Sperzel tuners discussion

I use them on most of my guitars, just for the convenience they make in string changes. I never noticed any change in tone. I do wish they had a tighter gear ratio, they feel a little loose to me when compared to say Grover Rotomatics.

 

Don't know about stealing the tone but I dislike them. The gear ratio is too high and after a period of time you have to screw them down so hard that it becomes frustrating.

So far, I'm really digging the 18:1 locking grovers I just installed on a Gibson style guitar. Much easier to use, no slippage and I haven't noticed any loss of tone.

 

I remember an older repairman/player that I knew.He used to tell me he could hear the difference between vitange Fender tuners and any other tuners.I still really don't buy into it.I really like Sperzel's,but I do have to agree that the new Grovers are better,even though I think the Sperzels stay in tune slightly better.

 

"The gear ratio is too high"

Actually the ratio is too low, 12:1. Other locking tuners are 16:1 or better (LSR 40:1). The wheel crank on the back is uncomfortable on the fingers too. I don't like them/.=

 

They're based out of Cleveland. I called them once and tried to convince them to offer a 16:1 or 18:1 tuner but they didn't seem to be interested. Even 14:1 which is more standard is too coarse to me. I'm hooked on the 18:1 tuners. I guess Gotoh's making a 21:1 tuner now. I'd be interested in that...

 

I wouldn't call it stealing tone as much as just changing it. Whether it's a change for the better or worse is up to personal taste, but there is a difference. Just like there is a difference in tone between Grovers and Klusons on a Les Paul, for example.

 

Even though I use Sperzels, I wish they would improve the tuners. I don't like the ratio, the weight, and the gear slop.

I wish someone would make a REALLY high quality locking tuner. I've tried them all except for the new Steinberger tuners.

 

Have you tried the new Grovers? They are the best I've tried so far though they do feel a little flimsy

 

Are you talking about the ones you lock from the top with a coin? If so then yes I've tried those.

 

No, you don't lock them with a coin. That slot is to turn/loosen the cam so the holes in the shaft line up with the opening in the cam mechanism. As you turn the tuner, the cam turns first. Once it catches against the string the tuner shaft starts turning and the cam self-tightens against the string. It works quite well.

 

I used to use Sperzels a lot on those Hamer Daytona strats. I thought they worked great. I still have one from '95 or so. The tuners still work like new. I don't have a problem with the gear ratio. It tunes up fine. My preference these days is regular old vintage style Kluson types.

I guess you'd need to compare them on the same neck with other tuners to hear tonal changes. When guys change out the Klusons for Grovers they always say there is a big tone change. more sustain and thud, and less woody resonance. The Govers like the Sperzels are a lot heavier and more mass so...

 

I also have them on a Daytona strat and you have to torque them down to a ridiculous degree to get them to stay put while you're tuning up.

Yes, you can make do with 12:1 tuners but you can also make do with a Squier Strat. The point is that there are better solutions out there. I play a lot of chords voiced with half steps in them. For that kind of work, I like the extra tuning precision you get from 18:1 tuners. Once you try a set of great tuners such as the Gotoh 18:1 tuners, it's hard to go back to somelike like the Spezels.

 

I've got the lockiing Sperzels on my latest acquisition, my Baker B-1...

I used to have them on an 80s Fender Espirit Elite...

I likes 'em just fine.

 

I've been thru the same discussion with Nik Huber re. my Melancon IRW neck Classic... The low E sounds a little too soft and Nik's idea was to try to experiment with different tuners because the reasoning is that the total mass of the tuners DOES affect the way the headstock vibrates and affects the overall neck resonance.
It does make sense if you think of it.

I won't get into the specifics of Sperzels - some will hate 'em, some will love 'em.
One thing is sure - if whoever built your guitar *factored in* the mass of the Sperzels, then changing them may very well affect the tone.
For better or for worse....

JJ

 

They work wondeful,but do change the tone.I wouldn't say they steal tone.In my experience you want less metal mass at the headstock and more at the bridge.Meaning lightweight vintage style tunes and steel bridges.This has been a key to the tone I've been looking for.

 

Regarding the ratio: I'll have to dig up the thread on the Thorn Forum but a couple years ago I did a little simple math and determined the 12:1 ratio with a smaller diameter string post was near identical to a 16:1 ratio Schaller with a larger diameter string post.
In other words, the same amount of linear string is wrapped once around the circumference for both tuners. If you turn either knob, say, a quarter turn then the string will stretch the same amount.



ron

 

Here 'tis, Ron

 

A number of people have mentioned a tone change coming from a machinehead change, but nobody seems to have mentioned what sort of change it could be. Anyone care to take a shot?

 

"I did a little simple math and determined the 12:1 ratio with a smaller diameter string post was near identical to a 16:1 ratio Schaller."


That's if you want Schaller's. Schallers aren't the only other locking tuner out there. I'd go with Planet Waves (18:1) or if it was a "Super Guitar" Project, LSR's (40:1)