
Photo 1
Do the open strings buzz or sound wimpy on your Fender-style guitar? Maybe the problem lies at the headstock.
String trees are tiny and often go unnoticed, but they play a vital role on flat, Fender-style headstocks. Also called string retainers or guides, they secure the first two (or sometimes four) strings between the nut and tuners. Photo 1 shows a guitar configured with two “butterfly" string trees holding down the top four strings.
On both guitar and bass, a string tree's primary function is to provide the correct amount of downward pressure on a string so it doesn't rattle and buzz within its nut slot. This downward pressure also ensures that a string will sustain properly when played open. If an open string isn't securely seated in its slot—essentially pinned down the way you'd press a string against a fret—it won't sound as loud or clear as it should.
Whether or not a guitar or bass requires string retainers is determined by how its headstock is constructed. For example, Gibson headstocks tilt back at an angle from the fretboard, and this angle is sufficient to create the necessary downward pressure to keep strings firmly seated in their slots en route to the tuner posts. By contrast, Strats, Teles, and most other guitars with six-in-a-row tuners have flat headstocks that run parallel to the fretboard. On these headstocks, the strings that have to travel the longest distance from the nut to the tuner posts need hardware to create this essential downward pressure.
A string tree's primary function is to provide the correct amount of downward pressure on a string so it doesn't rattle and buzz within its nut slot.
A string tree's primary function is to provide the correct amount of downward pressure on a string so it doesn't rattle and buzz within its nut slot.
Most of us never think twice about string trees until there's a problem. I've already described one—the rattle or sitar-like buzz that results from insufficient downward pressure behind the nut. But if a string tree creates excessive pressure, this can cause premature wear in the affected nut slots and also create tuning issues. And here's another consideration: If you have a whammy bar, certain types of string trees can interfere with the string returning to pitch after you release the bar.
To summarize, string trees can help or hinder your guitar's performance. Let's take a closer look and discuss ways to deal with potential problems.
Design and construction. String trees come in a variety of materials and styles. Most are metal, like the butterfly, disk, and barrel types found on Fender guitars. The metal trees will work, but if you do a lot of bending or use a whammy bar, you'll probably experience tuning problems. Why? Every time the string changes tension against the tree, the metal-to-metal contact creates friction that can cause the string to hang slightly at this point of contact.
Photo 2
To reduce friction—and thus improve tuning stability—you have two options: use a string tree made from a slippery material such as graphite (Photo 2), or install a string tree with built-in rollers that turn with the string as you bend or use the whammy bar (Photo 3).
Photo 3
Both types of retainers accomplish the goal of reducing metal-to-metal friction. I've had great success with Graph Tech string trees, which are made from a synthetic material impregnated with a Teflon-like lubricant, and roller string trees from All Parts.
What's your angle, man? The amount of downward pressure a string tree creates is determined by its location and how high it sits off the headstock. Assuming an identical location, a lower retainer—one that's close to the headstock—will create a steeper angle between it and the nut than a retainer that sits higher off the headstock. Getting the correct angle is critical for avoiding wear (too steep an angle) or sonic artifacts (too shallow an angle).
Photo 4
For a guitar equipped with a single string tree to hold the 1st and 2nd strings, the angle between the retainer and nut should be about the same as the angle between the nut and 6th-string tuner (Photo 4). For guitars that require a second string tree for the 3rd and 4th strings, the angle should approximate that of the 5th string.
Many string trees sit on a separate post or standoff spacer that determines the retainer's height. The attachment screw passes through this washer-like cylinder and goes into the headstock (Photo 5). When the post is a separate piece from the section that actually holds the strings, you can adjust the retainer's height—thereby controlling the string angle—by inserting a shorter or taller spacer.
If the string angle is too shallow and you have a removable metal or plastic spacer, you can increase the angle buy sanding or filing the spacer to reduce its height. Alternatively, you can substitute a shorter spacer: Electronic supply companies sell standoffs for PC boards, and some enterprising guitarists adapt the ball-ends of bass strings for this purpose. Stacking small washers can work too. Whether you need to go up or down, it shouldn't be too hard to adjust the height of your string tree by either modifying it or swapping it out.
