A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

I had never seen or heard of this before I saw one on a used Agile AL-3010SE. They go for around $50 new and while it seems like an ingenius idea, is its effect really noticable?

https://www.string-butler.com/

https://reverb.com/item/57510713-agile- ... x0309-used

Don't see why anyone would want one?


In case anyone is interested, that pic is legit in that it is a Martin flat top guitar as it was brought in for repair to a luthier I once knew.

I guess it makes sense in theory, but then again so did new Coke

I've never tried one, but always suspected they might make nut buzz slightly more possible by not letting the strings at least lean into one edge of the slot. That perception might be completely off base though, so I'd love to hear any informed positions.

I like what it's trying to do. one of the, many, things Leo did right was straight string pull through the nut. I just may order one or two to try out. I also like that it's reversible without any visible evidence off its use!

On the string buzz increasing, I think that's not an issue. Since the slot is angled downwards towards the tuners, as long as the string contact at the nut exit is solid, I would think the nut would hold it sufficiently tight.

dabbler wrote: ↑Thu Jul 14, 2022 6:11 pm I like what it's trying to do. one of the, many, things Leo did right was straight string pull through the nut. I just may order one or two to try out. I also like that it's reversible without any visible evidence off its use!

Yeah, I'm curious too but in no great hurry so if a used one shows up on eBay or Reverb for $25 or so, I'm game. If that Agile was about $100 cheaper, I'd pribably go for it because it also has one of those Duesenberg Les Trem IIs which I'm mildly interested in as well but go for around $125 new...

Never heard of a String Butler before, though I know about Band Maid.

Kinda cool gadget, but I think a properly cut nut is the better route.
The slots can be cut angled toward the tuning machines, and / or the fall away can be opened up in a cone or horn shape.

toomanycats wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 9:07 am Never heard of a String Butler before, though I know about Band Maid.

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The outfits are pretty silly, but they can bring it all right:

Friend of mine loved it on his DBZ Cavallo!

littlebadboy wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:30 am Friend of mine loved it on his DBZ Cavallo!

Gotta say it goes perfectly with the look of that headstock, but I can't imagine it doing anything with a locking nut.

littlebadboy wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:30 am Friend of mine loved it on his DBZ Cavallo!

It's just my personal preference but sorry, those headstocks make me want to run from the room screaming with my hands waving over my head...

tobijohn wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 12:52 pm It's just my personal preference but sorry, those headstocks make me want to run from the room screaming with my hands waving over my head...

It was actually a beautiful guitar. I don't like V guitars, except for this one.



Different guitar, same model:

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 12:45 pm Gotta say it goes perfectly with the look of that headstock, but I can't imagine it doing anything with a locking nut.

Good point. But, you still have to tune it before locking it, right?

I wasn't until this thread, but after installing a pair, I'm loving them!
I'm not totally sure that the effect they have is significant, but I DO like my strings to travel perpendicularly through the nut and this makes it possible on my fav LPs.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 12:45 pm

littlebadboy wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:30 am Friend of mine loved it on his DBZ Cavallo!

Gotta say it goes perfectly with the look of that headstock, but I can't imagine it doing anything with a locking nut.

I saw a used Kramer Pacer Reissue at Guitar Center last week which somebody had modified. Amongst the upgrades was a set of locking Schaller tuners. The guitar has a Floyd and lock-nut. What possible good are locking tuners? About as useless as tits on a bull.

toomanycats wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 2:30 pm I saw a used Kramer Pacer Reissue at Guitar Center last week which somebody had modified. Amongst the upgrades was a set of locking Schaller tuners. The guitar has a Floyd and lock-nut. What possible good are locking tuners? About as useless as tits on a bull.

Locking tuners do make string changes a bit easier. Beyond that, yup!

toomanycats wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 2:30 pm
I saw a used Kramer Pacer Reissue at Guitar Center last week which somebody had modified. Amongst the upgrades was a set of locking Schaller tuners. The guitar has a Floyd and lock-nut. What possible good are locking tuners? About as useless as tits on a bull.

While it is true that you don't need locking tuners if you have a locking nut, I love, love, love Planet Waves Auto-trim tuners, and would put them on any fav guitar even with a locking nut (however none of my fav guitars have Floyds).

Why, you ask? It makes string changes fast, easy and tool-less!

The original “locking tuner.” Still works great for me. Same knot that sailors, cowboys, and Boy Scouts have been using forever. Simple, free, and 100% effective.

+1^^^

I've always used that method and it is rock solid as long as the string wraps dont overlap.

Most likely not your cup of tea but an interesting idea , maybe in a non skully version.

bc rich wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:48 pm Most likely not your cup of tea but an interesting idea , maybe in a non skully version.

version2-1-300x300.jpeg

seems like you could just add a fender string tree and accomplish the same thing.

Flatline wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:10 pm

bc rich wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:48 pm Most likely not your cup of tea but an interesting idea , maybe in a non skully version.

version2-1-300x300.jpeg

seems like you could just add a fender string tree and accomplish the same thing.

It does at that!

This is one of those (admittedly few) times when I feel spending more money (to get a string butler) is worth it. The rollers can slide up the posts, if necessary, you get guides for the A and G strings as well and well rollers are just better than friction contact points.

I just realized another actual application for these - cleaning up a bad headstock design. Because damn, tuners should not act as string trees, Eastman.

I've seen them twice. Really handy for guitars that do not have straight string pull through the nut (say the LP where the D and G string binds, then lets loose during that fantastic riff, turning it into a trainwreck).

Once like above along with a locking nut which made no sense and another was a Dillon LP copy.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 11:37 am I just realized another actual application for these - cleaning up a bad headstock design. Because damn, tuners should not act as string trees, Eastman.

I would just wind the low and high E strings on that Eastman the other way. It would at least clean things up a little.

For Floyds, I generally put the ball end of the string at the tuners. Easy as locking tuners when you already have to cut the string to lock at the bridge.