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You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Guitar - General > locking nut?
Expert: Dave Dixon - 10/28/2009
Question
Can I put a locking nut on my Squier 60's vibe??
I use a lot of violent tremolo but I don't have
the floyd rose.. any suggestions? thanks alot. -tj
Answer
Hi TJ,
Thanks for your question.
You probably could fit a locking nut to your guitar but there some other options which, if I were you, I'd try before fitting a locking nut.
Make sure that the string slots on your existing nut are cut correctly for the gague of strings that you use, and try adding some lubrication to the nut slots in the form of either graphite (rub a soft pencil in the slots before restringing the guitar) or some light oil (such as sewing machine oil - silicone-based spray lubricants such as WD40 aren't really suitable).
If that doesn't work, then another option is to get a normal style nut made from a low friction material, such as graphite. Get the string slots in the nut cut correctly for the gauge of strings that you use, so that they can move freely.
If you're still not happy after that, then maybe the time has come to get a locking nut fitted.
The reason that I suggest leaving the locking nut option to last is that fitting a locking nut is an "invasive" operation that will involve drilling holes through your guitar neck - something which I think should be avoided if possible as (a) it can weaken the neck, (b) it could affect the re-sale value of your guitar as it's pretty much a permanent modification.
As ever, if you aren't confident about doing work on your guitar yourself, then it's worth paying a professional guitar repairer to do the job properly.
Cheers,
Dave
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