Locking Tuners

[duritzfan13]

Hey guys,

I know this is a terrible question... but I've owned no guitars with locking tuners before owning my Silo Special. What exactly are they for? And how do you use them?

Thanks and sorry for the noob question

 

[John C]

Hey guys,

I know this is a terrible question... but I've owned no guitars with locking tuners before owning my Silo Special. What exactly are they for? And how do you use them?

Thanks and sorry for the noob question

Locking tuners serve two purposes - they help the guitar stay in tune better when using the trem because they eliminate the wraps of strings around the post (where the string could possibly slip) and they make it much easier to change the strings.

How they work - the large wheel on the back of the tuner moves a pin on the inside of the tuner post - when you loosen the wheel, it lowers the pin and the string comes out. It makes it very simple to change the strings - loosen the knob, remove the old string, put the new string on by pulling it tight through the hole in the tuner, then turn the wheel to lock the string in place. Stretch the string and tune.

Hope that helps.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I believe i read somewhere, that EBMM had designed many of their instruments with the locking tuners in mind. Just a little tidbit about guitar stability and intonation:

The way for the guitar to have the best stable tuning possible, the string from the tuner, to the nut, to the saddles needs to be as straight as possible. Many people have their strings wrap around the pole a particular number of times, so as the string winds from the tuner to the nut slot as straight as possible.

The locking tuner is particularly awesome, because it takes the guesswork out of that process and allows the string to fall straight from the hole in the tuner straight to the nut. It's not as noticeable as on hardtails, but with a trem'd guitar it makes a big difference with tuning stability.

Every detail counts!

And as John C said, man it makes changing strings so much easier.

 

[DrKev]

Locking tuners literally "lock" the string inside the tuning post, rather than relying on wrapping the string multiple times around the post to keep it in place. The big knurled thumb wheel on the back of each tuner is connected to a pin inside the tuning post itself that clamps the string in place. The advantage is that there is no slipping of the windings on the tuning post so tuning stability is improved over 'normal' tuners.

You tune using the standard buttons. Very simple! But when changing strings, first detune the string to remove the tension, then loosen the thumb wheel to remove the string from the tuning post. Insert the new string into post, pull it all the way through and then tighten the thumb wheel to lock the string in place. Tune up as normal.

EDIT - The phone rings as I start to type and John & Scooby jump right in there! Good advice from them both and BTW, Welcome to the forum!

 

[straycat113]

I know exactly where you are coming from Kev lol. Since I type with one finger it happens to me a lot where there are two post above me when I am done.

duritz I would prefer locking tuners on every guitar I own, then again the majority of mine have them. You will find them a breeze and will definitely get spoiled, especially when it comes to a string change between guitars that have locking and those with wrapping tuners.

 

[paranoid70]

Ever break a string on stage? If yes, you will be really glad if you have a locking tuner on your guitar. You can slap a new one on in no time!