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Locking tuners


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Hi Greg,

you talked a little bit about locking tuners on the last live lesson. How many turns do you recommend on locking tuners? The type that have a screw on the back of the headstock? Same amount, 2 1/2- 3 turns? Cause I see some manufacturers they have hardly half a turn

thanks

Pat

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No turns basically,  

You pull the string straight into the tuner, no slack, pull taught  , screw lock the string in and tune up.

You may get half a wrap on the tuner.

If the string is very stretchy max one full wrap.

Remember locking tuners are only to prevent string slippage in the tuner

Edited by Eracer_Team-DougH
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I don't have any locking tuners but I think they're a good idea. I'd likely put at least 1 wrap on them overwrapping  the string as well then there should be no way the string slips. N 

ps I found that coated strings like Elixers are more likely to slip. The acoustic I put them on has a slotted peghead with a hole down the middle to insert the string end. I did that with the Elixer's and wrapped it twice - three times, and the G string slipped and popped out; now the new string is trash.  (don't like Elixers anyway) 

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I haven’t tried them yet but I am debating whether or not to replace the standard tuners on my PRS SE Custom 24.   If you use a good locking wrap on a non locking tuner,  It seems to me that the main benefit of locking tuners is the ability to change strings quickly.   Just insert the string, tighten the locking screw and tune it up.    But I haven’t really had any tuning issue with the standard tuners on my PRS so for the average player I’m not really convinced they are worth it.      But Greg did seem to favor them.      

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If I was building a guitar, or it was standard great. I just can't justify spending the money to upgrade tuners that are already working well. 

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I've had locking tuners on a previous guitar, and am putting them on my current guitar.  It's just less tedious to change the strings out, and I've noticed that the rotation tends to be better than stock tuners.  Both guitars are Epiphone's though. 

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So are locking tuners worth it or not? I can only add my experience. I have a PRS SE Santana which seemed to have problems staying in tune. The strings were installed and stretched properly but after a few songs tuning would go flat. I installed the Schaller Locking Tuners and have never had a problem since. For me this was a $200. upgrade, was it worth it? Yes, less hassle stringing and no more worries about staying in tune. Possibly the size and angle of the post on PRS tuners may contribute to going out of tune quickly. The PRS forum lists the installation of locking tuners as a first priority when upgrading. What do you think Ron? Any issues with yours?

Here is an attachment from Sweetwater, " 6 hacks for keeping your guitar in tune".

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/6-hacks-for-keeping-your-guitar-in-tune/

Henk

Edited by Oldjock
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Are locking tuners worth it.

General answer: no

If you can get a good wrap with no tuning issues really no need to replace the tuners.

I put a set of lockers on my cheap car guitar Chinese Strat clone from Guitarfetish.com and for $35usd, couldn't be happier 

Would I swap out on my Gibson or Fender, only if I was having problems 

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Locking tuners work great.  Two Fenders with them. No wraps, great tuning stability with 10-46  Slinkys.  Fender recommends tuning down vs tuning up to pitch.

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I got locking tuners for my Strat at Christmas. I think they work great. On a rare occasion I have to tweak the tuning but not often. Plus it makes changing the strings a snap.

Edited by dan0725
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