Fender vintage style tuners

[TheIronBeast]

My friend gave me an old strat last week that he didn't want, it needed a lot of work done to it to make it playable so thats why he gave it away. The guitar has Fender vintage style tuners, you know the ones with the slots in them. I haven't come across these ones before and have quite a dislike to them, I find them really annoying when stringing.

I am going to change out the tuners and was just wondering if you guys know what tuners would fit the holes of the vintage style tuners? I was told that if I was fitting Grovers the holes would need to be drilled bigger and I'm not really wanting to do that. I think I read somewhere that Schaller tuners fit in.

[AndyR]

Philly or someone will be yer man - but yeh, I remember we had to dick about filling the holes in a Squier years ago so that I could put slotted tuners in.

When you've figured out how to use them, slotted tuners (imho, of course :lol:) beat the holy-cr@p out anything else - they don't slip, they're fast to change, even faster to take off, and they look SO tidy :D

[Elliot]

Wilkinson makes some cheapish ones - I personally like the 2 hole Eze Lock's system - but you don't have to use it - just use one whole instead.

[Philly Q]

Is it just the slot head you dislike, or the look/feel of the tuners?

If it's the former, a set of locking Kluson-style Gotohs is a great direct replacement:

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tuning-keys/guitar/locking-6-in-line-keys/gotoh-locking-tuning-keys-vintage-style-6-in-line-2-p-2992.html

Other than that, nearly all modern cast/sealed tuners like Grovers, Schallers, Sperzels etc need a 13/32" (10mm) hole rather than the 11/32" for vintage tuners.

[TheIronBeast]

The actual tuner I don't mind, it's only when putting strings on that I just can't get the hang of. I don't like having the split peg.

A lot of people have said to me that they are the easiest to use, maybe I just need more time with them  :lol:

[Philly Q]

Yeah, they are easy - when you get used to them. 

I have locking tuners on nearly all my guitars, just because I hate string changing, but the split post ones are so simple to use they hardly need replacing.

[PhilKing]

The actual tuner I don't mind, it's only when putting strings on that I just can't get the hang of. I don't like having the split peg.

A lot of people have said to me that they are the easiest to use, maybe I just need more time with them  :lol:

If you cut the string to about 2" (5cm) longer than where the tuner you are stringing to is, then just tuck it down the middle hole and tighten, they are easy.  As a quick guide I always cut them 2 tuners futher along (obviously not the B & top E).  So for the low E, cut at the D tuner, for A at the G and so on.

[TheIronBeast]

I have locking tuners on nearly all my guitars, just because I hate string changing, but the split post ones are so simple to use they hardly need replacing.

I have locking tuners on my 2008 American standard strat, is there any locking tuners that would fit the smaller holes?

[Philly Q]

I have locking tuners on my 2008 American standard strat, is there any locking tuners that would fit the smaller holes?

Yeah, the Kluson-style Gotohs I mentioned above are a direct replacement:

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tuning-keys/guitar/locking-6-in-line-keys/gotoh-locking-tuning-keys-vintage-style-6-in-line-2-p-2992.html

They're a bit pricey, but you can usually find them cheaper on eBay.

[TheIronBeast]

Ah didn't realise they were locking ones. Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.

[AndyR]

The actual tuner I don't mind, it's only when putting strings on that I just can't get the hang of. I don't like having the split peg.

A lot of people have said to me that they are the easiest to use, maybe I just need more time with them  :lol:

If you cut the string to about 2" (5cm) longer than where the tuner you are stringing to is, then just tuck it down the middle hole and tighten, they are easy.  As a quick guide I always cut them 2 tuners futher along (obviously not the B & top E).  So for the low E, cut at the D tuner, for A at the G and so on.

That's exactly what I do Phil - cut them "2 tuners" worth past the post :)

IronBeast - if it's any consolation, I learnt this for myself 20-odd years ago, but it took me two or three string changes to perfect it, and before that I was cursing whoever invented these slotted f*ckers! :lol:

[Twinfan]

The "two tuners" length is what I use too.

For Gibsons and PRSs etc, I use the distance between the nut and the first fret  ;)

[Andrew W]

That's exactly what I do Phil - cut them "2 tuners" worth past the post :)

...it took me two or three string changes to perfect it, and before that I was cursing whoever invented these slotted f*ckers!

I third this.  I put Kluson slotted tuners on my Highway One Strat because I wanted a more vintage overall feel to the instrument never having had dealings with them before.  It took a couple of goes before I "got it" and now I wouldn't go back.  I find I'm much less likely to stab myself with the strings I'm trying to put on with the slotted tuners than the Schallers on my Charvel, beautifully engineered though they are.  If you can bear it, hang fire on the swapping vintage tuners for a couple of string changes, you may change your mind.

[AndyR]

The "two tuners" length is what I use too.

For Gibsons and PRSs etc, I use the distance between the nut and the first fret  ;)

Are you saying you cut the strings before threading on standard "gibson type" tuners?? I only do it on the slotted fender types...

On others I always string em up first, then give it a "hair cut" when the strings have settled :lol:

[Twinfan]

Sorry - didn't make myself clear did I?  :lol:

I line up the tuner hole so it's pointing towards the nut.  Then I thread the string though and pull it tight.  I then bring it back the distance between the nut and the first fret.  I then wrap the loose end back on itself so it locks in place as I wind the tuner up, tune to pitch, then cut the end of the string off.

If that makes sense?