Schaller mini locking tuners

[spauldingrules]

Are the schaller mini locking tuners warmoth sells "auto locking" or do they have a thumbscrew?  I've never had or used locking tuners, and I am considering them for my next build, and the reviews I've read online say automatic ones are good and screw ones are bad.

Opinions?  I have the SG38 on other guitars and they are fine.  Oh, this one will have the Gotoh WIlk trem which I use extensively, but not for dive bomb type stuff.

Thanks!

TS

 

[DocNrock]

I have them on a couple of builds.  They are thumb screw.  I don't know what "auto locking" is.

 

[GoDrex]

Auto locking ones are like these Grovers - I have these on my Parker and they work just fine.

http://www.grotro.com/LockingRotoInstructions.htm

 

[DocNrock]

Auto locking ones are like these Grovers - I have these on my Parker and they work just fine.

http://www.grotro.com/LockingRotoInstructions.htm

Ahhh, never saw those before.

 

[spauldingrules]

So are the thumbscrew ones any good?  Worth it over the SG38?

 

[GoDrex]

the reviews I've read online say automatic ones are good and screw ones are bad.

I must admit I like the auto ones a bit better because I've noticed on the PW and the Schaller/Fender ones I have, if you don't tighten the hell out of the thumbscrew on the higher strings they can slip. This can waste a string with the PWs (and the Schallers if you cut the ends off) if the string pops out. It's also a bit easier to just thread the grovers up and just start turning. But that said I think they're all ok, but my next guitar will have my old "Made In W. Germany" Schallers.

 

[tfarny]

Auto ones are actually a bit of a pain - you have to fiddle with a screw on the top of the tuner, you can turn it with a penny but it's not as easy as they say. Still, I just had my second string pop out on PW tuners, and you can't get that sucker back in there - waste of a new string. I will probably go auto on my next build, or back to the sg38 which are good.
Check these styles out:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Gotoh_Mini_510_Locking_Tuners.html - good but expensive
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Gotoh_Locking_Vintage_Oval_Knob_Tuners.html same engineering, new and intriguing.

 

[DocNrock]

Really Gary, I've never had any of them slip.  :icon_scratch:

 

[GoDrex]

Auto ones are actually a bit of a pain - you have to fiddle with a screw on the top of the tuner, you can turn it with a penny but it's not as easy as they say.

I just turn them with my fingers. The Grovers don't have a screw to turn. They are as simple as can be and work fine. The top piece turns pretty easily with just my fingers.

Doc, like I said you have to make sure the thumbscrew is really tight or it can happen.

 

[DocNrock]

Auto ones are actually a bit of a pain - you have to fiddle with a screw on the top of the tuner, you can turn it with a penny but it's not as easy as they say.

I just turn them with my fingers. The Grovers don't have a screw to turn. They are as simple as can be and work fine. The top piece turns pretty easily with just my fingers.

Doc, like I said you have to make sure the thumbscrew is really tight or it can happen.

I guess I tighten them enough.  :glasses10:

 

[simple]

I've used about 5 sets of them. No slippage. Never had a problem with them.

 

[dbw]

I like them.  Tighten the thumbscrew good.  I've had them pop out before... only when I was changing the strings, never while actually at tension.

 

[stratplayer1]

Got those schallers on my strat, never had a problem. very smooth tuning, high ratio. good stuff.