The locking nut clamps the strings at the headstock end of the neck, taking string tension out of the equation once the fine tuners are set. Without a functioning locking nut, a floating bridge cannot hold pitch through a dive or a pull-up — the string can slip at the headstock end no matter how well the bridge is set up. This is a Floyd Rose Special series R-3 nut in black nickel, built from spot-hardened steel.

Fit is determined by two things: the width of your nut slot and the radius of your fretboard. Get either one wrong and the nut will not sit flush, or the outer strings will sit proud and buzz. Floyd Rose designates nut width by number — R2, R3, R4 and so on — and R3 does not fit every guitar that runs a Floyd Rose Special. Measure the existing nut before ordering. Do not guess from the model name.

The spot-hardened steel construction is relevant to the clamping blocks: the steel has to resist the compression of the clamping screws over years of string changes without deforming at the contact points. A nut that has been over-torqued or stripped at the block seats is the usual reason this part needs replacing.

If you are not certain the R-3 is the correct width for your neck, send us the make, model and year of your guitar and we will check it against what we have on the bench.