Minor happiness

This is one of the Strats I own which feature a default string retainer. As depicted above, the retainer itself comes into contact with the headstock surface. If you are re-stringing your guitar, you need to press the strings down to release it from the retainer's catch. Scratching the headstock surface is inevitable.

Simple solution - purchase a spacer that helps elevate the retainer off the headstock surface. It might affect the vintage vibe of the instrument but this is the least of my worries; I am more interested with problem-solving.

Essential 31 (2)

At this price point, a guitar of this nature necessitated a compromise when it comes to areas that can indeed tolerate a compromise. The string retainer of the AZES31 is not the rounded version, the one equipped in the Premium / Prestige selections.  Seen here are the budget M / butterfly style retainers & they are asymmetrical to address the non-staggered tuning shafts. If you've missed it, the ones in the Premium / Prestige models are the staggered version; the reason why only one is needed. 

I have swapped them out for this Gotoh pair. If you are interested, the specific model reference is seen above. What's the big deal? The rounded retainers are devoid of sharp edges & would decrease the likelihood of strings snapping at this end. These are available at Davis GMC. 

Antigua (2)

Nothing major but worth the trouble. I've swapped out the default M-type string tree (L) for the rounded version (R). Fender equips the American models (less the vintage/ era-specific models) with the latter. I prefer the rounded version as it does not snag the string during tuning, giving it smooth travel & a more effective response. 

If you are interested, these are the ones. Can't remember how much (should be slightly more than $10), bought them when SV Guitars still had a store front at Peninsula Hotel. 

Ibanez: The retainer returns

Another Ibanez RG in the manufacturer's catalog (RG2570). But note the following:

• Ibanez re-installed the string retainer at the headstock plus no sliding truss rod cover
• This is a Prestige model but no 'Prestige' label there at the headstock
• OK, so they did an alder body for this one.

Minor changes

I actually take pride in doing minor facelifts to my instruments.

As for my Bacchus here, it's a string retainer replacement, from the vintage type to the more contemporary rounded type. Reason being- rounded retainers don't snag tuning as much & they don't cut into the string surface which might contribute to breakage (especially for rusty/corroded strings).

Fender: TL Rose- string retainer

 

That's how the original string retainer looks like; it's the vintage type with a very steep break angle, it sat flushed against the surface. I couldn't slip the strings sideways, the string must be threaded through so this increases the chances of the surface being scratched.

When it comes to 'Fender', many of us are bent on keeping the features original but I simply can't stand the fact that such details offer me nothing in terms owner attachment; it makes me feel really dumb having something there which I did not approve of. So that string retainer, however 'true' it was to its original incarnation, made way for the more contemporary Fender American Standard version; the rounded contact surface means tuning is smooth & snag free.

Rollers

This is a light make-over...

... the default string retainer replaced with a roller version. For guitars with non-locking appointments, tuning stability could be stabilized if one addresses the instrument's points of contact with the strings, namely the bridge saddles, nut, string retainer & machine heads. In addition to lubricating my string saddles & nut slots, I make it a point to reduce friction at the string retainer so this is a simple improvement that works (for me). Guitar in this pic: LTD TE-212.

LTD: ST213 simple make-over

Gave my ST213 a simple make-over; a new string retainer- the rounded type. This one is devoid of sharp edges for a smoother, snag-free tuning. Available at TYMC: $3...

Sonic retainer

My first tinkering for 2011..

...is the swapping of my (Squier) Duo-Sonic string retainer. I have the rounded version in place of the former, 'vintage' version. The rounder version is more responsive to tuning, it is also devoid of sharp edges so it reduces the chances of string snapping at this part of the headstock.

Fender... oops?

Just hours ago, my friend, Rosli, was at my residence. He was here for me to try & figure out why his high E string kept popping out of the retainer every time he whammies his bridge. This happened even after the nut of his Floyd Rose equipped Fender Highway 1 Showmaster Strat, was locked tight. He is also baffled by the fact the bridge itself suffers from over-projection every time he tried to tune his guitar.

After a closer look, the string-popping mystery was an easy problem to deal with; Fender actually equipped the guitar with a retainer of the wrong length as depicted above (A). I compared it to the spare I bought for my Ibanez RG guitar (B) & the difference was rather obvious. Easy solution for an easy problem.

Moving on to the bridge over-projection issue, I tuned the guitar accordingly & indeed saw the anomaly myself. So I thought a quick tightening of the whammy spring screws at the rear body cavity would do the trick but even after doing so, the problem persisted. This was when I decided to feel the strings & that's the cause of it all- the strings in there were a set of .010s. So the quick string replacement (the guitar now has a set of Fender .009s in it) & corrective tuning took place. Rosli wanted a slightly higher action to rid the guitar of that shred-action buzzing & he got his wish. But while at it, the rosewood fretboard got re-moisturized as well; the upper fret vicinity was rather dry. I expected it to be so because this guitar could be in storage for years; the reason it looks untouched & in splendid physical condition. 

I simply like how the guitar's default humbuckers reacted to high distortion settings; it's rather obvious they were conceived to rock. The instrument's build is also solid & blemish-free; how that wrong retainer bar got through was quite a mystery.

String tree

One of the causes of tuning instability is the string retainer/ string tree/ string guide over at the headstock. This hardware is installed in this part of the instrument namely because the headstock is not an angled make ala Fender. Traditional string trees are that of the 'M' type, the one you see undone in the pic above. This design is rather crude & causes snags upon tuning. I've changed my default Smash's string tree to that of the circular/ roller type to reduce friction hence making tuning more responsive.

Q: Is this the ultimate cure for tuning-related problems?
A: No. This contraption is a mere enhancement. If your guitar's nut isn't cut/ slotted well, that should be addressed first.

Q: Can I install this in my guitar?
A: Of course you can but bring along your default string tree to the stores to match it with a replacement of the same width.