Author Topic: Locking tuners... worth it? + which ones? (Read 19435 times)

sambo · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2006, 06:19:34 PM »

thanks jonathan... im a bit cr@p at stringing so they will probably help me by the sounds of things lol

i take it nuts can be done at any guitar shop? what kinda price are they?....

and nick- oooooooo i see.... ill try that next time im re-stringing.

Antag · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2006, 07:02:17 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

They said:
Graph Tech Guitar Labs and TonePros Sound Labs International have combined forces to create the SuperBridge, a TonePros® signature Tune-o-matic locking bridge featuring Graph Tech’s patented String Saver™ saddles.

OK, I don't mean to sound cynical but where/what is the "locking" element in that bridge? :)

sambo · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2006, 07:04:56 PM »

mm i dont see it either :? lol

thanks for the info Jonathon again.

Antag · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2006, 07:10:27 PM »

Locking nuts do make stringing easier as you don't need to wrap the string round the post, just pull it through the hole til there's very little slack, lock it in place & tune it to pitch in a few turns.

However, the majority of tuning problems come from the nut. The pencil-lead in the nut slot trick Dakine referred to is easy & cheap to try (for best results use a really soft lead pencil from an arts/crafts shop) - the graphite reduces friction between the string & the nut. You can also get dedicated lubircants such as Big Bends Nut Sauce.

I guess any repairman/luthier can replace a nut, but I'd prefer to have someone I can trust work on my guitars - the repairman I use charges around £40

I've had very few guitars where the machineheads themselves have been responsible for tuning problems - sods law, one of them is my Nailbomb Les Paul - one of my favourite guitars :roll: but beware that you may need to ream the tuner holes out and/or drill guideholes to fit different tuners to your guitar....

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2006, 07:44:58 PM »

Quote from: Antag

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
They said:
Graph Tech Guitar Labs and TonePros Sound Labs International have combined forces to create the SuperBridge, a TonePros® signature Tune-o-matic locking bridge featuring Graph Tech’s patented String Saver™ saddles.

OK, I don't mean to sound cynical but where/what is the "locking" element in that bridge? :)

The Tonepros bridges lock onto the mounting posts with grub screws.
Increaes the resoance/coupling with the body- it all helps

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2006, 10:07:56 PM »

Also prevents inadvertant intonation adjustment when restringing.
The Tonepros is nice but it's REALLY expensive. The Wilkinson is much cheaper.
Graphtech saddles really increase sustain and reduce string breakage, BUT you do need to be aware that they will make your tone brighter.

WezV · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2006, 09:40:16 AM »

I think a lot of people get confused by the term 'locking tuner', There main job is not to lock the guitar in tune!!

On trem equipped guitars without locking nuts the string windings on the tuner post are constantly being loosened and re-tightened as the trem is used - this is one of the reasons for tuning instability in trem equipped guitars. The locking tuners job is to do away with the windings on the post to stop this problem. This is less of a problem on guitars like les pauls, and most modern tuners (even the cheap ones) are usually quite capable of holding a guitar in tune. Thats why its worth checking all other areas of tuning instability first if you are having problems - particularly the nut.

I like locking tuners though and do use them on non-trem guitars for the string changing advantages already mentioned. I have tried a few different sets so heres my verdict:

Grovers
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/1/Grover_Locking_Guitar_Machines/Pictures.html#details

These are slightly confusing if you loose the instructions but they have the major advantage of looking just like normal tuners. They automatically lock onto the string as you tune. I find you still need some windings on these tuners as they dont always lock perfectly on the thin strings.

Schaller
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/1/Schaller_Locking_Guitar_Machines/Pictures.html#details

These are pretty much the standard, they act just like a normal tuner except there is a thumbwheel for locking the string in the post. The only problem i have is cosmetic, the chrome plating looks a little cheap too me.

Planet waves

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/1/Planet_Waves_Auto-Trim_Locking_Guitar_Machines/Pictures.html#details

These are my favorites and really make string changes quick and easy!! They feel solid and high quality but the black and chrome look doesnt look right on all guitars.

