Should I get locking tuners?

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

I'm used to not having locking tuners
I don't really know how they work, but on stage or gigs I would tune the guitar after a song or 2, so I wouldn't need to lock and unlock them

You still have plenty of tuning freedom. The locking tuners "lock" onto the strings when you pull them through so you don't have to wind as much on to the post and try to wrap it to make it hold. You still have to wind it a bit (usually far less than a full wrap on the posts) to get it in tune. Locking, in this case, doesn't mean that they're locked in tune, though they're often sturdier than many of the non-locking tuners.

I got mine as a birthday present because I needed new tuners for the Predator I had just bought. I had to get a reamer to enlarge the holes, but it was a pretty simple proceedure to install them. I like them because of the quick string changes, and they look really good, too.

 

[theodie]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Don´t take it too seriously, it´s not meant to be mean...

But proper sentence structure, spelling and grammar can make or break any statement... woth one you get pigeonholed as a "dumb kid" regardless of what you say, and the other people will generally listen regardless of wwhat you say. And some people like myself (ie. those that don´t spend 24/7/365 on the forum but use it as a break from work or other stupidity) just get easily annoyed when the "relaxing part" is even more tedious than the actual work

fftopic:

This is the guitar shop not grammer class you asshat!:chairfall
:chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

asshat

Asshat?!

Is that like an assclown?

 

[RW James]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Don´t take it too seriously, it´s not meant to be mean...

But proper sentence structure, spelling and grammar can make or break any statement... woth one you get pigeonholed as a "dumb kid" regardless of what you say, and the other people will generally listen regardless of wwhat you say. And some people like myself (ie. those that don´t spend 24/7/365 on the forum but use it as a break from work or other stupidity) just get easily annoyed when the "relaxing part" is even more tedious than the actual work

Nice explanation... and without getting rude! Thank you for doing that.

Oh, and, thanks for the discussion about locking tuners - I've wondered a lot of this myself. It seems my "G" string is always slipping out of tune. Maybe this would help.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

In all the years I've played I've never owned locking tuners.

Once I figured out how to set up a nut right and make sure the string doesn't bind I never found that I had the need.

For a well maintained instrument they're almost totally unneccesary.

And I've never bought the "changing them quickly on stage" argument. If you're even remotely professional then you have a backup axe with you. I'd never suspect anyone who changes a string on stage, with a locking tuner or not, to be anything but a total amateur out on their first gig. It's one of those faux paus that go along with making the crowd listen to you tune, plinking away between songs and stopping/restarting a song as a band because you didn't do it right.

 

[big_black]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

It's a heck of a lot easier to change pickups, etc. without having to worry about scratching your top, kinking a string, or having to buy a new set. I is much easier, since you don't have to knot them at the post.....although you still can if you want. :6:

 

[big_black]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Oh, and, thanks for the discussion about locking tuners - I've wondered a lot of this myself. It seems my "G" string is always slipping out of tune. Maybe this would help.

Check your nut. I may need to be recut, smoothed out or lubed with a bit of graphite.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

every guitar should have them for the sheer speed of changing strings. once you try them, you will wonder why they are not on every guitar.

 

[RW James]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Check your nut. I may need to be recut, smoothed out or lubed with a bit of graphite.

I've started using Nut Sauce, and it has helped a lot. I probably do need to change out my nuts - but that is one of those things that kind of scares me at this point.

 

[theodie]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Asshat?!

Is that like an assclown?

Same kind of neighborhood!:laugh2: :laugh2:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

another fav is assbag...assmonkey...but I have to admit, I had never heard asshat...

 

[theodie]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Christian, you are a Jabroni! Bet you havent heard that one in a while!






Jabroni!

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Check your nut. I may need to be recut, smoothed out or lubed with a bit of graphite.

It should also be mentioned that if you use something like graphite then take the time to clean it out before you re-apply.

With that said graphite became obsolete with me once I started using Tri-Flow. It's a teflon-based lube I've been using for almost 20 years with no ill-effects.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

but I have to admit, I had never heard asshat...

I'm surprised Luke hasn't called you one at some point in time!



I think there are a lot of people that are of the mindset that locking tuners are a tuning fix. But they really serve only eliminate the need to properly wrap the strings on the tuners. A loose tuner (locking or not) or a poorly cut nut will always leave you with tuning problems.

 

[B2D]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

I got locking tuners on my first guitar - a '98 MIM strat - because the stock tuners were really horrible and to this day i can still remember my initial surprise at how well they held tune plus the tonal improvement they made.

Now I don't use trems as much and I've learned a few tricks over the years on how to wind strings in a manner so that they won't slip and will hold tune better, plus I use various lubes on the nut. My Diamondplate Strat has the vintage-style klusons and they hold tune REAL well. But if I was using a non-locking trem I'd probably want locking tuners more. My Silhouette is a hardtail with Schaller locking units but it would work just as wel with non-lockign ones, I bet.

 

[big_black]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

I did notice a slight change in tone and feel when I made the switch from stock Klusons to the heavier Grovers. It feels like the neck is resonating less with the Grovers on....prolly due to the extra weight.

 

[51501984]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

just in case i think Ill get a good luthier, its an american standard not a mex


THANKS EVERYONE!

I`ve put these tuners http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Replacement/Parts?sku=361333 on MIM Strats and US Strats and they fit without any problems. Trust me If I can install them so can you. As everyone else has said it makes re-stringing a breeze.

 

[Kam]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Check your nut. I may need to be recut, smoothed out or lubed with a bit of graphite.

So, that guy wonders why his G string is sticking and you advise him to check his nut and either smooth it or lube it up?

I know it's sophomoric as hell but that was so hilarious....

 

[big_black]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

Check your nut. I may need to be recut, smoothed out or lubed with a bit of graphite.

I was talking about me. :6:

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Should I get locking tuners?

A really well set-up guitar with normal tuners won't go out of tune any more then one with locking tuners (opinion of someone who isn't a whammy junkie). I HOWEVER have locking tuners on all 3 of my guitars for ease of string changing (and maybe the illusion that they stay in tune longer). I own sperzels, schallers, and planet waves. I can equally recommend all 3 so try to go with whatever fits in the guitar instead of brand name. The less holes you have to put in a guitar the better.