Replacement tuners for Les Paul (without drilling)?

[TheIgnoramus]

I tried a search for this and couldn't find the answer, so :soapbox: if it's already been discussed.

 

I'm mulling over replacing the tuners on one of my Les Pauls. I don't want to do any drilling, but would prefer locking tuners. Is there any direct replacement you-no-gotta-drill parts you can recommend?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Schaller-Locking-CHROME-TUNERS-3x3-16-1-Les-Paul-/200451817211?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2eabdbfefb got me wondering.

 

Is there any option here? http://guitar-machine-heads.com/hp12610/Guitars.htm?ITServ=CY22ea2690X129cd557f84XY2d71

 

Thankee.

[lp_junkie]

what tuners do you have on it now?

 

If you have the Kluson style with the push in bushings, then you are SOL, without drilling there is nothing to replace them with but the same style.

 

If you have the Kluson style with the hex screw in bushings, then there are more option but you will have to drill new screw holes in the back of the headstock as all the makers screw hole locations are different.

[vintage clubber]

 

what tuners do you have on it now? If you have the Kluson style with the push in bushings, then you are SOL, without drilling there is nothing to replace them with but the same style. If you have the Kluson style with the hex screw in bushings, then there are more option but you will have to drill new screw holes in the back of the headstock as all the makers screw hole locations are different.

 

 

where can I get a toggle ring like in your avatar?? that's awesome!

[TheIgnoramus]

 

what tuners do you have on it now? If you have the Kluson style with the push in bushings, then you are SOL, without drilling there is nothing to replace them with but the same style. If you have the Kluson style with the hex screw in bushings, then there are more option but you will have to drill new screw holes in the back of the headstock as all the makers screw hole locations are different.

 

 

Arrgh, I guess I'm SOL. They are the Kluson style. It's for a '91 Standard. Thanks for the reply.

[onelife]

Just get it done by a pro - it's a standard mod for a Les Paul and no big deal if it is done properly.

[WRGKMC]

I've seen Kluson style locking tuners before. I'll see if I can find them again. If you want to maintain the valuse of the instrument, I would not stick something else on there. Strings properly installed and stretched, "Do not slip on tuners" you may knock the tuning peg and detune it, you may not have the nut properly lubricated and the string fails to come back tu tuning after bending, and you may have slippage at the ball end.

 

To fix these, dip your ball end in crasy glue and let it dry before installing the strings. Wipe off any excess. that will turn the strings into super bullets and stop the ball end from unwinding and causing tuning problems. Nect get graphite grease and put some in the nut slots and bridge saddel grooves with a tooth pick every string change. Lastly, installing strings, put the string through, then wrap the end that went through, around clockwise on the low strings, Counter clockwise on the high strings, wrap it under the string feeding into the tuner, bend it over and back 180 degrees. Then as you tighten the string, it pulls and locks the string so it cant slip at all acting like a locking tuner.

 

they used to show that method on the back of some guitar string packs. I cant remember the brand though.

 

lastly, what I do when I wind the first 1/2 wrap is above the first wind, then I go up and over where the string feeds into the tuner so the rest of the wraps are below the first. This is a second method of locking a string and I combine the two to prevent all slippage possibilities. The you simply pull out on the string at the 12th fret and retune till the string no longer stretches.

 

You want about 2" play/wind on the strings to do this properly. I usually take the string length for say the low E string, pull it tight, and measure to the A tuner shaft and pincg the string length off at that point, then feed the string into the E tuner up to where I have the string pinched, then bend and wrap the string to lock it for tuning. The next A string on a Paul, I'll measure 1 and a half tuner spacing in length. The strings are thinner as you go up so to maintain the same breakaway angle on all, you need to increase the number of winds as strings get thinner so the winds bring down the angel as you get up to the thin ones. So you may have 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5" etc as you get up to the higher strings. You can actually use a small ruler and measure the distance the strings wind up off the headstock. If they're close to being even, you'll find most of your tuning issues dissapear. Less neck problems too because yopu'll have even tension on the truss rod.

 

Locking strings wont fix crap strings though. If they arent properly tempered when made, they're going to stretch out all wierd. A good brand of strings will stop stretching as they age. Crap strings exhibit worse and worse tuning issues as they get older. Partly because they wear of bend at frets too much, but the alloy is just no good.

[GibsonQC]

I'll play devil's advocate and ask why you want locking tuners... If your guitar is going out of tune often, it's most likely not the tuners--it's probably an issue with the nut. Otherwise, it could be your choice of string and the ball end binding up or the string catching in the bridge saddles.

 

But, 9 times out of 10, tuning issues on Les Pauls originate at the nut...

[milosch]

ping!