Photo 5
Replacing the string tree. If you opt to upgrade to a roller or graphite retainer, it's a very simple project. All you need is a small or medium tip Philips head screwdriver. Lift the strings out from the retainer, remove it, screw the new one in place, and you're done. You might encounter small variations in screw size and threading, but most manufacturers use a consistent size. You can use your original screw if it's in good condition and fits the new retainer.
First-time installation. If you're installing a string tree on a headstock that's never had one—on a replacement neck, for example—string up the guitar and lay the new tree on the corresponding strings, midway between the nut and closest tuner. Confirm the strings are lined up evenly and then, with the screw in place, press down on the tree so the screw makes a small indentation in the headstock. This indentation should lie exactly between the two strings. Use it as a guide for drilling the mounting screw hole.
Start with a pilot hole, using a very small bit. For the screw hole proper, be sure to choose the correct drill bit—it should be slightly smaller than the screw. Measure everything twice, go slowly, and be careful how deep you drill—you don't want to drill completely through the headstock! Before installing the screw, lubricate its threads with a bar of soap or candle wax.
Inserting a delicate screw into a hard maple headstock requires skill, so don't attempt to install a new string tree unless you have the right tools and experience. If you're unsure about your abilities, take the guitar to a qualified repair tech or luthier.
Goodbye string trees. Some manufacturers offer locking tuners with staggered posts. Intended to create the required string angle on a six-in-line headstock without using string trees, staggered posts start out at a normal height for the 6th string and then gradually reduce height, which puts the shortest post furthest from the nut. Depending on the geometry of your headstock, you may be able to eliminate string trees altogether by using these tuners, but the only way to know for sure is to install them and see if you experience any of the sitar sounds or sustain issues that come from having too shallow an angle on your top strings. In most cases, you probably won't need string trees if you have staggered tuners.
- Bass Bench: Tuning Stability - Premier Guitar ›
- Tone Tips: A Working Guitarist's Arsenal - Premier Guitar ›
- How to Convert Your Axe to a Baritone - Premier Guitar ›
- Does String Gauge Really Matter? Of Course, But... - Premier Guitar ›
- Tone Tips: Maximizing Tuning Stability - Premier Guitar ›
Bergantino revolutionizes the bass amp scene with the groundbreaking HP Ultra 2000 watts bass amplifier, unlocking unprecedented creative possibilities for artists to redefine the boundaries of sound.
Bergantino Audio Systems, renowned for its innovative and high-performance bass amplification, is proud to announce the release of the HP Ultra 2000W Bass Amplifier. Designed for the professional bassist seeking unparalleled power and tonal flexibility, the HP Ultra combines cutting-edge technology with the signature sound quality that Bergantino is known for.
Operating at 1000W with an 8-ohm load and 2000W with a 4-ohm load, the HPUltra offers exceptional headroom and output, ensuring a commanding presence on stage and in the studio. This powerhouse amplifier is engineered to deliver crystal-clear sound and deep, punchy bass with ease, making it the perfect choice for demanding performances across any genre.
The HP Ultra incorporates the same EQ and feature set as the acclaimedBergantino Forté HP series, offering advanced tonal control and versatility. It includes a highly responsive 4-band EQ, Bergantino’s signature Variable RatioCompressor, Lo-Pass, and Hi-Pass Filters, and a re-imagined firmware that’s optimally tuned for the HP Ultra’s power module. The intuitive user interface allows for quick adjustments and seamless integration with any rig, making it an ideal solution for both seasoned professionals and rising stars.
As compared to previous forte HP iterations (HP, HP2, HP2X), Ultra is truly its own amp. Its behavior, feel, and tonal capabilities will be well noted for bass players seeking the ultimate playing experience. If you’ve been wishing for that extreme lead sled-type heft/force and punch, along with a choice of modern or vintage voicings, on-board parallel compressor, overdrive; high pass and lowpass filters, and more—all in a 6.9 lb., 2ru (8” depth) package...the BergantinoHP Ultra is worth checking out.
