What Exactly DO Locking Tuners Do?

[JaySwear]

i've always wondered this, so i figure it's about time to ask somebody more knowledgeable than myself. i've seen tons of people complain about tuning stability, and have people recommend they install locking tuners. my 3rd guitar i owned had locking tuners, and my warmoth strat has locking tuners as well, and neither guitar seemed to benefit from them. i had always assumed the locking mechanism was really just a convenience in changing strings, but more and more i see people recommend them for tuning stability problems.

so is there more to the "locking" than just locking strings in place? i don't think there is, but these tuning stability claims have to be coming from somewhere. the locking tuners i've tried don't even seem to have a better gear ratio to help tuning accuracy. so what do you think?

 

[Superbeast520]

Hey Jay, yeah I hear ya, I think they should come with instructions...lol  I think the only way they help with tuning stability is if you put a winding or two around the post as my experience is they are just more convinient for string changes.....and The ones I've tried still developed some play in the gears, especially on the heavier strings.....Maybe a guy has to use 9's and bend gently, I use heavy strings and I've got club fingers....so once I get hold of them strings its a strangle hold...lol.

Thats why Im going with the Steinbergers, not only do they apparently hold tight and stay tight (as all I've heard has been positives) they also keep the strings low to the headstock thus placing more tension at the break over point on the nut....I guess time will tell me the whole story.  

The quest goes on for the perfect tuners.... :laughing7:

 

[mayfly]

With me, it's all about convenience.  Just put in the string, pull it tight, tighten the knob, and tune to pitch.  I use PW lockers, which also cut the string.

A quick stretch, and I'm ready to rock.  Simple convenience.

 

[-CB-]

Knowing how most guitar players string up their axes like a bunch drunken sailors trying to tie a half hitch knot.... the original use for locking tuners was for tremolo equipped guitars, to take the slippage from the string, and by providing a sure-lock and very little post wrap.

Thing is... if you string it up correctly, you can get by with very little post wrap (a source for uneven stretching and tension)... so they're sort of a lazy fix to a problem that already avoidable.  Go figure.

When the Floyd Rose nut came along, locking tuners pretty much took a back seat for the trem fix thing.... now they're a fix for the "stay in tune" problem, which is also completely cured by stringing up correctly.  Sigh.

Here's the thing - a pet peeve of mine for sure.   String up correctly, minimal wrap.  You'll avoid all sorts of problems.  A lot of players think - my new guitar wont stay in tune, so I need better than those cheap factory tuners.  Hence the aftermarket tuner niche.  Its seldom said, but its true, that tuners cannot slip.  Cheapest ones in the world... wont slip.  They may be terribly horrible to tune with, rough and uneven and gritty... but they wont slip.   The interaction of the ring gear and worm gear is such that it makes slippage a non issue.   Better tuners ARE a JOY to tune with though.  I love 'em for that.

 

[Finch]

Knowing how most guitar players string up their axes like a bunch drunken sailors trying to tie a half hitch knot....

half hitches are a cinch for a drunken sailor

 

[tfarny]

The gotoh sg38 regular ones that Warmoth sells do work great, they hold tune as well as anything I've tried. But the convenience of locking is nice.

 

[jay4321]

I use Planet Waves for anything I can. The only thing is that they look a little off on maple headstocks so for those I use Schallers. Just as good but don't cut the string like the PW.

Highly recommended for anyone who doesn't require a vintage look... and they're fairly inexpensive.

 

[jay4321]

I can't speak to tuning issues as I don't really have them with my gear. Most guitars are hardtails.

 

[Alfang]

Finch, I wanna thank you for your service.  :hello2:

Locking tuners are great, I agree with everyone here

 

[JaySwear]

thanks for the replies everybody! definitely love my locking tuners, but i had always felt that the "locking tuners provides better tuning stability" thing was a myth. thank you CB for straightening me out on that one! decided to go with non-locking tuners on this build i have on the way, hopefully i won't regret that decision. decided my headstock would be a little lighter without the extra locking mechanism on it.

 

[Finch]

Finch, I wanna thank you for your service.  :hello2:

Locking tuners are great, I agree with everyone here

not sure if thats seriousness or sarcasm, but glad i can be of some service i guess!

 

[-CB-]

go on over to www.frets.com and have a look at the close ups of Frank Ford stringing up a Martin.  He's got about 1/2 wrap on each string, locks tight, no slips.  Its a good tutorial for anyone wanting to string 'er up the right way.

Some folks think - a lot of wraps... that'll hold better.  Nada
More wraps introduce stretching on the post, and the strings stretch against friction.  That means they can stretch one way, and rebound the other way as you apply a little more or less pressure to the neck, or bending strings, or just playing.  Minimal wrap is the ticket.

 

[jay4321]

Minimal wrap is the ticket.

I'm down to zero wrap

 

[GoDrex]

I don't think those pictures are big enough. :laughing7:

 

[jay4321]

Yeah I forgot they were at 480 resolution. Better now.

 

[rockskate4x]

most tuning problems are at the nut, so it almost doesn't matter what tuners you have if the nut isn't slotted correctly. Be sure to check the nut before getting aftermarket tuners.

 

[Alfang]

Finch, I was serious

You said a drunken sailor could tie a halfhitch easily, I thought you were speaking from experience, So I was thanking you for your military service.

If not, then you must have a drunken sailor buddy, who you like to watch tie knots or something. Either way, My graditude stands  ccasion14: