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Topic: Eliminating String Zing: Was this a good design? Fender 400 |
Leo Grassl
From:
Madison TN
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Posted 3 Mar 2021 6:21 pm |
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I am messing around with a Fender 400. It is a cool little guitar. I’m currently experimenting with a G6th tuning on it. I noticed right away that because there are no changer fingers, Fender utilized roller nuts at the bridge point just past where the strings connect at the ball end. They also used roller nuts at the key head end like most PSGs.
I see one major advantage to this design. With well maintained rollers on both ends you can eliminate the dreaded and unavoidable string zing that eventually happens to all guitars from the string cutting into the changer finger. This zing happens because the string is microscopically slamming into the changer finger just past the bridge point when deep enough grooves are made. I am aware of the proper maintenance for changer fingers when this “zing†becomes an issue but to me it is an undesirable task and probably my least favorite thing about the instrument. I’m also aware that roller nuts can zing too but they are much easier to maintain and are less prone to grooves because you can rotate them. Also they are easily taken out and corrected or replaced where changer fingers are not.
I am wondering if this design has ever been used on any other guitar. Could it be used (and modified of course) to work on a modern guitar without sacrificing tone? Obviously the Fender 400 has a twangy sound of its own and I’m not suggesting to recreate the sound. I’ve attached a picture of the bridge end roller nuts.
Last edited by Leo Grassl on 3 Mar 2021 6:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2021 6:36 pm
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I love my Fenders and the design. I had an old Wright (Wright eventually became Sierra) that had a changer that pulled the string behind rollers. It didn’t sound anything like the Fender. Not sure who else did that.
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Leo Grassl
From:
Madison TN
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Posted 3 Mar 2021 6:42 pm
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Dave,
Thanks for that info on Wright guitars! That’s awesome. Now I’ve got to see one. I wonder if Sierra ever made any other guitars with the rollers in front of the changer?
LG |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2021 7:16 pm
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I'm not an expert but Wrights and Sierras seemed to always be changing and evolving/improving. Not sure how many were like that. I don't think any Sierras have it.....
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Mark Perrodin
From:
Tucson Arizona, USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2021 7:17 pm sierra
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hey Dave,
would you happen to have a pic?
thanks |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2021 7:25 pm
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Hi Mark. I don't have a pic of mine but I found these on the internet....wish it was a better photo but it sure seen like the pulls happen behind rollers...BTW my Wright had cable, not rods
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Leo Grassl
From:
Madison TN
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Posted 4 Mar 2021 9:32 pm
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| Thanks for the pictures and the info Dave. Very cool |
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