Building on the forte’ HP2X’s leading edge platform (including a harmonic enriching output transformer (X) and 3.5db of additional dynamic headroom (2),the HP Ultra’s power focus is not about playing louder...it’s about the ability to play fuller and richer at similar or lower volumes. Many players will be able to achieve a very pleasing bass fill, with less volume, allowing the guitars and vocals to shine thru better in a dense mix. This in turn could easily contribute to a lower stage volume...win-win!
Key Features of the Bergantino HP Ultra 2000W Bass Amplifier:
- Power Output: 1000W @ 8ohms / 2000W @ 4ohms, 1200W RMS @2-Ohms (or 1700W RMS @2.67-Ohms-firmware optimizable via USB
- Dual Voicing Circuits: offer a choice between vintage warmth and modern clarity.
- Custom Cinemag Transformer: elevates harmonic enrichment to new heights
- Variable Low-Pass (VLPF) and Variable High-Pass (VHPF) filters, critical for precise tone shaping and taming of the most challenging gigging environments.
- 4-Band Tone Controls: Bass: +/-10db @40hz, Lo-Mid:+/-10db @250hz,Hi-Mid: +/-10db @ 1khz, Treble: +/-10db @ 3.5khz
- Punch Switch: +4db @110hz
- Bright Switch: +7db @7kHz or +6db @2khz – user selectable● Built-in parallel compression - VRC
- 3.5dB of additional dynamic headroom
- New Drive Circuit featuring our proprietary B.S.D (Bergantino SmartDrive) technology
- Auxiliary Input and Headphone Jack: for personal monitor and practice
- Rack Mountable with optional rack ears
- Effects send and return loop
- Studio quality Direct Output: software selectable Pre or Post EQ
- UPS – Universal power supply 115VAC – 240VAC 50/60Hz
- Weight: 6.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.25”W x 8.375”D x 3.75”H
- Street Price: $1895.00
For more information, please visit bergantino.com
The NEW Bergantino Forté HP ULTRA!!! - YouTube
Featuring a 25.5" scale length, mahogany body, gold hardware, and 490R/498T pickups. Stand out with the unique design and comfortable playing experience of the Gibson RD Custom.
Initially released in 1977, the Gibson RD model has been a cult classic for years. It is famous for its unique appearance, which takes inspiration from both the Gibson Explorer and Firebird designs, as well as its functionality and use by several popular guitarists across multiple genres.
Now, the iconic RD Custom joins the Gibson Custom core lineup for the first time. Not only is this the first Custom Shop-built RD model, but it is also the first 25.5” scale length solidbody core model offered by Gibson Custom. Complete with the classic and comfortable RD body shape, including a rear tummy cut for extra comfort, this model also features a mahogany body with multi-ply top binding, Gibson Custom aesthetics, including gold hardware and mother-of-pearl block inlays on the neck, and a mother-of-pearl Custom split diamond headstock inlay. The RD Custom also has a 25.5” scale mahogany neck with a Medium C profile and long neck tenon, a bound ebony fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, and a bound headstock with Grover Rotomatic tuners. The updated electronics include 490R and 498T pickups, CTS potentiometers, and a hand-wired harness.
The Gibson RD Custom is designed to help players stand out from the crowd with its longer scale length, curvaceously elegant body, and classic design. Now is your opportunity to experience the unique and comfortable playing experience of the cult-favorite Gibson RD Custom for yourself. A Custom Shop hardshell case is also included.
For more information, please visit gibson.com.
How do you add scores of effects to your pedalboard with a single stompbox?
Big library of effects. Great sounding delays and reverbs. Mature TonePrint library and interface is easy to use.
Can only use one effect at a time. An IR loader and a looper would be welcome additions
$129
TC Electronic Plethora X1
tcelectronic.com
I’m often seduced by convenient solutions when it comes to planning a pedalboard. Time spent arranging a select group of stomps can be a distraction, which is why I tend to stick to pedals that do one or two things well and keep the tinkering to a minimum. After spending time with TC Electronic’s new multi-effects unit, the Plethora X1, I’ve had to rethink how much a single pedal can bring to a pedal board, because the X1 can be many things.
