F*** Sperzel tuners.

[Jusatele]

it may be a technique thing
I take mine, measure them, bend the string and set it in the tuner and lock it, it takes about1/2 a  turn to tune it and the string is just over a full wrap when finished

My first set of locking tuners were on my PRS, and for about 3 string changes I hated them, then suddenly it all fell into place and now I prefer them.

 

[AprioriMark]

I literally have had Sperzels on over 20 guitars, and they're the ONLY tuner that's never given me problems.  It's so weird to me that you're having issues.  I don't wind a wrap at all, by the way.  I just pull it through, tighten the lock and tune to pitch.  I play pretty darned aggressively, and I never have pitch issues.

Schallers, on the other hand... I have taken those off every guitar but one for NONLOCKING gotohs, because they stay in tune.  I hate HATE HATE Schallers.

-Mark

 

[Big V]

I literally have had Sperzels on over 20 guitars, and they're the ONLY tuner that's never given me problems.  It's so weird to me that you're having issues.  I don't wind a wrap at all, by the way.  I just pull it through, tighten the lock and tune to pitch.  I play pretty darned aggressively, and I never have pitch issues.

Schallers, on the other hand... I have taken those off every guitar but one for NONLOCKING gotohs, because they stay in tune.  I hate HATE HATE Schallers.

-Mark

It seems that you guys have had som misfortune :dontknow:
I believe that both Sperzels and Schallers are wonderful tuners. I mean, ESP use sperzels for a reason :toothy11:

 

[Cagey]

I've also used Sperzels and Schallers on numerous instruments over the years, as have a number of people I know. No problems anywhere. In fact, it's a standard thing to do to a guitar now before anything else. If it doesn't have lockers of some type, it gets either some Sperzels or Schallers. Anything less seems almost barbaric <grin>

 

[Justinginn]

PW all the way. Cutting the ends off is not a gimmic. Sometimes it's a lifesaver. Nobody want's to walk onstage with a guitar that looks like it needs a shave. :tard:

 

[The Norwegian Guy]

I have used both schaller and sperzel tuners - and I use schallers on my guitars except my gibsons. I used to have a strat with sperzel tuners, but I didn't like them. Schaller for the win!

 

[JamesL]

At least I know I'm not the only one to have problems with them.

 

[chrisg]

I'm using 2 sets of Sperzels at the moment.  Haven't had a problem.

 

[elfro89]

I had problem with mine on my parker fly, but it was a doofus moment on my part like.  :doh:

 

[bagman67]

I've only had one pair of Sperzels - and they locked just fine.  Trouble came in UN-locking them - they suckers wouldn't let go of the high E and B strings when I loosened the knurled knobs.

I've done just fine with non-locking tuners, but then I'm not a twang-bar enthusiast.

peace

Bagman

 

[Alfang]

I don't think JamesL is doing anything wrong , using plyers to tighten and they still slip? thats crazy.  I use PW lockers and they work great with about 1/2 to 3/4 wrap. The sperzels should work the same with just finger tightening.

So anyone using them with success should consider yourselves lucky. or maybe they had a bad batch, a big enough batch to span 3 tries from JamesL

 

[Cagey]

I wonder if we're talking about real Sperzels here. There are some look-alikes out there such as these parts from Guitar Fetish...

They're supposedly Gotoh parts, but they look like Sperzels and purportedly do the same job. They're very attractive because they're $30 vs. the $75+ most places want for genuine Sperzels, even though they look exactly the same. It's hard to ignore a savings like that, no matter how nationalistic you are.

But, there are differences. One of them is that these don't use a loose locking pin like the Sperzels do. They advertise this as a desirable feature, citing the inability to lose the pin (does this happen to anybody in real life? It's ok - you can admit that you're stupid enough to unscrew your lockers so far the back falls off - we'll still love you). But, it means they're turning out the locking knob/pin as a single part, which says they're being turned out on a screw machine. If that's the case (and I'm fairly sure it is) then the parts haven't been hardened. If they aren't hardened, then the thing is only going to work a few times before the face of the locking pin is all deformed and the likelihood of it developing any real tension and grip on the string goes way down.

Then, pliers? Gimme a break! Even if they are real Sperzels, that's like trading a mousetrap for a land mine. Dead is dead - you can stop once you reach that point. Any more force is wasted. All it takes is manual finger torque to get those things tight enough to do their job. That's what they're designed for. Anything more than that and you're way outside the envelope and all bets are off. The thing is probably ruined the first time you reef on it like that.

Edit: I don't mean to disparage the Gotoh parts - I had a set of those some time back on another guitar and they worked just fine. The reason I don't use them any more is I'm not confident that the locking post to tightening knob joint can withstand repeated use even if it's machined from a single blank. It's a mechanically inferior design, albeit much less costly to manufacture. I have to admit I never experienced a failure, but I also didn't subject the things to extended use. That guitar is long gone.

 

[Volitions Advocate]

I've never used locking tuners.  I also have no opinion on the PW stuff, or sperzel, or gotoh, or schaller.

I always use Grover.  Non locking rotomatics. 18:1 ratio.  I could leave my guitar in its case for months without playing it (and I have) and pick it up and its in tune.

 

[Alfang]

I've used lots of Gotoh stuff and I always thought it was good stuff, never any complaints.

I don't think the type of tuners you have makes any diference in how well your guitar stays in tune in it's case for months at a time

 

[elgravos]

I've got 4 Sperzel equipped guitars and never had a problem.  They are great.

With that said, I really like the PWs.  I have one set and they just "feel" better.  I think they have a higher ratio also.  If I had the choice, I would go with PWs however as I need staggered tuners, I am stuck with Sperzels...  though I don't see that as being a bad thing.  Second best they may be, but that still puts them miles ahead of the rest of the competition.

 

[Nando Vallart]

I know a lot of luthiers that use Sperzels for guitars that will be abused and all they says it works great... I'm really surprised with people having problem with them

 

[Jusatele]

Sperzels are a great tuner,hands down.

now anyone can have problems, sheesh I have a can opener I can never get to work and no one else has problems with it

 

[JamesL]

Yes, they are brand name genuine Sperzels. I got all three sets from guitarpartsresource.com within a 3 month period.

And I'm obviously not the only to have problems with them, so don't blame me!!  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Cletus]

I've never used locking tuners.  I also have no opinion on the PW stuff, or sperzel, or gotoh, or schaller.

I always use Grover.  Non locking rotomatics. 18:1 ratio.  I could leave my guitar in its case for months without playing it (and I have) and pick it up and its in tune.

Exactly. Got two sets myself, same experience as you. Pair of tin snips cost you two bucks to cut the long bits down.

 

[chrisg]

Yes, they are brand name genuine Sperzels. I got all three sets from guitarpartsresource.com within a 3 month period.

And I'm obviously not the only to have problems with them, so don't blame me!!  :icon_biggrin:

Unscrew the locking nut and have a look at the end of the pin - if they are deformed then there was obviously a production problem with the sets you bought and I would go back to the manufaucturer and ask to have them replaced.  If there is no pin then you have probaly been ripped off with a set of Gotohs, then go back to guitarpartsresoure.  In fact go back to them anyway - they should stand by their products.