String trees

[Pandamasque]

There won’t be enough down pull on the high E and B which means the Notes won’t be clear and will sound dead or muffled, and when you bend the string will pop out of the nut slot.

Except none of this happens on my 3 Fenders, 2 of them with vintage-style non-staggered tuners wound downwards, but only 2-3 winds.

 

[joebtone]

I was pleasantly surprised that on this one, it’s just great without any tree.
Fender locking tuners staggered.
Roasted maple with a 12 radius and a Graphtech nut.
I don’t finish the top of the nut off as low as some people like to do but...I do know that I have the string slots filed right size and height.
And this nut....Not much filing to get it right.
I love Graphtech.

 

[joebtone]

My only reason for not putting on a string tree for the Roasted maple is just ascetics. I think it looks good without.

 

[rocknrollrich]

Can regular tuners,non staggered be used on a Stratocaster without string trees, and what would happen if you did?

Yes and nothing of consequence.

Remove the tree and play. If everything is to your liking, you're all done.
If it's not to your liking, put tree back on.

 

[joebtone]

Yes and nothing of consequence.

Remove the tree and play. If everything is to your liking, you're all done.
If it's not to your liking, put tree back on.

It’s just like shielding then.
Use it, or maybe not...don’t or maybe do...period.
I should just go and practice my playing now...

 

[rocknrollrich]

It’s just like shielding then.
Use it, or maybe not...don’t or maybe do...period.
I should just go and practice my playing now...

Shielding requires a certain level of commitment, time and skill.
A string tree is one screw. You wouldn't even need to change your strings to try it either way.
And practicing your guitar is never bad advice.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Can regular tuners,non staggered be used on a Stratocaster without string trees, and what would happen if you did?

Here's a few pics for reference.
Staggered, no tree

Non staggered, no tree

Non staggered, with trees

All 3 necks are Hwy 1 necks. All 3 have the same strings and set up.

The one with the trees has the nicest bending action.

With the non staggered, no trees the high E and B strings weren't long enough to get lower on the post with the strings going through the body.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Absolutely.
If you learn to eyeball how much string to leave so it winds right to the bottom of the post.
If you hear sympathetic vibrations behind the nut, you're not playing loud enough.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Yes and nothing of consequence.

Remove the tree and play. If everything is to your liking, you're all done.
If it's not to your liking, put tree back on.

No need to remove it.
Just let the string pass over top.
So easy to A/B.
Play with the string under the tree.
Slip the string out of the tree.
Retune.
Play.

 

[fos1]

Every time I scroll past this thread title, I think there are trees that grow strings....

I'm over 70, my mind is funky some times.

 

[rocknrollrich]

No need to remove it.
Just let the string pass over top.
So easy to A/B.
Play with the string under the tree.
Slip the string out of the tree.
Retune.
Play.

Well.... true, but putting them over the string tree would actually raise them up a bit.
But yes you're right, totally easy to A/b.

 

[joebtone]

Shielding requires a certain level of commitment, time and skill.
A string tree is one screw. You wouldn't even need to change your strings to try it either way.
And practicing your guitar is never bad advice.

We will just have to agree to agree.
I don’t find shielding any more challenging than installing a string tree though.
I don’t spend too much time making it look very neat.
On the other hand, an unmarked spot under the strings...I probably spend 20 minutes making sure I marking the right spot to drill.
It would drive me crazy to have it wrong.

 

[CalicoSkies]

Strings don't grow on trees

 

[Oldiemurphy]

I pulled the second tree off my '74 Strat long, long ago. I never noticed a difference and don't have the original any more. But I've decided to replace it just because I'm slowly returning the guitar to quasi-stock (SSS, etc).

 

[Audiowonderland]

There won’t be enough down pull on the high E and B which means the Notes won’t be clear and will sound dead or muffled, and when you bend the string will pop out of the nut slot.

I have never had that happen

 

[Audiowonderland]

Why would a string tree be a binding point? I’ve not really experienced that as a issue with string trees?

Same reason the nut slots are. Friction

 

[Audiowonderland]

If your nut slots are cut properly they won’t need lube.

The need lube. We'll cut reduces, but doesn't eliminate friction

 

[StratoMutt]

String trees?

I prefer a dental floss bush. Easier to harvest.

 

[Fenderbaum]

Just lube your tree

 

[Ebidis]

String trees?

I prefer a dental floss bush. Easier to harvest.

Especially in Montana.