string guide on strat. do i need it?

[dudelove]

some strats, like mine have only one, some, like the above picture, have 2.

this is my strats headstock:

as u can see from the pic, the G string looks almost like its on vertical line across the nut. is this normal?

i have ever experienced the string popping out of the nut due to some hardcore bending, and the occasional playing behind the nut, "heartbreaker solo".

is this due to my poor restringing, or the absence of a string guide?

 

[Phil]

I see nothing wrong with your stringing technique.

Headstocks that are not angled, like strats, need string-trees. My super-strat, has two string-trees, so the first four strings are taken care off.

What I'd do in your situation is to either add another string-tree. You can get some string-trees from Zen. But if you're adverse to drilling a small hole on your headstock, maybe you can consider changing the nut. I'd recommend the Graphtech graphite nut, add some mojo and also helps with the aforementioned problem. At least for me, I have to emphasize, YMMV.

Deepening the slot on the nut for the problematic strings is another viable option. But please do not attempt it if you do not have the expertise or feel that you're not up to the task. In such cases, a visit to your local technician pays dividends.

 

[Ratboy]

before doing any non recoverable surgery
you can try restringing the D&G with new strings,
leave more windings on the string post,
so that the string is wounded down the string post more.

The slight increase in angle might help.

 

[dudelove]

The slight increase in angle might help.

wont a string tree/guide do this?

 

[dudelove]

if u realise, eric johnsons custom strat doesnt have any of them at all!

why?

does it interfere with tuning stability?

 

[Ratboy]

wont a string tree/guide do this?

A string tree will do that
But

A) You have to mod the guitar, drill a hole to mount it
which may lower your future resale
If possible, always try the reversable mods first.

B) String tree is another friction point
if not really needed, might as well avoid.

 

[dudelove]

my strat is already quite tampered with already. forget abt resale value.

another friction point, then why is it that my B and E strings still remain in tune well?

better quality string trees like graphtech ones wouldnt cause much of a hassle right?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Electric_guitar:_String_trees_retainers/Graph_Tech_String_Retainers.html

 

[j_m_s]

if u realise, eric johnsons custom strat doesnt have any of them at all!

why?

does it interfere with tuning stability?

Ive never seen them to be a problem.

On the EJ strat, the tuner and tuner holes are staggered. which means some tuners the posts are higher to eliminate the need for the string trees.

 

[Whitestrat]

does it interfere with tuning stability?

Tuning stability is one thing. Tension balance is another. String tension is another concern.

EJ specified this because he's anal about string tension, like everything else.