Save for the creation of gain sounds, the Plethora X1 can fill almost any sonic need on any gig. It can play the role of just one effect at a time—this isn’t like the Plethora X3, Plethora X5, or a modeler within which you can create chains of virtual stomps. But with very little effort, I can access TC’s entire TonePrint line, including factory- and artist-created TonePrints from the Hall of Fame 2 Reverb, Flashback 2 Delay, Helix Phaser, Viscous Vibe, Sub ‘N’ Up Octaver, Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Corona Chorus, Hypergravity Compressor, Mimiq Doubler, Vortex Flanger, Pipeline Tap Tremolo, Quintessence Harmony, Sentry Noise Gate, and Shaker Vibrato. At $129, the Plethora X1’s sounds-per-dollar value is extremely hard to beat.
Making Space
Full-sized Hall of Fame 2 and Flashback 2 pedals are already mainstays on my board, but, curiously, I hadn’t really explored the full capacity of those effects until using them within the X1. One reason, perhaps, is the X1’s handy readout. When you move any one of the three assignable knobs on the unit, the values for the assigned parameter appear on the screen, providing valuable visual feedback and precision. The parameters adjusted via those three knobs aren’t the only things you can tweak. The fourth knob is a rotary control with seven different slots that each store two different effects (when in A/B mode). That means 14 different presets that you can access quickly without having to dive into the deep editing mode.
Scratching the Surface
My favorite TC Electronic effects are the company’s detail-rich reverbs and delays. They did not disappoint here, and right out of the box, the room and shimmer reverbs were very inspiring. The shimmer verb didn’t have the way-too-glossy feel that can make many of these effects sound cheesy. A subtle, tight room reverb, meanwhile, allowed me to sense the effect as much as hear it—a nuance that, to me, is a hallmark of a well-designed algorithm.
Each effect is pre-loaded with a handful of presets that you can cycle through without firing up the app, offering many surprises in effects you may not have encountered before. The Sub ’N’ Up Octaver, for instance, is a real standout. It tracks incredibly well, offers plenty of customization, and sounds thick. Another highlight is the Helix Phaser, which is bubbly and liquid with an analog-like voice that would have appealed to Eddie Van Halen and Bob Marley alike.
There’s an App for That
Though the visual feedback from the X1’s screen is valuable, you have the most control and programming power within the TonePrint app. You can connect with the app three different ways: Bluetooth, USB-C, or using your phone to beam a preset via the pickups on your guitar. Although all three worked, I found Bluetooth and USB-C to be the most reliable and responsive.
As you can imagine, TC has built up a huge library of presets for all the various pedals represented in the X1. (The Tone Print Library has grown continuously since the technology was introduced in late 2010). But as sizable as the library is—and in spite of how many effects are on hand in the X1—the process of switching between them and trying new TonePrints out is still easy and fun. Once the pedal is connected, you scroll through a menu within the app of artist and factory presets. After you find one you like, you can either save it directly to your X1 or pull up the editor to adjust control parameters and other effect-specific functions. It’s an in-depth editor that doesn’t overload you with endless menus. TC deserves kudos for such an accessible design.
The Verdict
As you might guess, I don’t have the space to go in-depth on every effect in the X1. And at $129, the X1’s performance-to-price ratio is off the charts. Although you can only use one effect at a time, the ability to bring in any one of 14 great-sounding effects in a pinch is invaluable. I’ve often wrestled with whether or not to fork out money for a chorus, tremolo, or harmonizer that I might only use one or twice during a gig. That’s a decision the Plethora X1 all but eliminates. Although there’s a minimal learning curve, the X1 doesn’t have the paralyzing effect that other multi-effects units can have. If you’re into streamlining your board but still yearn to try new effects and applications as top artists hear and envision them, the X1 is hard to beat. PG
Gibson partners with Warren Haynes to release the Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard, featuring P-90 DC pickups and a 15 dB boost for modern functionality in a traditional 50s-era Les Paul design.
Grammy Award-winning artist Warren Haynes is a cornerstone of the American music landscape, lauded as one of the most formidable and prolific guitarists, vocalists, songwriters, and producers of the modern era. Gibson is proud to announce its partnership with Warren Haynes for the release of his first signature guitar, the Gibson Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard. The Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard from Gibson is available worldwide now at the Gibson Garage Nashville and London, at authorized Gibson dealers, and on Gibson.com.
