Question Looking to Change Sterling Axis Tuners WITHOUT DRILLING

[cockinos]

Hello guys,

I own a Sterling Axis Flame Maple

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AX3FMNB--sterling-by-music-man-axis-flame-maple-electric-guitar-neptune-blue

Unfortunately during a rehearsal I tried opening a window with my guitar strapped on.
The window did not stay in place, it fell down and guillotined my fucking tuning peg off the G string:



Of course I came up with a fix, but it is not sustainable because I change tuning a lot.

So I have decided that now is a good time to also switch to locking tuners.

Issue is I am very broke and cannot afford to take this to a guitar store and pay $100 for them to drill new tuners into it.

Which tuner do I buy?

Parts

sterlingbymusicman.com

I looked at this website but I only found the non-locking tuners.

Maybe it is not possible to put locking tuners on this guitar without drilling.

For the G-string, if I want to just replace the tuner would I get the treble side or the bass side?

Please help me out.

 

[fbecir]

Hello

Sperzel is the solution. I recently changed the tuners of my SUB (Something new with something old ...).
You cannot find in shops tuners in the 4+2 configuration.
But it's easy to "invert" the Sperzel tuners :

Hope that helps !

 

[skelt101]

Philadelphia Luthier Tools offers several Gotoh sets in a 4+2 configuration. The SG300-series isn’t too expensive, and they offer free shipping. Check them out here:
Guitar Tuning Machines

 

[DrKev]

You first need to take off a tuner and measure the size of the hole in the headstock and choose your tuners based on that. Second, note the position and distance of the fixing screw from the centre of the headstock hole. All tuner manufacturers have a dimensions diagram that lists what you need to know. Not all sellers have this on their website so you may have to do some digging on the manufacturer's website. You should be able to find something that fits and has the same screw layout.

Sterling by Music Man may use different drill different sizes compared to Music Man ( that's certainly the case on some basses) so fbecir's suggestion above may or may not work for you.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Tone ninja locking tuners. I am pretty sure its the same company that makes the locking tuners for Sterling but am not positive on that. I used them on my Sterling Axis when I wanted to not spend a lot of money and also not have to mod anything. They work fine, drop right in, and are pretty cheap. Recommended

 

[Old Picker]

I have the same question without having a broken one - yet. The black tuners on my white Sterling Axis don't work real well and should be replaced. Thanks for the info on the Sperzel and Tone ninja locking tuners. Any preference for either?

 

[fbecir]

@Old Picker : the Sperzel tuners work perfectly. I have some on a guitar I made 20 years ago and they never let me down !
I do not know the Tone Ninja thus I cannot compare.

 

[Old Picker]

@Old Picker : the Sperzel tuners work perfectly. I have some on a guitar I made 20 years ago and they never let me down !
I do not know the Tone Ninja thus I cannot compare.

OK. Thanks!

 

[mStrat]

The graphtech ratio locking tuners will fit straight in. I have them in my silhouette and they are brilliant.
Just make sure you get the correct mounting plate for the back so they fit without any drilling.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Gotoh tuners work really well and are reasonably priced. I have them on a couple of non EBMM guitars.