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FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / Why do some 1983 Strat Elites have a “locknut” and others don’t?

Speedyone

United States

May 18th, 2019 09:09 PM Edit Profile
I’m a huge fan of Ty Tabor from King’s X, and he used to play Elites.

I have long dreamt of buying an Elite, and finally my dream will come true, when my Elite arrives to my house this Tuesday!

But I have a weird concern.

The guitar I bought has this weird locking nut/thumb screw thing on it.

I have seen pictures of Ty Tabor’s guitar, and it APPEARED to have the same odd locknut object as mine.

I have been researching online, and I cannot find ANYWHERE that states the Strat Elites came with a locking nut.

Now I’m wondering if the neck on mine is a fake.

If 1983 Fender Elite Strats DID have a locking nut, why is it that they are so rarely seen, and why is this feature not listed in any official Fender catalogs or elsewhere?

Does anyone here HAVE an 83 Elite with this odd locking nut feature?

Thanks for reading guys, and I’m excited to become a new member here!

:)
(This message was last edited by Speedyone at 03:10 AM, May 19th, 2019)

Pinetree
Moderator Emeritus
(with many stars)

Wollt Ihr Das Bett

In Flammen Sehen?
May 18th, 2019 11:21 PM Edit Profile
I'll shoot Ty's tech an email and see if he can help.

(This message was last edited by Pinetree at 01:23 AM, May 19th, 2019)

Speedyone

United States

May 19th, 2019 12:49 AM Edit Profile
Thanks very much, I’d appreciate it!

Here is a link to pictures of the guitar I bought (hopefully I’ll figure this out correctly!)
83 Elite I just bought
(This message was last edited by Speedyone at 02:59 AM, May 19th, 2019)

Speedyone

United States

May 19th, 2019 12:52 AM Edit Profile
Pinetree, if you DO talk to Ty’s tech, would you be so kind as to ask him what the part name is that is missing from the locking nut area? I THINK it is an M4 x 8MM lock nut clamp screw. I’d also love to know where I can get a LEGIT replacement trem arm. I see real ones on eBay for $150 but that’s a little ridiculous! There’s a website called “OverDrive Custom Guitar Parts” which says they make replacement trem arms for 83 Elites, but there are no user reviews about these trem arms I can find.

I DID read a post on another site somewhere in which a guy claimed he bought a replacement trem arm online, but it didn’t work right. Sadly, he didn’t say where he bought it from though.

Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to reply!

:)

(This message was last edited by Speedyone at 03:12 AM, May 19th, 2019)

Speedyone

United States

May 20th, 2019 08:12 PM Edit Profile
Update:

I ordered a new replacement trem from OverDrive Custom Guitar Works. I had forgotten that I ordered a custom short Gilmour style trem arm from them years back. So, I got that covered!

I was also able to find the correct replacement hexnut screw at Home Depot, so I got that covered as well.

:)

The guitar arrives tomorrow, I can’t wait to get it!!!
(This message was last edited by Speedyone at 10:13 PM, May 20th, 2019)

Pinetree
Moderator Emeritus
(with many stars)

Wollt Ihr Das Bett

In Flammen Sehen?
May 20th, 2019 08:53 PM Edit Profile
Good news indeed!

Peegoo
Contributing Member
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Planet Peegoo

Rhythm & Lewd Guitarist
May 21st, 2019 10:22 AM Edit Profile
It looks like the original Elite neck with what appears to be an aftermarket string lock behind the nut.

The Elite vibrato units were made in Germany by Schaller. Toward the end of 1983 and into 1984, Fender issued the Elite Strats with a string lock behind the nut, also made by Schaller (see pic below).

The guitar you bought is probably an early '83 model with a string lock that was added later.

Note these are not locking nuts in the true sense of the word; these guitars have a standard nut with a string lock between the nut and the tuning machines.
Here's a pic of a late '83 model with the stock Schaller locking nut.
(This message was last edited by Peegoo at 12:25 PM, May 21st, 2019)

Pinetree
Moderator Emeritus
(with many stars)

Wollt Ihr Das Bett

In Flammen Sehen?
May 21st, 2019 04:07 PM Edit Profile
I emailed him, but nothing yet.

Speedyone

United States

May 22nd, 2019 07:38 AM Edit Profile
Thanks Peegoo for the info!

Thanks too Pinetree for your inquiry on my behalf!

Just got the Elite yesterday. It was shipped to me with all the strings loosened (no problem, that’s not unusual).

However, when I gradually tuned-up the guitar, the trem kept rising up and up and up....

So, apparently the spring vs string tension is off.

I asked the seller what gauge strings were on it, and he said 10’s. I’m just gonna drop it off to my local tech and have them set it up with 008’s (my preference,) as I’m gonna becrealky busy with work and family stuff for the next week.

Thankfully, I have the official Fender FreeFlyte trem setup info
that I can give him to read.

I’ll be sure to pop back in to the thread soon!

Have a great day guys!

Speedyone

United States

May 22nd, 2019 07:40 AM Edit Profile
Found this little picture....
Ty Tabor Elite with the locking nut mechanism
(This message was last edited by Speedyone at 09:42 AM, May 22nd, 2019)

Pinetree
Moderator Emeritus
(with many stars)

This is my 2nd Rodeo

May 30th, 2019 11:04 AM Edit Profile
He said the Elite Strat does not come out of the vault for touring, so he's never had the chance to fool with it.

Speedyone

United States

Jun 5th, 2019 12:17 PM Edit Profile
Hi,

Sorry for the late return to my thread!

Thanks for checking with Ty’s tech!

After doing much research, it seems that none of the Elites were made WITH the locking nut. It was an aftermarket add-on after all.

I love the Elite though!

It has a completely unique sound I love, and it’s probably tied for being the best playing guitar I’ve ever owned.

If I can figure out how to post a vid later of it, I will.

Have a good week guys!

:)

FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / Why do some 1983 Strat Elites have a “locknut” and others don’t?

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