Locking tuners

[Slartibartfarst42]

I find I'm having to consider an upgrade to locking tuners for one of my PRS guitars. It's a PRS SE Custom 24. I've heard people complain about the tuning stability of this model guitar before but I've always ignored it as my first experience was a 25th Anniversary Custom 24 that simply never goes out of tune. It may only be an SE model but I swear it needs only marginally more tuning than my old Jackson which had an OFR on it! Unfortunately, the new PRS SE CU24 I recently bought does not seem to be able to match this very high standard and needs regular retuning with some strings going flat and others going sharp. Perhaps I was just lucky with the tuners on my first one. Anyway, which locking tuners could I get that would fit straight in without any alterations needed (or at least very minimal and easy alterations)? Links would be helpful.

Thanks

[dvorak]

I have grover 406C in my SEs. Slots right in with no mods.

There are a few from other manufacturers as well, but I have always used Grovers. Tons of threads on prsforums.com on this if you want alternatives.

[Brow]

Is the mounting tab on the current machine head straight or at a 45 degree angle?

That'll make it easier to recommend a particular brand etc.

I changed the locking tuners on my PRS CU22 for a set of Grover Rotomatics and have been very happy with them.

I've also just bought a set of Vanson locking machineheads for my Eggle Climaxe guitar, which are cheaper than the Grovers and also look very sturdy.

[dvorak]

Alright, had a look at prsforums.com so you don't have to register.

These fit bolt on:
Grover Rotomatics 406C
Schaller M6 back locking tuners (TLK 0976-010)


Also note, don't get the Shaller Mini M6, they will not fit, only the bigger model.

http://www.thomann.de/se/schaller_m6klemm_3r_3l_nickel.htm
http://www.thomann.de/se/grover_406c_mini_locking_rotomatics_c.htm

And as brow stated, the bolt is on a 45deg on these.

[Telerocker]

Sperzels are absolute topnotch. They make 3+3 lockingtuners, but I don't know if they fit a PRS.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

sperzel would be a good choice for a PRS. Unless you need locking tuners then get schaller.

[Philly Q]

I've got Schallers on a PRS SE, but my personal favourites are Gotohs, just to throw another name into the mix.  :lol:

That said, I haven't tried any bad locking tuners.

Anything with a 45-degree angled screw tab will fit without modification, Sperzels would need some holes drilled and would leave the existing screw holes exposed.

Having said all that, have you considered the nut?  I don't know what they're like on newer SEs, but the nut on my SE is absolute rubbish, made out of some nasty plastic which looks a bit like a USA PRS nut but is really nothing like it.

[Dmoney]

where is the best place to get schallers?
I want some M6 top locking jobs but I can't find anywhere that stocks them, or any meaningful part number to search for. I hate trying to buy schaller parts.

[Philly Q]

Touchstone Tonewoods are very good for Schaller, although they're not cheap:

http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/search.aspx?man=17&cat=3&keywords=locking&mseo=Schaller&cseo=Guitars+%26+Fretted+Instruments


And this bloke on eBay has a lot of Schaller stuff, even some of the parts in unusual finishes like ruthenium and vintage copper:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schaller-7502a-M6-Top-Locking-tuners-machine-heads-3x3-Chrome-/370637995906?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item564bbeff82

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I've got Schallers on a PRS SE, but my personal favourites are Gotohs, just to throw another name into the mix.  :lol:

That said, I haven't tried any bad locking tuners.

Anything with a 45-degree angled screw tab will fit without modification, Sperzels would need some holes drilled and would leave the existing screw holes exposed.

Having said all that, have you considered the nut?  I don't know what they're like on newer SEs, but the nut on my SE is absolute rubbish, made out of some nasty plastic which looks a bit like a USA PRS nut but is really nothing like it.

how could I forget? yes gotoh are also my favourite too, they seem the best quality.

