Kahler-Pat-Pend-Locking-Nut-/141156975330?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20dd9c82e2

I don’t know the naming scheme Kahler uses for the different widths, like the Schaller ones.

[Matt_B]

To meet all 3 criteria, perhaps a Kahler Floyd-style locknut that has a built in stringing tree would fit the bill. This came stock on a Charvel 3DR I had and I thought it was pretty slick. The string guide is on the back end of the nut and is held in w 2 screws. Here’s an Ebay auction of one that has decent photos:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1980s-Kahler-Pat-Pend-Locking-Nut-/141156975330?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20dd9c82e2

I don’t know the naming scheme Kahler uses for the different widths, like the Schaller ones.

Kahler still makes that nut. Just Google Kahler and you'll find their and a list of nut sizes.

[JonSick]

Try it! All I can say is it made a difference!

Not being a physics major I couldn't tell you why.