There are other brands but these are the ones i have tried

Philly Q · « **Reply #22 on:** September 17, 2006, 11:33:39 AM »

Wez, bit surprised you find the plating on the Schallers looks cheap. I've tried both the Schallers and Planet Waves and to me the quality of the plating seems very close. Both have a few tiny marks here and there, but if anything I'd give the edge to the Schallers. I also find the Schallers possibly feel a little smoother in use.

They're both very good though. The PWs might be slightly lighter in weight, and I like the way they clip the strings.

Another thing to bear in mind - with Sperzels or Planet Waves you'd almost certainly need to widen the holes on the front of the headstock. I'm not sure what kind of tuners the Melody Maker has - are they attached by nuts on the front of the headstock or are there push-in bushings? If the latter, you'd probably need to enlarge the holes all the way through the headstock.

sambo · « **Reply #23 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:09:33 PM »

thanks again guys!

wezv thats really interesting cheers... i hadnt even considered the PW's yet... ill check em out.

cheers Feline for the pics and Antag and Ben thanks for the info.

s'all useful stuff.

as far as how the tuners are attached.. im pretty sure its two little pins or something in the back... theyre gibsons Deluxe ones... a pin at the top and one at the bottom... ive only seen one brand of locking tuners in the same style... so im pretty sure ill need work done whichever i get.

maliciousteve · « **Reply #24 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:35:13 PM »

Quote from: sambo

woooooooooooooah!

cheers guys, thanks for all the info, its ALL really helpful...

ok so... from the beginning:

bainzy: you mentioned how the strings are wrapped round the pegs makes a difference... is there a particular method you use then? and ill look into the nut e.t.c. thanks for the heads up.

j.t- cheers- i probably will be gigging regularly and the fact that it makes re-stringing really easy is a good thing to know.

froglord: i used to stretch them by winding the pegs on (i.e. tuning them really high before tuning them properly)... but have recently found out its better to just physically pull/stretch them... ??? and i used to leave strings on for yonks but have started changing more regularly. cheers.

steve- what do you use to lubricate the bridge + nut?

ben- cheers for all the info... ive seen the roller saddles bridge around... youd recommend them then? and i thought about an Earvana ages ago but couldnt find anywhere to get one from i dont think...

oh and nick- what the hell is that pencil lead trick thing...?

cheeeers guys.

You can get this stuff called Nut Sauce. It's basically like an oil that you just squeeze from a tube onto the strings and the nut and at the bridge. Costs about £7.50 but that will last you a long time.

Those graphtech saddles look promising too,

hunter · « **Reply #25 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:00:17 PM »

Hey Sambo,

Had the same issue with my LP Special.

I put these in which fit perfectly in the holes of the original Gibson ones and solved all my tuning issues, great product (but 50 GBP)

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/shop/products.php?category=214&product=5142

WezV · « **Reply #26 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:25:43 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Wez, bit surprised you find the plating on the Schallers looks cheap. I've tried both the Schallers and Planet Waves and to me the quality of the plating seems very close. Both have a few tiny marks here and there, but if anything I'd give the edge to the Schallers. I also find the Schallers possibly feel a little smoother in use.

Probably just had a bad set then

headtheball · « **Reply #27 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:26:49 PM »

I've got a set of USA Sperzel Trim-lok heads on My Eggle and I absolutely wouldn't be without them. They just make life so much easier.

One thing though. Be really careful not to unscrew the locking nut too far, or you'll shag the threads completely. Which is not a good thing...

Anyone know if those Self locking-self trimming Steinberger tuners are available yet?

As far as i know the work like these: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Planet_Waves_Auto-Trim_Locking_Guitar_Machines.html

But look and are as well engineered as these:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Steinberger_Gearless_Tuners.html

I like the Idea of that....

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #28 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:47:04 PM »

Jonathon, how much are those bridges (and how much to fit one???)

sambo, can't help unfortunately, i'm useless at these things, but have fun all the same, sorry for the mini-hijack :D

Neemo · « **Reply #29 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:59:44 PM »

you can change strings a lot faster on a floyd eguipped guitar if it has locking tuners

Author Topic: Locking tuners... worth it? + which ones? (Read 19435 times)

maliciousteve