Wanted - Locking Nut for Spectum SX

Hi ... I recently purchased my first Westone (!) ... an '85 red Spectrum SX. It is wonderful except it is missing the locking nut. Local guitar shop suggested adding a string tree but I hesitate to modify it in any way. Are there any sources for this part?

No. However, there is a Kahler behind the nut stringlock that will do the trick, though you'll have to build some sort of base to raise it up to the correct height.
A string tree won't help; it's a stringlock that's needed!

Transparent red or normal red? Pix?

My first and only west one is a spectrum six they are great! I'm sure you'll find something that will fit, or even get a genuine spare. It WILL take some time to source one but that is what makes these guitar so rewarding.

Hi Cortez and welcome to another Canuck!
And congrats on your first Westone! If history tells us anything here, it won't be your last! The Spectrum line is a favourite one of mine and many others here.

We're currently in the process of putting together some definitive info on Westone Tremolo bridges and their corresponding locking nuts/clamps which will soon appear on our web site. Until then about all I can do is reinforce what Corsair has said...I'm afraid there are really no off the shelf replacement parts, especially the locking plates.

They could be made I suppose if you are at all handy, Meantime here's at least some useful info: the lock down bolts are 4 mm dia.

Welcome Cortez. I do have a spare that works for the later models from 87 forward which would have had used all rectangular clamps. I'm not certain the string spacing is correct for an SX however. Gotta check the archives to see if there is a picture to confirm it.

Thanks for the welcome and the information! Will take a closer look soon but thought it would be helpful as requested to post pictures. I've tried to follow the process outlined in the FAQ ... here goes.

Iceman ... thanks (!) for checking your spare. In case it helps I've tried to carefully measure from centre (Canadian spelling :-) to centre of the outside holes and it is 28 mm or 1 3/32".

Corsair ... I didn't know there were two kinds of red ... can you tell if I have transparent or normal?

Barry ... yes another Canuck (not too far from you ... Toronto). And yes if I see another Westone I won't hesitate. I'm blown away by the quality from top to bottom.

Ahhh, right; you've got the bit that really matters so that's all good!! Now, our very own beloved SgtVimes has a supply of the locking washers that you need and for the postage he will fire - at a minimum, I suggest you get at least two sets!! - them in your direction! When you get 'em, you put one underneath the strings, and one above...
That'll be 8 of the triangular washers and 4 of the rectangular... The bolts are indeed 4mm and lets just hope that the E/A hole isn't stripped - which might be why you no loger have them; they were taken off and discarded because the holes no longer worked!
If they are stripped, it's not insurmountable; I have here a nifty little gadget to repair just that very thing!

And it's not transparent red, the red ones are both solid - I should engage brain really, eh!! - its just that yours has the red fretboard, like my MX....

Cortezthekiller wrote:... And yes if I see another Westone I won't hesitate. I'm blown away by the quality from top to bottom.

Preaching to the choir brother, preaching to the choir!

Did you see the Spectrum information on our web site? HERE
You've got some collecting to do!

No kidding there John... Cortez is most of the way there.

I was assuming that the entire housing was missing. Getting the clamps should be a snap with the Sarge in the house.

Very nice! I want one with the red fingerboard. The guys on here are amazing and as others have said SgtVimes will sort you out

As little off topic, but it never ceases to amaze me that someone would, back in the 80's spend a not insubstantial amount of money on a guitar and then fail to take care of it. I've never understood how you would lose bits of it. Fortunately, I've not had to source missing parts yet, but I can understand how frustrating it must bee

Anyway - welcome onboard Cortez, other than the locking nut issue your speccy looks in pretty good shape. Here's hoping the sarge can sort you out with the bits you need, and remember to clear some space in your house, you're going to end up with lots more westies.

Sorry Cortez, I completely forgot about Sgt.Vimes and his magical box of beautiful bits!
CLICK HERE
It's your lucky day and you'll be up and dive bombing in no time

westcoaster wrote:..I've never understood how you would lose bits of it...

Yeah same here. Of course, you can easily drop a screw or other small part while doing some maintenance work, but a trem bar? A saddle? Pick guard? Cover plates!?
Sheesh.

corsair wrote:When you get 'em, you put one underneath the strings, and one above...
That'll be 8 of the triangular washers and 4 of the rectangular... The bolts are indeed 4mm

Thanks. The picture on Sgt. Vimes' post has an option for M4 x 8mm and 12mm bolts. I assume I need 3 bolts ... do you know which I should ask for?

you'll get both types of bolts Cortez

Thanks Sgt. (just realized the last post was from you), Corsair and everyone else for their help on this. I hope soon to have a happy Spectrum SX!

Use the longer of the 4mm bolts on the E/A strings.

Due to the thickness of the E/A strings the longer bolt will have more purchase.

The shorter one's tend to strip out the thread on these strings.

Can't remember off the top of my head but you might have to shorten it a mm or 2, as it could bind on the headstock underneath the locking block.

Thanks - makes sense now that you mention it. Saves me some trial and error. I really hope the reason there are parts missing in the first place is NOT related to the threads being stripped. I'll check that out first and be careful to get the correct bolt lengths for each position.

Hi ... the package of bits from Sgt. Vimes (thanks!) arrived today. For the benefit of those who may come after, here is how it worked out.

First, I was fortunate in nothing was stripped. The bolts threaded in nicely.

I used the "sandwich" technique suggested by corsair. It worked for the outer strings using the 8mm bolt for the E/B strings and the 12mm bolt for the E/A strings. However when I tried to sandwich the D/G strings, I found placing the nut under the strings raised them up too high. This picture tries to show it ... the D/G strings are floating above the "V" grooves.



The combination of eliminating the under nut and using the 8mm bolt for this middle section worked very well.



The result is nice and tight and keeps the guitar in tune when using the whammy bar.

Thanks to everyone for their help!

Cortez

OK... it doesn't matter if the strings aren't touching the bottom of the groove in the stringlock; the locking action should still be happening between the 2 plates. The angle of those strings as they exit the nut isn't ideal either...
What you have there is a very efficient guillotine which will cut the string life of the D/G strings quite markedly....

That's the Transparent Red, like my MX.

Makes sense ... the best way to lock would be to use the 2 plates. I tried it but was foiled (perhaps temporarily) by the bolt length - 8mm too short and 12mm too long.

Excellent! Glad you're up and running!
We've got a great bunch o' guyz here.

I've recently also picked up an SX (blue) but I was lucky enough to get her completely intact. Have you had a peek "under the hood" yet? How do you like/dislike the tone?