J.Beck signature - lost bearings in nut.

As you can see in the pic, I've lost the bearings of the second string.
Any advice on where to get replacement bearings and what size?

 

Its called a Fender LSR Roller Nut. Costs $29 USD.

Easily swapped over on a guitar that's already been prepped for it (=has one already), just unscrew the two screws and pop the new one in.

Buy a new one, imho even if you find the balls, you'll just lose them again. That thing musta had some kinda slight bend or something to make en stay put, and that's obviously cooked now. Trying to hammer it or whatnot prolly won't be the best idea

 

yeah ya dont want to lose your balls again Australian.
roflmfao.

 

Jeff Beck bought fenders remaining stock of these nuts when they decided to stop using them.

 

Use calipers to measure the remaining balls.
Order balls from Kaman Bearing or Grainger, etc.

 

and this is ampmad helping Australian find his balls.

 

i dont care who ya are, thats some funny shit right there.

 

If you order balls- get some Schwetty Balls, they're America's favorite brand.

 

It's Fender part number 0990812000
$33.00

 

wow fender stated making them again?

 

I’m not even going to ask the question I had about the whammy bar.

 

I found out that this is the size:
3/32" - 2.381mm Chrome steel bearings.

I’ll try my local bearing store first.

 

ive always wondered if this could ever be a problem.
this will be interesting. love the JB strats

 

Jeff is fond of the earlier Wilkinson roller nut that was the original equipment on his signature model. When Fender stopped buying them from Wilkinson, Fender designed their own LSR roller bridge. (Unclear whether Wilkinson decided to stop making them forcing Fender to design their own, or whether they stopped making them due to lack of demand after Fender decided to stop using them.)

Jeff told them he didn't want the LSR, so the Custom Shop reserved the rest of Fender's stock of Wilkinsons for future guitars for Jeff.

The LSR has been in production ever since they started making them.

 

I read somewhere that when the LSRs lose bearings, it's because the little rubber pad in front of the bearings has become worn or damaged. Apparently, that's what traps the bearings and keeps them in place.

I'd be inclined to replace the nut and keep the old one as a source of replacement pads and bearings.

If you do that, when removing the old nut be careful of the shims underneath it. There's no way to lower the string slots on the roller nuts, so the nut slot is cut a little low and then shimmed, to allow for future lowering after dressing worn frets. There may be different thicknesses on the treble/bass side (either different gauge shims, or a different number of stacked shims).

If you don't get the shims mixed up it's a quick and easy swap. But if they get jumbled there will be some trial and error getting the nut height correct.

 

Or use stainless balls.

 

That I don't know but it is a valid Fender part number.

 

i watch a interview where jeff said he bought all the rest of the LSR nuts.

 

hell thats what i thought they would be using from the jump.

 

what a tricky little MF'er this could turn out to be. wonder if there is a guide somewhere to help with this.