I have a couple of guitars with Grover keys on them. One set are the normal, unmarked set. The other, says 18:1 on the back.. Are these better? Also, are they interchangable? (they look the same size) Im selling the guitar with the 18:1s and was wondering if I should swap the keys??
Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
The hire the ratio, 18:1, 20:1, 24:1, the better. I have no idea what the "normal" range is - but I know I have a set of Gotoh's on my #1 LP that has an awesome high ration (in the 20's) and that thing holds a tune like a mofo!!!! String windy thingy is important there when putting new strings on.
I want to say it's like 28:1 or something like that.
The hire the ratio, 18:1, 20:1, 24:1, the better. I have no idea what the "normal" range is - but I know I have a set of Gotoh's on my #1 LP that has an awesome high ration (in the 20's) and that thing holds a tune like a mofo!!!! String windy thingy is important there when putting new strings on.
I want to say it's like 28:1 or something like that.
SabbathFan0220
New member
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
Standard Grover is 14:1. The higher the ratio, the easier it is to fine tune. They should be completely interchangeable.
Standard Grover is 14:1. The higher the ratio, the easier it is to fine tune. They should be completely interchangeable.
David Collins
New member
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
Anything over 12:1 or 14:1 is just a waste of time turning keys in my opinion. No advantage in tuning stability, and there's nothing to prevent you from reaching the same "precision" with a 12:1 tuner than you could with a 40:1. The gear ratio just isn't the weak link in the chain here.
That said, the Grover 18:1 Statites are nice, very well made tuners, and pretty cheaply priced. If I could find someone making a nice 14:1 set I'd be thrilled, but 16:1 seems about as low as can be found in most quality modern tuner styles.
As to which tuners to keep, Grover makes and has made a lot of different styles of tuners, and I have no idea which styles in particular you are referring to. There are some that are better than others, but gear ratio alone is not really the deciding factor.
Anything over 12:1 or 14:1 is just a waste of time turning keys in my opinion. No advantage in tuning stability, and there's nothing to prevent you from reaching the same "precision" with a 12:1 tuner than you could with a 40:1. The gear ratio just isn't the weak link in the chain here.
That said, the Grover 18:1 Statites are nice, very well made tuners, and pretty cheaply priced. If I could find someone making a nice 14:1 set I'd be thrilled, but 16:1 seems about as low as can be found in most quality modern tuner styles.
As to which tuners to keep, Grover makes and has made a lot of different styles of tuners, and I have no idea which styles in particular you are referring to. There are some that are better than others, but gear ratio alone is not really the deciding factor.
David Collins
New member
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
Which standard Grovers are you talking about?
Edit: never mind - looks like you're talking about their Rotomatics and Keystones. I'd love to see their Statites in 14:1.
Which standard Grovers are you talking about?
Edit: never mind - looks like you're talking about their Rotomatics and Keystones. I'd love to see their Statites in 14:1.
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guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
I think, if anything, higher ratios let you tune without going above the pitch as easily.
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
I know this is a really old thread but, I also have a set of grovers on my washburn and they too have 18-1 on the back but I do not know if they are locking or not. How do I tell if they are?
The posts have minimum windings on them but I see no locking wheel or black slotted tip to the posts.
I have been trying to find info on line ut cannot find the exact ones, can you help please?
I know this is a really old thread but, I also have a set of grovers on my washburn and they too have 18-1 on the back but I do not know if they are locking or not. How do I tell if they are?
The posts have minimum windings on them but I see no locking wheel or black slotted tip to the posts.
I have been trying to find info on line ut cannot find the exact ones, can you help please?
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
Honestly, the only time I think gear ratios make a difference is on Firebird style tuners. You don't know how annoying that 40:1 ratio is, it takes easily 2 to 3 times longer to put new strings on as compared to a 12:1.
Honestly, the only time I think gear ratios make a difference is on Firebird style tuners. You don't know how annoying that 40:1 ratio is, it takes easily 2 to 3 times longer to put new strings on as compared to a 12:1.
Re: Grover Keys.. 18:1 vs normal
I have the answer from you tube and they are indeed locking tuners as they have a slot on the top of the posts despite the tip of the post not being black.
I havent restrung yet but at least i now know what I have.
The fact that there was very little string wrapped around the post was enough to tell me they were locking but I did not know how to use them properly until I found the video.
How to string grover locking tuners..
I have the answer from you tube and they are indeed locking tuners as they have a slot on the top of the posts despite the tip of the post not being black.
I havent restrung yet but at least i now know what I have.
The fact that there was very little string wrapped around the post was enough to tell me they were locking but I did not know how to use them properly until I found the video.
How to string grover locking tuners..
