Floyd Rose Nut Width

[Wizard of Wailing]

    I'm about to pull the trigger on my first Floyd Rose for my next Strat build.  However, I'm confused as to whether to get the R3 or the R4 nut width since they're both for  11/16.  If I get the R4, is my high E going to be
sliding of the fretboard?  Also, if I get the R3, will the strings be noticeably closer than a regular 11/16 nut width?

 

[Cagey]

The difference between the two is the R3 is a 12" radius, while the R4 is a 10". The rest of the specs are the same. If you're using a Warmoth compound radius neck, you want the R4.

There's a chart here you can review if you're interested.

 

[stratamania]

I would say the R4 too. The string spacing is 6.7 mm versus 6.6 on the R3 which is not much difference at all but as Cagey says the R4 is the correct radius.

Also for the compound radius neck to get the bridge radius accurate get some shims.

http://www.axcessories.com/products.asp?cat=25

 

[Cagey]

I said the R4. The R3 is for 12" radius. Compounds start at 10", so you want the R4. String spacing is the same.

 

[stratamania]

I said the R4. The R3 is for 12" radius. Compounds start at 10", so you want the R4. String spacing is the same.

Corrected typos, please excuse my jet lag. There is a .1 mm difference in the spacing which is practically no difference in any case.

http://511e2271871424c2f15c-3b98a00d4daf07766c9421b476b3ba14.r8.cf2.rackcdn.com/FRNUTCONVERSIONCHART2013.pdf

 

[Cagey]

Here's a dimension chart from Floyd Rose for reference purposes if anybody else is interested...

 

[Wizard of Wailing]

    Thanks for the help.  I've never been a huge whammy bar user, but I'm looking forward to using it a ton on this next build.  By the way, my wife and daughter were watching Wayne's World this week and I was reminded of that ridiculous scene where Cassandra is talking about the '64 Strat and comments that it has "3 single coil pickups AND a whammy bar!"  Wow, a Strat with a whammy bar.  What are the odds? 

 

[Wizard of Wailing]

    While I'm on the topic of whammy bars, I'll throw in my two cents for the best use of a whammy bar on a recording.  I've always loved the beginning of Zeppelin's "In The Evening" solo.  Jimmy Page slowly plays an E chord with the bar totally depressed then brings it up as he finishes the chord and it sounds like someone kicking in a door.  I was inspired to build my Warmoth Lake Placid Blue Strat after watching a performance of that song.