JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Which locking tuners do you guys like? They're going on an '87 USA Standard Strat. Drop in replacement preferred.
Locking tuners for USA Strat
- Thread starter JB_From_Hell
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
I have what I believe are old Schaller-Fenders on another guitar. I might put them on my Fender to see if it makes any difference for whammying. It isn't really bad as-is, but better is always good. Plus, it's a no-brained for string changes, and eliminating the trees should help.
I have what I believe are old Schaller-Fenders on another guitar. I might put them on my Fender to see if it makes any difference for whammying. It isn't really bad as-is, but better is always good. Plus, it's a no-brained for string changes, and eliminating the trees should help.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
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What kind of nut is on the guitar now? A roller nut or TUSQ-XL helps as much or more than locking tuners unless you're trying to do Floyd-style dives.
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
Stock nut. I'm hoping for a refret next year, so I haven't considered replacing the nut at this point.
Stock nut. I'm hoping for a refret next year, so I haven't considered replacing the nut at this point.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
Locking tuners don't really lock the tuning; in theory they can allow you to use fewer wraps around the post and avoid that sort of binding, but I've never had too much trouble using normal (decent) tuners/nut and keeping the winds to a minimum.
...That said. My American Deluxe with lockers (Schallers, stock) and an LSR is totally trouble free. Guitar has a great feel. I only have experience with Sperzels other than that, they're ok but the locks stuck every so often. The stagger was better, if you're using a locking nut it can cause fewer tuning issues after you tighten, thanks to more break angle (string makes more solid contact with the nut.)
Locking tuners don't really lock the tuning; in theory they can allow you to use fewer wraps around the post and avoid that sort of binding, but I've never had too much trouble using normal (decent) tuners/nut and keeping the winds to a minimum.
...That said. My American Deluxe with lockers (Schallers, stock) and an LSR is totally trouble free. Guitar has a great feel. I only have experience with Sperzels other than that, they're ok but the locks stuck every so often. The stagger was better, if you're using a locking nut it can cause fewer tuning issues after you tighten, thanks to more break angle (string makes more solid contact with the nut.)
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
I like Sperzel and Schaller locking tuners and have both on many of my G&L guitars. I'm not a constant, dive-bombing vibrato user, but it does get used. I really like the G&L Dual Fulcrum Vibrato, and my guitars stay in tune as good as my stop-tail Gibson Paul's and 335s--even with the non-locking tuners. A correctly cut nut is imperative (and I do like the graphite variety), but I also use Big Bend's Nut Sauce on the nut, saddles, and friction points of the vibrato mechanism.
The eyelet non-locking tuner should be wound so that the string is locked down the post by the following winds. There are a couple different methods of doing this. I use the method taught by Martin guitars (see their website). The split-post tuners used by Fender require that you place a 90-degree bend in the string about 1-1/8" past the post. You should then cut the string about 5/8" past the bend. Then insert the string end down into the hole on the top of the tuner and then wind. The string will lock itself into the shoulder of the split post as it is wound. Again, wound properly...the split post tuner is just as effective as the locking tuner except under the most strenuous vibrato use.
The strength of the locking tuner comes down to speed. It's simply allows much faster string changes. One could also argue that the extra mass on the headstock contributes to better tone or more sustain, etc. Depends on your preference.
There are several companies offering lockers: Planet Waves, Grover, Gotoh, Kluson, Graph Tech, et.al., so you're sure to find something that will work for you.
Good luck.
Bill
I like Sperzel and Schaller locking tuners and have both on many of my G&L guitars. I'm not a constant, dive-bombing vibrato user, but it does get used. I really like the G&L Dual Fulcrum Vibrato, and my guitars stay in tune as good as my stop-tail Gibson Paul's and 335s--even with the non-locking tuners. A correctly cut nut is imperative (and I do like the graphite variety), but I also use Big Bend's Nut Sauce on the nut, saddles, and friction points of the vibrato mechanism.
The eyelet non-locking tuner should be wound so that the string is locked down the post by the following winds. There are a couple different methods of doing this. I use the method taught by Martin guitars (see their website). The split-post tuners used by Fender require that you place a 90-degree bend in the string about 1-1/8" past the post. You should then cut the string about 5/8" past the bend. Then insert the string end down into the hole on the top of the tuner and then wind. The string will lock itself into the shoulder of the split post as it is wound. Again, wound properly...the split post tuner is just as effective as the locking tuner except under the most strenuous vibrato use.
The strength of the locking tuner comes down to speed. It's simply allows much faster string changes. One could also argue that the extra mass on the headstock contributes to better tone or more sustain, etc. Depends on your preference.
There are several companies offering lockers: Planet Waves, Grover, Gotoh, Kluson, Graph Tech, et.al., so you're sure to find something that will work for you.
Good luck.
Bill
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
GUYS! The whole point of locking tuners is NO WRAPS on the posts! Why is this so hard to grasp?
GUYS! The whole point of locking tuners is NO WRAPS on the posts! Why is this so hard to grasp?
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
No, the point is NO WRAPS, because wraps are the source of tuning instability.
No, the point is NO WRAPS, because wraps are the source of tuning instability.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
I said fewer wraps but could have meant no wraps, because I'm not caring to be particular with language I guess.
That said, if you're having to re-tune a trem guitar that de-tunes other strings as you go along, sometimes it's difficult to not wind up with a string completing a wrap or near wrap, depends on how anal you are.
I said fewer wraps but could have meant no wraps, because I'm not caring to be particular with language I guess.
That said, if you're having to re-tune a trem guitar that de-tunes other strings as you go along, sometimes it's difficult to not wind up with a string completing a wrap or near wrap, depends on how anal you are.
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Locking tuners for USA Strat
I have a Vintage V6 with a Wilkinson whammy and locking Grovers. The treble E has about a full wrap of string - the rest have less. It stays in tune great with whammy usage, because the nut slots don't pinch, and there is no wrap to loosen.
I have a Vintage V6 with a Wilkinson whammy and locking Grovers. The treble E has about a full wrap of string - the rest have less. It stays in tune great with whammy usage, because the nut slots don't pinch, and there is no wrap to loosen.