“I’ve always been a Gibson guy—I got hooked on that sound as a teenager and have been playing them ever since,” says Warren Haynes. “Needless to say, I’m honored to be partnering with Gibson to release my Signature Les Paul Standard. Being traditionally a humbucker guy, I’m really loving the hum-free P-90s. It’s a really cool tonal change, and the boost offers even more tonal options. I’m really enjoying playing this guitar on stage and looking forward to using it in the studio. I’m equally psyched that other guitar players will now have the opportunity to own and play one as well.”
Warren Haynes effortlessly cross-pollinates genres and unfurls solos that broil with passion in his distinctive, signature playing style. Renowned and highly regarded for his work in rock, blues, and Americana music through his work with the Allman Brothers Band, as a founding member of Gov’t Mule, the leader of The Warren Haynes Band, a solo artist, and as a session guitarist and sideman for numerous famous friends and groups. As one of music’s most treasured storytellers, Haynes and his artistry have led to thousands of memorable performances and millions of album and track sales. A master of multiple styles and genres, Warren has also shared his expertise with other players via multiple instructional videos. A self-described “Gibson man,” Warren has used several Gibson models throughout the years, including his cherished ’61 ES-335™, among others.
The new Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard is another standout, with features tailored specifically to Warren’s preferences, including a mahogany body with a plain maple cap, a 60s Cherry finish, a mahogany neck with a chunky 50s vintage profile like all of Warren’s favorite Les Pauls, a rosewood fretboard with acrylic trapezoid inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets, a pair of P-90 DC pickups that deliver hum-free performance with all the sonic nuances of traditional P-90 DC pickups, and a 15 dB boost that can be activated via a mini toggle switch. The quick-access battery compartment is mounted into the control cover on the rear, and the guitar will still function, even if the battery dies, by simply flipping the mini toggle switch to the off position.
Bearing the traditional looks and feel of a 50s-era Les Paul coupled with modern features like hum-free P-90 DC pickups and an onboard boost, the Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard bridges modern and traditional and is a great choice for players who, like Warren, want both a traditional appearance and modern functionality in one outstanding guitar.
Last fall, Warren Haynes released his fourth solo album, Million Voices Whisper, via Fantasy Records. Haynes sounds as energetic and focused as ever on the self-produced album, powering through an 11-song set of soulful blues-rock, his first solo collection in nearly a decade. Accompanying Warren on the collection are members of his current all-star band, including John Medeski on keyboards, longtime drummer Terence Higgins (of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band), and Gov’t Mule bassist Kevin Scott. Million Voices Whisper also features guest appearances from his Allman Brothers Band compatriot Derek Trucks, whose unmistakable guitar sound toughs up three tracks on the album that were co-produced with Haynes, and his Last Waltz tour co-stars Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson, who are featured on the forceful “Day Of Reckoning.” Joining Haynes in the studio for the first time since the final sunset of the ABB, one of the featured tracks with Trucks on guitar is “Real Real Love,” a song initially co-written with Gregg Allman that Warren finished in Allman’s style and methods as if Gregg were singing it to honor his friend.
Buzzing through the chart-topping album is the question of how to make things better—in love, in life, in the world—led by Haynes’s soaring vocals and the poignancy of his six-string mastery. Million Voices Whisper opens with “These Changes,” a co-write with Trucks, leading into “Go Down Swinging,” co-written with Johnson, which features a horn section and a Van Morrison vibe. Then, there’s the soulful power ballad “Till The Sun Comes Shining Through,” driven by Warren’s impassioned vocals and slide guitar skills. The expressive pipes of touring backup singer Saundra Williams are also heard on multiple tracks, including the lead single “This Life As We Know It,” which reached Top 15 on the Americana singles chart and Top 40 at Triple A radio. Among the four bonus tracks on the deluxe CD version is a new version of the Trucks-Haynes composition “Back Where I Started” featuring Warren on lead vocals and slide guitar and the power trio of Haynes, Nelson, and Johnson covering the CSNY classic “Find The Cost Of Freedom” into an extended version of “Day Of Reckoning.” Million Voices Whisper combines the eloquent musicianship of a triple-threat blues-rocker with the glowing spirit of a vital creative artist at the peak of his powers.
For more information, please visit gibson.com.