Extra string retainer on A string?

[JIO]

Fender will not sell them and will not let Hipshot sell them.
I tried to get them from both sources with no luck.
So, instead of whining about it I figured out a way to get buy two of them. Heck, I saved a lot of money doing it my way too. If they did sell them, what would they charge? $50?

As line6man said earlier "It is arguable that a string retainer on the A string is not necessary with a well-cut nut." I believe for the most part he is correct, but my point has more to do w/how the marketing people operate in these corporations - not selling something as simple as a string-guide to sell more of what already exists (a whole set) and is commonly available as if it's something new and special because it also has this separate/additional item. With all due respects to your ingenuity, why should I or anyone have to go through buying and reselling a set of tuners just to get one? And frankly, if something like that sold for $50 - it wouldn't sell - end of story. Like you ended up, I would pay $12 for one and they would sell many at that price. What's so difficult about that?

 

[Pilgrim]

If the strings are wound correctly on the tuning post, that second string retainer is not necessary.

 

[JIO]

If the strings are wound correctly on the tuning post, that second string retainer is not necessary.

Agreed - w/a straight barreled post (as on older/vintage) Fender tuners it is easy to get the strings hugging the washer. However, w/the fluted pegs so commonly appearing on tuners - that is not an option as it forces the string toward the center of the flute.

 

[dewolfe03]

Simple use of buttons.
View attachment 436201

I've seen quite a few basses that are set up like this. Most after market mods but some were built like this. I did it to my fortress because of the low tension flats I use. It helps but isn't necessary in most cases.

 

[dabbler]

... With all due respects to your ingenuity, why should I or anyone have to go through buying and reselling a set of tuners just to get one? And frankly, if something like that sold for $50 - it wouldn't sell - end of story. Like you ended up, I would pay $12 for one and they would sell many at that price. What's so difficult about that?

Probably because someone in their marketing department determined there was more profit in only selling full sets of tuners (IOW, not enough volume for that one part to be worth it). But if you can prove them wrong, I guarantee you they will do it.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Probably because someone in their marketing department determined there was more profit in only selling full sets of tuners (IOW, not enough volume for that one part to be worth it). But if you can prove them wrong, I guarantee you they will do it.

That information is out of date - the Fender stealth retainers have been available separately for over a year now. I added them to the low B on all of my P5s. There's a thread in Setup with details on who sells them.

 

[dabbler]

That information is out of date - the Fender stealth retainers have been available separately for over a year now. I added them to the low B on all of my P5s. There's a thread in Setup with details on who sells them.

Oooops! Sorry for being uninformed. Thanks for the info!

 

[40Hz]

I prefer a properly designed headstock that does not need such things

An angled headstock introduces its own issues, so it's no more a "proper" design, in and of itself, than a non-angled headstock with a string tree.

As long as the design gets you the requisite string break over the nut, it doesn't really matter which way you do it. And both methods have their pros and cons.

 

[blowinblue]

An angled headstock introduces its own issues, so it's no more a "proper" design, in and of itself, than a non-angled headstock with a string tree.

As long as the design gets you the requisite string break over the nut, it doesn't really matter which way you do it. And both methods have their pros and cons.

Nice to see this thread come back to life. I've read this viewpoint elsewhere on the internet. My experience has convinced me that an angled headstock with no retainers gives superior string-to-string balance in the areas of tone and volume, along with less friction when tuning. And it can be done with a Fender-shaped headstock as the pic of my P-bass shows. All of my basses have angled headstocks.

M. M.

 

[40Hz]

Nice to see this thread come back to life. I've read this viewpoint elsewhere on the internet. My experience has convinced me that an angled headstock with no retainers gives superior string-to-string balance in the areas of tone and volume, along with less friction when tuning. And it can be done with a Fender-shaped headstock as the pic of my P-bass shows. All of my basses have angled headstocks.

Can't say I've ever noticed that. Especially as regards tone. (Contrast that with a zero fret, which has a measurable effect on string tone - and don't get me started. ) But by the same token, I probably haven't played the same basses you have for comparison. Suffice to say that there are many approaches to the issue. And a properly executed design that handles said issue is a 'good' design, regardless of which approach it ultimately takes to address it. You can do a poorly executed angled headstock as easily (or maybe even more easily) than you can do a poorly done straight one.

@blowinblue - for the record, I prefer angled headstocks. Mainly because I think they're easier to tune and more elegant looking. Also smaller in a 2x2 or 3x2 configuration. (I'm not crazy about big honkin' headstocks.) But I can't say I've ever noticed they contribute to better volume balance between strings or a superior tone. But maybe I just haven't listened carefully enough. Definitely gonna have to do some critical listening in the not too distant future. I've got 10 basses, with a pretty even split of angled to straight headstocks, by seven different makers. So there's plenty of instruments I've got to do comparisons with. Thx for piquing my curiosity! )

 

[HeavyDuty]

Oooops! Sorry for being uninformed. Thanks for the info!

No, it was true when it was first posted here - but Fender finally got them into their parts line.

 

[Petethebassman]

I've never found any need for an extra string retainer for A string, note the extra wraps on the A string, also I wind the string as low as possible on the tuner post - no open string buzz. On a bass with cone-shaped tuner post it's another story - I won't buy a bass with those.

 

[Psychbunny]

Is there anyone here who does this? Is this even necessary?View attachment 436120

My Gibson's do not need an A string retainer but I traded an American Special in because of A string problems, I bought an American Deluxe a few weeks ago with the "stealth retainer" and it plays like butter. I have no Idea why fender doesn't do this on all of their basses. I used to have a Godin Freeway 4 that had a nice A string retainer and it worked well. This is such a simple resolution to a common problem on non angled peg heads I do not know why it isn't an industry standard. My 2 cents is that it absolutely necessary and while you can usually eliminate the need by coiling a ton of extra string around the peg why would you want to do this if there is an easy, permanent fix.

 

[Kee]

They are made by Hipshot, but they do not sell them to the public.
You can buy them on eBay from the stratsphere.
I got one for the B string on my P5 and one for the A string on my Jazz.

Thanks,
I just found some on Amazon too!
Peace

 

[LightningBug]

I had a very bad A string buzz on my P Bass and was able to solve it by going up a string gauge. The break angle problem can be exacerbated by the nut slot being cut a bit too wide. I had purchased a second string retainer and was about to install it when I decided to try a thicker string at the last minute, hoping it would sit more snugly at the nut. That did the trick. If a beefier string isn’t a deal breaker for you, definitely try this before you drill any holes in your headstock!