Yes you have to install the trees. There just isn't enough break angle off nut to keep the string in the nut. It's the string tree idea that allowed Fender to create a neck out of one piece of wood with out doing a splice of the headstock like on acoustics and Gibsons etc.

What are EJ tuning pegs?

 

You don't need string trees if the tuning pegs are staggered (each peg gets shorter as you move away from the neck). If the tuning pegs are all the same length, then yes you will need string trees.

 

I didn't know they existed until today....but string trees can be cheap

 

just got here from the other string tree thread- it occurs to me that even if the high e tuner post was only a millimeter tall, it still wouldnt have the break angle that a string tree provides.
i dunno man.
i bought an assortment of tele and strat string trees last year, less than a dollar each. ill have those used up in about 150 years- ill look into staggered tuners some more when that day comes.

 

I'm with fraser on this one...

 

Your not just a pretty face are you Fraser

 

just got here from the other string tree thread- it occurs to me that even if the high e tuner post was only a millimeter tall, it still wouldnt have the break angle that a string tree provides.
i dunno man.
i bought an assortment of tele and strat string trees last year, less than a dollar each. ill have those used up in about 150 years- ill look into staggered tuners some more when that day comes.

It probably doesn't have the same angle over the nut, but it works which means the angle from the trees is sharper than you need.

 

Your not just a pretty face are you Fraser

dam right pat. you know, im sick of everybody just focusing on how good looking i am. im also smart and funny and beneath all the glamour, im a real nice person.

It probably doesn't have the same angle over the nut, but it works which means the angle from the trees is sharper than you need.

im sure youre correct ian, if it works, it works- ive got zero experience with staggered tuners-

 

Oh well,String Tree it is,Thanks for the input guys.

 

well youve still got options-
gotoh makes a staggered set-
6L Staggered Keys Nickel | Allparts.com

as does schaller-
Schaller 6-in-line Chrome Locking Keys | Allparts.com

if you want to try the gotoh- the set they offer looks like a staggered version of the ones i use on all my stuff- fender uses the same tuners, and i wouldnt be suprised if they what are used on the EJ strat-
the pic jimihendrix shows on the other thread, it looks to be these tuners.
you can see the non-staggered version in the neck amber thread- my favourite tuners ever.
and, you can save maybe $10 on a set if you buy them here instead-
Guitar Parts Resource ::The Guitar Player's Hardware Store

just because myself and some others dont see the point, it doesnt mean there isnt a point, or that you shouldnt try it.

 

yup just looked it up- tech specs for the EJ strat lists tuners as-
Fender®/Gotoh® Staggered Vintage Style Tuning Machines-
so you can buy a set for less than $60-
Guitar Parts Resource:: Gotoh Tuners 6 inline
bottom of page- $51.75

 

I have the gotoh locking tuners on several of my guitars, they're definitely great tuners.