Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
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NegativeEase
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Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
Di'addario is a quality company -overall they make the best offering of strings IMO -so I'm sure the Planet Waves are a very good tuner without trying them -Di'Addario wouldn't have it any other way.
My reservation is just a hang up with hype with Planet Waves. when they first came out they were hyping super high gear ratios -like 24:1 and I think they even had a crazy 32:1 and other superfluous marketing factors that actually are not really the primary functional and quality factor on a machine head. -just marketing hype -Machining fitment is the single overwhelming actor for a great tuner -it's why Sperzell has never increased their 12:1 ratio after decades, a super high quality between 12:1 to 18:1 is all you need if or maybe want really if you have half decent ear.
Also, -but really - is auto trim really a feature anyone needs or cares about? I always fold 180 degrees the ends of the 3 or 4 wound strings to prevent core slippage (even on hex cores) -you can't do this with an auto trim system so they are not for me. I don't see it as an advantage or saving you from any real hassle -just another marketing thing -Just my opinion
So every time I put on machine heads I go with the 3 that are the highest quality, most consistent companies (in my opinion)
Gibson style 3 and 3 -Grover 14:1 or 16:1 (My Favorite feeling tuner)
Fender style straight 6 -Sperzells Locking 12:1 (second favorite tuner) -still made in the US in Ohio by a family operation even though Reverend Guitars screwed them over.
Fender Style straight 6 #2 Schaller Locking 16:1 Fenders. maybe made by Ping or Gotoh
I haven't seen any compelling reason to ever put anything else on a guitar.
I'm sure those PWs are good if you've got your heart set on them
Di'addario is a quality company -overall they make the best offering of strings IMO -so I'm sure the Planet Waves are a very good tuner without trying them -Di'Addario wouldn't have it any other way.
My reservation is just a hang up with hype with Planet Waves. when they first came out they were hyping super high gear ratios -like 24:1 and I think they even had a crazy 32:1 and other superfluous marketing factors that actually are not really the primary functional and quality factor on a machine head. -just marketing hype -Machining fitment is the single overwhelming actor for a great tuner -it's why Sperzell has never increased their 12:1 ratio after decades, a super high quality between 12:1 to 18:1 is all you need if or maybe want really if you have half decent ear.
Also, -but really - is auto trim really a feature anyone needs or cares about? I always fold 180 degrees the ends of the 3 or 4 wound strings to prevent core slippage (even on hex cores) -you can't do this with an auto trim system so they are not for me. I don't see it as an advantage or saving you from any real hassle -just another marketing thing -Just my opinion
So every time I put on machine heads I go with the 3 that are the highest quality, most consistent companies (in my opinion)
Gibson style 3 and 3 -Grover 14:1 or 16:1 (My Favorite feeling tuner)
Fender style straight 6 -Sperzells Locking 12:1 (second favorite tuner) -still made in the US in Ohio by a family operation even though Reverend Guitars screwed them over.
Fender Style straight 6 #2 Schaller Locking 16:1 Fenders. maybe made by Ping or Gotoh
I haven't seen any compelling reason to ever put anything else on a guitar.
I'm sure those PWs are good if you've got your heart set on them
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
I have never had a tuning machine from a big brand that was unable to hold the string in tune. All tuning issues I have had have always been at the nut.....solve that issue and the guitar holds tune just fine.
I have never had a tuning machine from a big brand that was unable to hold the string in tune. All tuning issues I have had have always been at the nut.....solve that issue and the guitar holds tune just fine.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
I have a set of their auto trim locking machines on my Ehdwuld branded semi hollow
They work well hold tune
Dont slip
The only thing is to pay attention as you place the string through the hole
Make sure you have it in the correct way
One side is slightly lower than the other
So that it passes in front of the cutter
And trims the string
If threaded the wrong way
It may cut the string incorrectly
I have a set of their auto trim locking machines on my Ehdwuld branded semi hollow
They work well hold tune
Dont slip
The only thing is to pay attention as you place the string through the hole
Make sure you have it in the correct way
One side is slightly lower than the other
So that it passes in front of the cutter
And trims the string
If threaded the wrong way
It may cut the string incorrectly
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
Thanks Neg, what would the basic price point be for each of the mentioned tuners?
