Locking Tuners

**jckoto3** · 06-02-2013, 01:22 AM

One of the things I really, really like about Fender "vintage-style" tuners is that the string is pre-cut and the pointy end is inserted into the tuner post in such a manner that does not leave any sharp protrusions. Despite my joke above in the thread about getting sepsis and dieing from a string stab, I too got nailed by the sharp end of a string, right up under the fingernail, and it took a remarkably long time to heal. Like months. Got me pretty good I guess.

Still gives me shivers thinking about it.

**Just Russ** · 12-26-2019, 11:28 AM

I have a set of Sperzels that were given to me to put on a Gretsch and I was hesitant to do so because they're heavier than the guitar's standard tuners.

But then I got a Jim Root Tele and that comes with locking tuners and I'm a convert. I'm putting the Gretsch under for surgery later in 2020 to change the pots and swap the pickup/mud switch. I think I'm going to change the tuners then, too. Being able to lock down the string on a Bigsby-equipped guitar is definitely a good thing.

**icr** · 12-26-2019, 11:54 AM

Locking nut, yes. Locking tuner does nothing more than correct string wrap around the peg does. I remember when the locking tuners came on the market and I was not sure to whom they were marketed. Novices that don't know how to wrap the string on the tuner?

**Woody Sound** · 12-26-2019, 12:23 PM

Even thought they are proprietary (but you can buy them separately), I would have included PRS in your poll. I like the way they lock from the top, instead of the back.

**TedBPhx** · 12-26-2019, 12:54 PM

Sperzels on the Strat and I also really like the lockers on my ‘94 PRS. I understand the current PRS design is a little different.

**Skip Ellis** · 12-26-2019, 01:15 PM

I checked 'other' which, to me, means 'none'. Haven't needed them for 60 years of playing and don't need them now. I know how to install strings so they don't slip. Never had a tuning problem even on pedal steel with the constant string stretching from using the pedals and knee levers. You learn to install them so they're stable. No rocket surgery to it - these things seem to be a solution looking for a problem.

**lammie200** · 12-26-2019, 01:39 PM

I like lockers for the convenience of string changes. Some makes are not much heavier than nonlockers if at all. Hipshots on my Fender partscaster types because they offer small butterbean knobs and are two-pin drop ins with no small mounting screws. Kluson Revolution on a couple of my Gibsons because they offer pearloid knobs that look close to original and have a footprint that is an exact fit to the originals. I also have some guitars with conventional tuners and am good with those as well. They can't really be changed out for lockers because no direct replacement lockers will fit without modifications. In other words, I wouldn't go so far as to modify a guitar just to put lockers on them.

**Gabor** · 12-26-2019, 02:11 PM

Why there is no option for not using locking tuners at all?

Maybe I am lucky but my guitars are never go out of tune just because of the tempersture change (all stings equal degree sharp or flat). So I have to tune them regularly to play with iReal or Aebersold. But using locking tuners would not help on that... Needless to say I have no bigsby neither bending...

**Woody Sound** · 12-26-2019, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Gabor

Why there is no option for not using locking tuners at all?

Just don't check any of the boxes.

**Woody Sound** · 12-26-2019, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

I checked 'other' which, to me, means 'none'. Haven't needed them for 60 years of playing and don't need them now.

Just don't check any of the boxes.

**rpjazzguitar** · 12-26-2019, 04:53 PM

My Yamaha Pacifica cheapie stays in tune really well with Gotoh tuners.

My Comins GCS-1 does not stay in tune nearly as well. Not sure why. I attach the strings to the posts the same way on both guitars. Pencil lead trick in the nut slots didn't help.

Since the Yamaha stays in tune (can often play a night without retuning), I don't see why I should need locking tuners on any guitar. The Yamaha seems to prove that you don't need locking tuners to stay in tune.

**Alter** · 12-26-2019, 06:00 PM

I install them on electrics that I gig with. I've never had tuning problems with any guitar I've owned, but when it comes to changing strings, once locking tuners spoil you.. I remember breaking two strings on a gig once, keyboard player took a solo and I was ready and in tune in no time. I'm very efficient in changing strings with normal tuners, have all the tools etc, but there's just no comparison.

