Waffling on a telecaster body

[Danuda]

My current build plan was a telecaster body, rear route with two humbuckers (Phat Cat p90's) and a tele neck.  I was going to do the body in a silver and have nickel hardware (fixed bridge).  I am a little uncertain of string trees though and have been wondering a couple of things.
Would a tele body look wierd with the warmoth neck?  I could do that for a little bit extra and then I would not have to worry about it.
Or should i just go with a rear route strat body with the warmoth neck?
Am I being overly concerned with the string tree thing?

 

[bigguspickus]

Is it the look of the string trees that bothers you, or a concern about the strings popping off the nut, or binding on the trees when tuning?

 

[Danuda]

It isn't the look of string trees.  They are not that notticeable.  I just have no experience with using them at all.  I am worried about using them because I am used to angled heads with no trees.  String trees just sound like a pain in the neck, but I may be looking to much into it.

 

[bagman67]

Have you considered staggered tuners on the standard telecaster headstock?  I have no experience with them, but someone on this board is bound to pop off with their own war stories about them (good or bad).

Bagman

 

[JaySwear]

i've seen a couple angled telecaster headstocks in the showcase. i think they were kind of a 1-off, but they might be able to do that again if you give them a call. the other option might be to pick out a nice angled strat neck and pay the $45 to reshape the headstock to a telecaster. i know they'll do that for straight headstocks, so i would think they might for angled!

anyway, an angled telecaster headstock would definitely look a little strange, but it would eliminate any worry about string trees. but my telecaster deluxe has a straight strat headstock on it and has no string trees. as far as i can tell it doesn't need them! i still have a couple laying around just in case i hear a weird overtone one day or something, but for now it's string tree free

 

[Jusatele]

with fender style necks haveing been used for 60 so years, I would think if there was a problem with string trees we would know it by now
I have no problem with them.

 

[drewfx]

Depending on the tuners, nut, string tension, and how you play (do you bend up near the nut often?), string trees are not necessarily required. Staggered or locking tuners with a properly shaped nut are unlikely to require string trees.

But regardless, I wouldn't consider the string tree issue a good reason to select a neck style you wouldn't otherwise pick.

 

[Danuda]

Sounds like I am making more of it than I should.  Time to get my parts ordered then.  :hello2:

 

[tfarny]

Trees are a non issue. I have no idea why everyone hates them so much, they correct for the design flaw inherent in the non angled neck. Roller or barrel types are best, put a touch of pencil lead where the string contacts it just for peace of mind. Your tuning problems are in the nut.

 

[Cagey]

I always use straight headstocks, and I don't use string trees. I've never had a problem. But, you do need a properly configured professionally made nut, not some half-assed basement job. Locking tuners are good because they don't need several wraps of string, and if they're staggered, so much the better. Although, some sets are now coming with all the pegs short, rather than gradually decreasing in height. Those are fine, too.

What's the worst thing that can happen if you don't install the trees? You'll find the high strings popping out of their slots. If that's the case and you decide not to put on a good nut, then adding a string tree is a 5 minute job, if that. Drill a tiny hole and screw one in.

 

[tfarny]

Actually adding trees can give you increased sustain because the string is properly held in the nut by downward pressure, as well as eliminating side to side movement that may or may not be easily noticeable. It allows you to widen the nut slot so the string can move across the nut as notes are played and bent. Adding trees can increase the sustain of a guitar that doesn't have any "problems" at all. I've experimented with this on my own guitars and am convinced you are better off with trees or an angled neck.