Can someone clarify R3 and R4 locking nuts

[77CUSTOM]

Okay my new SD-1 comes with an R3 locking nut. It's width is 1-11/16ths.

The R4 is also 1-11/16ths. But, the R3 is 1-11/16ths narrow and the R4 is 1-11/16ths wide.

What gives?

[rjohnstone]

It's the string spacing.
The strings are closer together on an R3 nut.

[Axewielder]

R3's are often found on bound necks, while R4's are often found on unbound necks. That's not a hard-and-fast rule by any means, though. I just put an R3 on an unbound neck to get a bit more fret margin.

[77CUSTOM]

R3's are often found on bound necks, while R4's are often found on unbound necks. That's not a hard-and-fast rule by any means, though. I just put an R3 on an unbound neck to get a bit more fret margin.

I guess not. Charvel put the R3 on the SD's and they do not have bound necks.

So I suppose if I bought a Floyd w/an R4 to fit on my SD-1 it should not affect anything but the string spacing.

Okay, well thanks for the info.

[nikopapp]

Well, the strings grow further apart, starting with the R2, then R3, then R4.
The R4 will have the widest spacing.
Not very common, actually.
Most guitars use the R2 or R3.
But who knows, you might like it!

[77CUSTOM]

I probably will not like the R4. I just measured the string spacing on my Charvel, Fender and Gibson. The Charvel R3 nut has the widest spacing, the American Series Strat was next, followed by the Les Paul Standard having the narrowest spacing. I used a stew-mac string spacing rule and each guitar was one notch apart. They are all very close though. I would imagine the R2 would put the strings in line with the strat. I take that back. I just went through my junk drawer and found an R2. It is narrower than the les paul. I also found what might be an R4, but it has J-4 on the back of it. (Japan??) it is the widest of the bunch.

I'd like to say thank you for your help. I uncovered more than I had hoped for.

[SEAN RAF]

I've got an R5 on my Model 2 strat head mutt.

[77CUSTOM]

I've got an R5 on my Model 2 strat head mutt.

WOW!! That must be classical guitar spacing!!!!

[SEAN RAF]

It's very comfortable to play, I'm now looking for an R5 spaced, birdseye maple AAA strat neck for my next Model 2 project.

[77CUSTOM]

It's very comfortable to play, I'm now looking for an R5 spaced, birdseye maple AAA strat neck for my next Model 2 project.

Can you measure the width of the nut please. I'm curious to see how wide it is.

[77CUSTOM]

I guess I could have went to the FR site!

Nuts
Nut #1 - Neck Width 1-9/16" - 10" radius
Nut #2 - Neck Width 1-5/8" - 10" radius
Nut #3 - Neck Width 1-11/16" - 10" radius...............narrow spacing
Nut #4 - Neck Width 1-11/16" - 10" radius...............wide spacing
Nut #5 - Neck Width 1-3/4" - 10" radius
Nut #6 - Neck Width 1-9/16" Bullet - 10" radius

Nut #7 - Neck Width 1-5/8" Bullet - 10" radius

Nut #8 - Neck Width 1-11/16" - 10" radius
Nut #9 - Neck Width 1-11/16" - 15" radius
Nut #10 - Neck Width 1-11/16" - pending

[XSSIVE]

Distance from E string center to E string center....

R3 1.4155" (35.95 mm)
R4 1.4355" (36.45 mm)

-Mike