I've tried a few brands, and I think sperzels are one level above everything else. Although on my tele I have different ones, the ones that look like vintage normal tuners. Don't like them though..

**Doug B** · 12-26-2019, 10:25 PM

I had Fender locking tuners on my strat partscaster, but I decided to change to flat wound strings. Well, wouldn't ya know it-I started breaking strings left right and center! These were TI flats, so not cheap strings. Maybe it was because they have a round core?

Anyway when I swapped out the locking Fender tuners for regular Wilkinson non-lockers, the flat wounds stopped breaking! Eight months and no breakage!

**Gabor** · 12-27-2019, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Just don't check any of the boxes.

then it gives "You did not select an option to vote for. Please press back to return to the poll and choose an option before voting."

**cosmic gumbo** · 12-27-2019, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by Gabor

then it gives "You did not select an option to vote for. Please press back to return to the poll and choose an option before voting."

If anyone cared about the poll, it wouldn't have died 6 1/2 years ago.....

**plinko** · 12-27-2019, 11:05 AM

I don't use locking tuners on any of my archtops, but love Gotoh HAPM on 6 on the side Fender-style necks, and Gotoh Magnum lock otherwise. The HAPM has the extra benefit of being heigh adjustable, so you can get away without having a string tee.

I hate the extra bulk of locking mechanism on normal locking tuners.

**GNAPPI** · 12-27-2019, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

If anyone cared about the poll, it wouldn't have died 6 1/2 years ago.....

Reading the date of the OP, good idea to keep most old (risen from the dead zombie) threads where they belong... dead.

OTOH, on infrequent occasions a zombie thread presents (again) old info new members either cannot find or don't search for.

**Woody Sound** · 12-27-2019, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Gabor

then it gives "You did not select an option to vote for. Please press back to return to the poll and choose an option before voting."

Sorry, I thought it asked "Which locking tuners do you use?," and gave a closed-ended multiple choice. Not, "Do you use locking tuners or not, and why?" Obviously my mistake.

**pingu** · 12-29-2019, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Doug B

I had Fender locking tuners on my strat partscaster, but I decided to change to flat wound strings. Well, wouldn't ya know it-I started breaking strings left right and center! These were TI flats, so not cheap strings. Maybe it was because they have a round core?

Anyway when I swapped out the locking Fender tuners for regular Wilkinson non-lockers, the flat wounds stopped breaking! Eight months and no breakage!

I tried some lockers (sorry can't remember the make but it was
a well known brand though ,with TI flats and they broke multiple wound strings at the tuner posts)

does anyone successfully use any make of lockers with TI flats ?

**Jim Soloway** · 12-29-2019, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by pingu

I tried some lockers (sorry can't remember the make but it was
a well known brand though ,with TI flats and they broke multiple wound strings at the tuner posts)

does anyone successfully use any make of lockers with TI flats ?

I did for many years , first with Sperzels but mostly with Hipshots. I never had a problem.

**lammie200** · 12-29-2019, 02:17 PM

I am with Jim - no problems. Like I said Hipshots and Klusons, although I did have one with Schallers. No problems on any of them.

**helios** · 12-29-2019, 03:36 PM

I have these on one of my guitars and they work great!
Gotoh 510-MGT Delta Series 3x3 Locking Tuners 21:1 Gold TK-7247-002

**Jim Soloway** · 12-29-2019, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by helios

I have these on one of my guitars and they work great!
Gotoh 510-MGT Delta Series 3x3 Locking Tuners 21:1 Gold TK-7247-002

Their high end tuners are really great in every respect. Well designed, well engineered and well machined.

**P.J.** · 05-12-2022, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

I haven't used locking tuners on any of my guitars in 35 years, play blues, funk, r&b, plenty of string bending, including a strat with whammy...never any tuning problems. I know how to install strings so they don't slip, and keep the nut slots lubricated. Maybe I don't understand locking tuners.

Locking Tuners just make changing strings less of a chore. That is why have them on almost all my electrics.

**Hammertone** · 05-12-2022, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Clamps

I've got locking tuners on my jazzmaster, because I can divebomb that baby with no regrets. Not too frequently in a 'jazz' setting, but occasionally it might help

Please explain how to divebomb on a Jazzmaster.