Thanks Neg, what would the basic price point be for each of the mentioned tuners?
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
Ehd... I always pay attention when I place things in a hole. :9: : popworm: hee hee hee -
On a serious note Ehd, I see what you mean. THAT would be a bummer, but I BET I'd only do it ONCE! :smack:
Ehd... I always pay attention when I place things in a hole. :9: : popworm: hee hee hee -
On a serious note Ehd, I see what you mean. THAT would be a bummer, but I BET I'd only do it ONCE! :smack:
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
I suppose I'm the only one who doesn't like these tuners. My high E tends to slip. ALL...THE...TIME...
I love Hipshot's tuners as well as Kluson, if it has to go on a 'budget' or if Im in a rush.
I suppose I'm the only one who doesn't like these tuners. My high E tends to slip. ALL...THE...TIME...
I love Hipshot's tuners as well as Kluson, if it has to go on a 'budget' or if Im in a rush.
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
What kind of guitar are they going on? what kind of headstock?
What kind of guitar are they going on? what kind of headstock?
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
Neg, It's an Ibanez Les Paul copy. I could look them up. I just thought you'd say something like, "$55. - $75. - $99." I can get the Planet Waves for about $55. I probably wouldn't spend much more than $60.
Thanks for the reply Neg!
BTW, Ehd, I THINK the Planet Waves - Auto Clip has a distinct little know deal to prevent putting it in the wrong way. (See pic.) Is that what that little silver ball thing is for?
Neg, It's an Ibanez Les Paul copy. I could look them up. I just thought you'd say something like, "$55. - $75. - $99." I can get the Planet Waves for about $55. I probably wouldn't spend much more than $60.
Thanks for the reply Neg!
BTW, Ehd, I THINK the Planet Waves - Auto Clip has a distinct little know deal to prevent putting it in the wrong way. (See pic.) Is that what that little silver ball thing is for?
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
So Les Paul copy?
I'd look at all the Grover options -I'd be surprised if anyone came on here and told you NOT to buy Grovers -they IMO are overall the best feeling tuner
but here are a few options in Gold, Nickel, Chrome, etc:
$50 Non-Locking:
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_an...YFz-kDt3hiN0L6CPHxDrTM0laxPQy5GsaAm22EALw_wcB
$75 Locking:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/502C--grover-roto-grip-locking-rotomatic-tuners-33-chrome
So Les Paul copy?
I'd look at all the Grover options -I'd be surprised if anyone came on here and told you NOT to buy Grovers -they IMO are overall the best feeling tuner
but here are a few options in Gold, Nickel, Chrome, etc:
$50 Non-Locking:
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_an...YFz-kDt3hiN0L6CPHxDrTM0laxPQy5GsaAm22EALw_wcB
$75 Locking:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/502C--grover-roto-grip-locking-rotomatic-tuners-33-chrome
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
I have at least half a dozen of these, maybe even close to a dozen. They work fantastic. I have never, repeat NEVER had any string slip with them. They are so simple to use, trim the strings while you tune, easy to tune accurately (if I remember correctly, they are 18:1 ratio), they stay in tune, and they are very good looking. The gold and black ones are sexy as heck.
I have at least half a dozen of these, maybe even close to a dozen. They work fantastic. I have never, repeat NEVER had any string slip with them. They are so simple to use, trim the strings while you tune, easy to tune accurately (if I remember correctly, they are 18:1 ratio), they stay in tune, and they are very good looking. The gold and black ones are sexy as heck.
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
Agreed. My LP Standard came with the Grover kidney locking tuners...never had an issue.
And I put a set on my LP Special when I took those God awful robo tuners off.
Agreed. My LP Standard came with the Grover kidney locking tuners...never had an issue.
And I put a set on my LP Special when I took those God awful robo tuners off.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
yes it is
one needs to take hold of that soon to be trimmed string
as it is hard to pick up once it flys off the tuner
and can impale a toe
if one is inclined to change strings barefoot
safety first people
yes it is
one needs to take hold of that soon to be trimmed string
as it is hard to pick up once it flys off the tuner
and can impale a toe
if one is inclined to change strings barefoot
safety first people
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
I don't know what kind of tuners it has but here's a link to the actual guitar on the Ibanez site. https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/gart60fa_03.html
Here's a pic of the tuners from an exact guitar that's for sale on Reverb:
I don't know what kind of tuners it has but here's a link to the actual guitar on the Ibanez site. https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/gart60fa_03.html
Here's a pic of the tuners from an exact guitar that's for sale on Reverb:
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Planet Waves PWAT-331L Auto-Trim Tuning Machines - Do they HOLD well???
