Add locking nut to rgd7ucs neck?

[bmth4111]

I really like the no inlay Ebony look of the rgd7ucs neck but need a trem guitar. So I was thinking about how hard it would be to add a locking nut to a rgd7ucs nuck to use it on a rgd2127z body.

I feel like the headstock looks pretty flat and like it could work but I'm not sure.

Has anyone done this?if so how hard was it and what did it cost you?

 

[MaxOfMetal]

It's a simple procedure, but it's a precise one. You have to route a "shelf" for it, in place of the current nut, and then glue a small fillet just behind as you need a couple extra millimeters of material to rest the locking nut on properly.

You could just bolt one to the facing of the headstock, but it's going to mean you'll have to remove the whole thing for truss rod adjustment and it'll pretty ugly.

Adding a locking nut is (was) fairly common, so it's definitely not uncharted waters. You just have to think about how much time, energy, and money you want to throw at it.

 

[cult]

You could also use good locking tuners and a nicely lubricated nut if you don't want to modify the neck too heavily.

 

[cardinal]

You also could buy a RGD2127z and have someone pull the dot inlays and replace them with rosewood plugs that match the board. This would be much cheaper than buying both guitars just to swap the necks.

I've had this done to a bass and it worked out flawlessly. You could then dye the board if you wanted it super dark, but some of the 2127z seem to have pretty dark boards as is. I can recommend someone who can do this if you're interested.

 

[odibrom]

^^^ I'd go the @cardinal ´s way...

 

[Omzig]

I did this a few months back with a RGAIX6U-ABS (such catchy names ibby use....)

I ended up using a bit of richlite from an old fretboard i removed a few years back,i found out in the past that this stuff hates tightbond so i justed used some CA,then level/edged it up

you'll also have to move the truss rod cover back and maybe add a bar behind to force the break angle back down & you might only beable to use the stright section of an allan key to alter the rod unless your bend section is a bit longer (ohhh!)

 

[bmth4111]

Yeah. Damn I wish there were more locking ebony non inlay necks/guitars. Supprised it is so rare with Ibanez guitars or production models in general.

I really like the stainless steel frets on the rgd7ucs neck.

But the inlay removal idea is smart.

 

[bmth4111]

You could also use good locking tuners and a nicely lubricated nut if you don't want to modify the neck too heavily.

How stable is a trem without a locking nut though? I want to be able to do dive bombs and trem abuse of needed without tuning issues.

 

[cult]

How stable is a trem without a locking nut though? I want to be able to do dive bombs and trem abuse of needed without tuning issues.

As stable as the nut will allow
In case the string gets stuck at the nut, it will go out of tune

 

[bmth4111]

I did this a few months back with a RGAIX6U-ABS (such catchy names ibby use....)

I ended up using a bit of richlite from an old fretboard i removed a few years back,i found out in the past that this stuff hates tightbond so i justed used some CA,then level/edged it up

you'll also have to move the truss rod cover back and maybe add a bar behind to force the break angle back down & you might only beable to use the stright section of an allan key to alter the rod unless your bend section is a bit longer (ohhh!)

nice job, I would definitely have a pro do this for me. I like the idea of using richlite too, since I have some concern about the material under the locking nut compressing. Any issues after the install?