rauchman
Hero Member
- Messages
- 978
Greetings,
For my latest build, I had purchased 2 necks with the idea of modifying the neck heel and also using a trem. I've only done 2 builds to date and have modified the neck heel on both.
Neck 1 was a Vintage / Modern Warhawk roasted maple with an LSR nut route. Shortly after this purchase, decided I want to try a Tiltback 24.75" conversion neck, just because
Neck 2 was a Tiltback Strat roasted maple/ebony board with a TusqXL nut. The Tiltback was purchased as a way to get around the side/heel adjust truss access, and still shape a modified neck heel with a conversion neck.
Both necks received Hipshot locking tuners (straight for the Tilback and staggered for the Warhawk). Bridge is a Wilkinson VS100.
On the original completion test, was using the Tiltback. When using the trem, it was not even close in tuning stability. Really really off. Was very disappointed with the results for trem usage. Love this neck though. They are both Standard Thin, but the feel is a touch different between the 2.
I switched to the Warhawk neck, installed the LSR nut, and tuning stability is fantastic (by the way, the cut for the LSR nut was deeper than the shims allowed for in the kit. Had to order some sleeves of brass shim material at various thicknesses. Added a couple of layers of brass in, and then shims, and now....perfect!)
So, some questions....
Can the Tiltback nut be cut to alleviate the bad tuning stability?
Is there a technique specific to cutting a tilt back headstock nut that I should follow that would allow for tuning stability equivalent to a straightback headstock?
Is the lack of tuning stability common on tiltback necks?
As a last resort, can the neck be sent back to Warmoth to have a Floyd Rose nut milled?
For the life of me, I can't understand why tuning stability would be so bad with a Tiltback Strat neck. There is no lateral splaying of the strings from the nut to the tuner like a Gibson Explorer, Jackson, Warmoth Vortex or Warmoth headstock. It's a straightline from the nut to the tuner The downward pressure across the nut is evenly spread and at an even angle. I've researched and unfortunately, no one makes an LSR type nut for a tiltback or Gibson pattern headstock. A German did a couple of years ago, but no longer.....sigh.
If there is a frustration that I have with Warmoth, it is the side adjust mechanism that comes with the Modern construction necks, as it doesn't allow for a modified neck heel. After doing 2 guitars with this mod, I can't go back. I pick up my Strat every once in a while and that corner digs into the palm of my fretting hand when in the upper register. I don't play the Strat much anymore. I understand a Modern construction neck can be ordered without the side adjust, but it's an upcharge of $45 and trussrod access is then only at the heel....ughhh. I would already be building a 7/8 setup if there was an option for a Vintage / Modern or Modern with headstock trussrod access, neck option. Sighhhh
For my latest build, I had purchased 2 necks with the idea of modifying the neck heel and also using a trem. I've only done 2 builds to date and have modified the neck heel on both.
Neck 1 was a Vintage / Modern Warhawk roasted maple with an LSR nut route. Shortly after this purchase, decided I want to try a Tiltback 24.75" conversion neck, just because
Neck 2 was a Tiltback Strat roasted maple/ebony board with a TusqXL nut. The Tiltback was purchased as a way to get around the side/heel adjust truss access, and still shape a modified neck heel with a conversion neck.
Both necks received Hipshot locking tuners (straight for the Tilback and staggered for the Warhawk). Bridge is a Wilkinson VS100.
On the original completion test, was using the Tiltback. When using the trem, it was not even close in tuning stability. Really really off. Was very disappointed with the results for trem usage. Love this neck though. They are both Standard Thin, but the feel is a touch different between the 2.
I switched to the Warhawk neck, installed the LSR nut, and tuning stability is fantastic (by the way, the cut for the LSR nut was deeper than the shims allowed for in the kit. Had to order some sleeves of brass shim material at various thicknesses. Added a couple of layers of brass in, and then shims, and now....perfect!)
So, some questions....
Can the Tiltback nut be cut to alleviate the bad tuning stability?
Is there a technique specific to cutting a tilt back headstock nut that I should follow that would allow for tuning stability equivalent to a straightback headstock?
Is the lack of tuning stability common on tiltback necks?
As a last resort, can the neck be sent back to Warmoth to have a Floyd Rose nut milled?
For the life of me, I can't understand why tuning stability would be so bad with a Tiltback Strat neck. There is no lateral splaying of the strings from the nut to the tuner like a Gibson Explorer, Jackson, Warmoth Vortex or Warmoth headstock. It's a straightline from the nut to the tuner The downward pressure across the nut is evenly spread and at an even angle. I've researched and unfortunately, no one makes an LSR type nut for a tiltback or Gibson pattern headstock. A German did a couple of years ago, but no longer.....sigh.
If there is a frustration that I have with Warmoth, it is the side adjust mechanism that comes with the Modern construction necks, as it doesn't allow for a modified neck heel. After doing 2 guitars with this mod, I can't go back. I pick up my Strat every once in a while and that corner digs into the palm of my fretting hand when in the upper register. I don't play the Strat much anymore. I understand a Modern construction neck can be ordered without the side adjust, but it's an upcharge of $45 and trussrod access is then only at the heel....ughhh. I would already be building a 7/8 setup if there was an option for a Vintage / Modern or Modern with headstock trussrod access, neck option. Sighhhh