[Dave Sloven]

I've heard people complain about the tuning stability of this model guitar before but I've always ignored it as my first experience was a 25th Anniversary Custom 24 that simply never goes out of tune.

This is my experience with my Greg Bennett D5 acoustic.  I thought last night that I'd better check it with the tuner and with the exception of the B string everything was spot-on.  The B string was a bugger to tune in though so I am assuming it's something to do with the nut.  I might need to put some lubricant on the nut.  Otherwise it was perfect!  It has Grovers.  It also still has its original strings (might need changing by now), so no issues introduced by a bad stringing job on my part.

My SG goes out of tune a lot now since it was restrung when I installed the BKPs.  I tend to think this is because the strings have been backed off a lot twice since then when removing the bridge for various reasons, rather than it being the fault of the strings or the original stringing job I did. Again this might in part be some kind of issue with the nut, but it might also involve the interaction between some kind of kinking (maybe mild) of the strings causing issues either with the tuners or the nut.  It has Klusons.

My Explorer goes out of tune nearly as much as the SG.  Not sure why, but it could be a couple of reasons.  I've always had issues with the B string on that guitar.  Could be the headstock design, or again it could be an issue with the nut.  Also I installed 'Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom' strings on it without enlarging the slots in the nut for the E, A, & D strings.  They might be okay but they might also be a little tight.  It has Grovers.  I used to get a 'ping' on the B string before I changed strings last time but I suspect that might have been something to do with the nut rather than the tuner as changing strings seems to have fixed it.

I would look at the nut before changing things around ...

[Slartibartfarst42]

Thanks, there's some great suggestions there but before I spend the thick end of £100 on some new tuners it would make sense to take a look at this nut issue as that is potentially a rather cheaper fix and certainly a cheaper upgrade. Is there a specific material that works best? I'm assuming either metal or bone would be best based only on the fact that they seem to be the most expensive options.

[Dave Sloven]

I only had a new nut fitted once.  It was brass and it took weeks for them to do the job, but then I found I had string rattle issues all of the time, I don't know if this was because they set the action too low at the nut or there was some issue with the truss rod or the bridge height.  I was young and dumb and there wasn't the internet to help me then.  It might also be the case that the brightness of brass amplified the rattle sound.

You might want to try some quick fixes with graphite (people say rub a B pencil in the groove) before changing the nut. If you do change the nut maybe try a bone nut.  Standard Gibson nuts are 'corian'.  Anyway watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBrjK3smNrw

[FELINEGUITARS]

I find I'm having to consider an upgrade to locking tuners for one of my PRS guitars. It's a PRS SE Custom 24. I've heard people complain about the tuning stability of this model guitar before but I've always ignored it as my first experience was a 25th Anniversary Custom 24 that simply never goes out of tune. It may only be an SE model but I swear it needs only marginally more tuning than my old Jackson which had an OFR on it! Unfortunately, the new PRS SE CU24 I recently bought does not seem to be able to match this very high standard and needs regular retuning with some strings going flat and others going sharp. Perhaps I was just lucky with the tuners on my first one. Anyway, which locking tuners could I get that would fit straight in without any alterations needed (or at least very minimal and easy alterations)? Links would be helpful.

Thanks

Show us a picture of the tuners first and I'll point you in the right direction as far as ones that require little drilling

[Philly Q]

Thanks, there's some great suggestions there but before I spend the thick end of £100 on some new tuners it would make sense to take a look at this nut issue as that is potentially a rather cheaper fix and certainly a cheaper upgrade. Is there a specific material that works best? I'm assuming either metal or bone would be best based only on the fact that they seem to be the most expensive options.

For use with a tremolo, you want something that's low friction, which doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive option.

Graph Tech make a model specifically for PRS SE guitars.  It's pre-slotted but ideally you might want a tech to fit it and set it up perfectly.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAPH-TECH-BLACK-TUSQ-XL-SLOTTED-NUT-PRS-SE-GUITAR-43X6mm-PT-6643-00-/330981922368?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4d100f5640