Hey OP, as someone already pointed out -most intonation issues are downstream of tuners (at the nut and bridge and even pickup spacing) and Tuners are often blamed. You really are fine going with most BRAND name tunes and even the most rebadged overseas ones -I even have a cheap Gretsch with Malaysian tuners that feel great and perform well -not superb but I've gigged with the guitar no problems
With CNC technology, low cost automated and semi automated operations in Asia can achieve tolerances close to the traditional hand selected and fitted quality of US Sperzel, and German Schaller. As long at the materials are quality, the exacting tolerances are reached, and the units are QC'd before leaving, you won't have issues generally. Quality control is actually the most laborious step in manufacturing -paying a human to check them is extremely expensive -and that's why the premium brands are 15-20% more.
In the Microphone world, people use to think Neumanns and AKG were super expensive because of the component quality -which wasn't exactly the whole story -the big cost was in test lab QC testing on every mic and generating the report for the user -so every mic was consistent leaving the factory. It's why RODE, BLue, Octavia, and Marshall can build a cheap condensor mic -they use quality components and designs and skip most of the traditional type of QC put into the famous mics, -so you get wildly different sounding mics -some great some not so -gotta weed through them. Same with any industry. Safety is not an issue, so people can bring things to market cheap by skipping most of the QC and just replace any that make it to market with issues that a customer has issues with
Hell Grovers are made in Taiwan now and are still my other favorite tuner -probably my favorite overall. So, I wouldn't be too concerned about whatever tuner you choose being an issue if it's one of the brand names or OEM manufacturers like Gotoh and Ping etc.
Also -don't get wrapped up in gear ratio... it's not really important unless you factor other dimensions of the gearing, seating, and shaft -any tuner 12 to 18:1 is fine. It's marketing after that -anything more is like bragging that a Honda Accord has a better turner radius than a Nissan Sentra -nobody picks a compact on that factor.
Hey OP, as someone already pointed out -most intonation issues are downstream of tuners (at the nut and bridge and even pickup spacing) and Tuners are often blamed. You really are fine going with most BRAND name tunes and even the most rebadged overseas ones -I even have a cheap Gretsch with Malaysian tuners that feel great and perform well -not superb but I've gigged with the guitar no problems
With CNC technology, low cost automated and semi automated operations in Asia can achieve tolerances close to the traditional hand selected and fitted quality of US Sperzel, and German Schaller. As long at the materials are quality, the exacting tolerances are reached, and the units are QC'd before leaving, you won't have issues generally. Quality control is actually the most laborious step in manufacturing -paying a human to check them is extremely expensive -and that's why the premium brands are 15-20% more.
In the Microphone world, people use to think Neumanns and AKG were super expensive because of the component quality -which wasn't exactly the whole story -the big cost was in test lab QC testing on every mic and generating the report for the user -so every mic was consistent leaving the factory. It's why RODE, BLue, Octavia, and Marshall can build a cheap condensor mic -they use quality components and designs and skip most of the traditional type of QC put into the famous mics, -so you get wildly different sounding mics -some great some not so -gotta weed through them. Same with any industry. Safety is not an issue, so people can bring things to market cheap by skipping most of the QC and just replace any that make it to market with issues that a customer has issues with
Hell Grovers are made in Taiwan now and are still my other favorite tuner -probably my favorite overall. So, I wouldn't be too concerned about whatever tuner you choose being an issue if it's one of the brand names or OEM manufacturers like Gotoh and Ping etc.
Also -don't get wrapped up in gear ratio... it's not really important unless you factor other dimensions of the gearing, seating, and shaft -any tuner 12 to 18:1 is fine. It's marketing after that -anything more is like bragging that a Honda Accord has a better turner radius than a Nissan Sentra -nobody picks a compact on that factor.
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