Locking tuners?

[bluesdoc]

I've officially had it with Sperzels. I have them on my project tele and one of them broke a new A string in the hole. And, the grip to tighten the string is skinny and painful to get good purchase. I've used others in the past, including Planet Waves and Schallers. They were fine and the Planet Waves cutter is cool, but I'm often taking off strings to futz with some aspect of this project guitar and getting them back on is close to impossible with the PWs. Tell me your favorites or should I man up and go back to old school?

jon

[partsocaster]

I was gonna say the Planet Waves but that seems out....

[Brazen]

Steinbergers.

[candid_x]

Hey Jon

I found that Sperzels require a considerably lighter touch when tightening, or the gripping lug will cut right through the string, especially if restringing the same wound string. Nothing like the tension required by Schallers, which sorta forgives the sharper edged wheel of the Sperzel. Some of the older ones were really sharp! I have a newer set that is a little more blunt.

I still favor them over Schallers for their light weight and being cut from billet aluminum rather than being cast metal.

If it's a 6-screw bridge strat, I prefer the vintage split shaft Gotoh style. Never tried their locking ones though. Heard they work well.

[mslugano]

I don't like the action of Sperzels but prefer them to other locking and, like Candid X says, don't get too manly with them...I've broken many when I loosen them for a truss rod adjustment, for instance, and then retighten.

As far as the vintage looking locking Gotohs go, I replaced some split shaft with these about two years ago. They are staggered and work great but are a pain because they require another tool (screwdriver or coin) to tighten and/or loosen.

Funny this comes up today...I replaced the locking ones with the original split shaft just today after doing some work on the neck. In retrospect, the age old split shaft are the best, IMO, if you use proper restringing technique and don't live and die on dive bombs.

[sahhas]

i've never had any problems, held my strings in perfect for lots of whammying.

i've heard of over-tightening of strings.

don't know the precise science to it....

i know on my planet waves locking tuners i've had some problems w/ it, but that guitar is in pieces now on my bench....

[bluesdoc]

I definitely might have overtightened, for fear of string slipping. Mmmmm

jon

[mr.freeze]

I think Grover makes locking tuners also.

[Pa'ani]

HipShot Locking Tuners.. I change the Sperzels that were on my Tyler Studio Elite and they are just great! Did it also on my Suhr Standard and a Fender American Strat.
I did get the staggered Hipshot Locking tuners for the guitars mentioned above.

[Super Locrian]

I have Hipshot Griplocks on 3 guitars, no hassles whatsoever.

[bluesdoc]

Yes, I think I had an ax with Hipshots and liked those a lot. But maybe if I don't torture my thumb tightening the strings I'll be fine with the Sperzels. I've only been using them for a decade or so, so.......

jon

[spakuloid]

Sperzels on 2 Les Pauls and 2 Strats with no issues for years. Don't over tighten them.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Pa'ani

HipShot Locking Tuners.. I change the Sperzels that were on my Tyler Studio Elite and they are just great! Did it also on my Suhr Standard and a Fender American Strat.
I did get the staggered Hipshot Locking tuners for the guitars mentioned above.

We do have the staggered Hipshots available on new guitars. In fact I believe for Black, Hipshots are the only one available. We are still having trouble getting Gold Sperzels and the Chrome Sperzels are a mix Satin/Chrome. We are using a Sperzel style button for the Hipshots or their standard button your option. They also have a large selection of buttons that can be purchased. They are excellent gears. FYI You can install Hipshots on to a guitar drilled for Sperzel but not the other way around without seeing holes.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by bluesdoc

I've officially had it with Sperzels. I have them on my project tele and one of them broke a new A string in the hole. And, the grip to tighten the string is skinny and painful to get good purchase. I've used others in the past, including Planet Waves and Schallers. They were fine and the Planet Waves cutter is cool, but I'm often taking off strings to futz with some aspect of this project guitar and getting them back on is close to impossible with the PWs. Tell me your favorites or should I man up and go back to old school?

jon

The Sperzel thru hole probably needs to be de-burred, otherwise put on the Hipshots but check out the button shape options carefully. And remember that 1/2 a turn is just fine and will eliminate most breaking issues on either gear. Do not try and get rid of all the wrap.

[Trebor Renkluaf]

Originally Posted by mslugano

As far as the vintage looking locking Gotohs go, I replaced some split shaft with these about two years ago. They are staggered and work great but are a pain because they require another tool (screwdriver or coin) to tighten and/or loosen.
.

???
I've got locking Gotohs on three guitars and they do not require another tool to tighten and/or loosen. When tightening just pull the string through, hold onto it, and start turning the tuner, it will grab the string and lock onto it. When loosening, just do this in reverse, a gentle pull on the string will cause the tuner to let go when you've loosened it enough.