Members davesowden Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 i am thinking of installing some gotoh locking tuners on a guitar-does anyone have any experience of them (good or bad)-are they worth the extra cash? thanx dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I put them on my stray copy. Good tuners. I like the locking feature. Just makes it easier to change strings. Overall, one of the best dollar values out there. They also stay tuned when you do the whammy thing. I've since blocked my trem, but I'll probably put another set on my current hardtail build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WRGKMC Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 If you know how to properly install strings they are unnessasary. Most people stick the string through the hole and start wrapping. Its a sure bet they will be constantly tuning that way. I use a combination of methods. First dip the ball end with crazy glue and let it dry. 99% of your tuning issues come from the ball end unless you use super bullets. next, in the case of a strat, put the string through the hole, wind the end that comes out 180 degrees clockwise around the post, pull it under the string going into the post, and bend it over the string going into the post in a counter clockwise direction. as you tighten the string this locks the string tight. Next I do a half wind over the first wrap and the rest under. I usuallu start with an inch or the distance of 2 tuners for the low E strings and gradually use a littel more for each string so I have a neat and even wrap coming down on each post. Tune to pitch, streach each string at the 12th fret till they dont streach any more and the guitar will stay in tune for the life of the strings which is about 2 weeks max for me with the hard playing I do. Wiuld be a few days if I didnt have so many guitars to choose from. I use this method and have no issues keeping in tune even with all the dive bombing you can possibly do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members XylemBassGuitar Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I really like the locking Gotohs, they'll keep a guitar in tune for a long time, even with a trem. They're definitely worth the extra cash... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 WRG is 100% correct when it comes to tuners & string installation. I'm just too lazy to go thru this as are alot of people who go with locking tuners. Planetwaves Autotrim are the ultimate in lazy person tuners. But I can't justify the xtra cost. Gotohs cost me about $7 less and are just as good IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WRGKMC Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 I have non locking Gotohs on an old strat that are at least 20 years old now. If anything they do make good durable tuners that tune easily and stay in tune as well. For smoothness and high gear ratio for the price I like the mighty mite. I have Wilkerson which I'm not too thrilled with, Shaller, Gibson, Grover, Kluson, Fender, plus a dozen no name stuff. How much schlock they get when they get older is a major factor for me. The worst for this are, Grover, Gibson followed by Shaller Kluson. Wilkersons have schlock new on the ones I got. The Mighty mite have the smoothest and most accurate string tuning. Since Fenders are made by others they vary a bit. Theyre vintage tuners are kluson and some newer ones shaller just like some gibsons are Kluson. The ones made by gibson in germany are the absolute worst, they actually fall appart on my Les Paul. Klusons Get schlock but they do last a long time and still tune a guitar even on 30/40/50 year old guitars so there is something to durability there. Shaller vary alot, I've had some that were very decent new but wore out fast. I have some fender shallers that are still going strong. Grovers, To me they're big and chunkey and full of schlock new. They dont spin smoothly and I'd buy something else over them any day. Maybe if they have something with a higher gear ratio they might be better, but I wasnt impressed so I put them on the worst guitar I own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted March 20, 2009 Members Share Posted March 20, 2009 Never heard it called schlock before. But that's what it is & it iritates me as well. Wish I knew who made the tuners on my 31 yr old Washburn acoustic. Still perfect & the frets are wearing thin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tedmich Posted March 21, 2009 Members Share Posted March 21, 2009 A similar argument was made for bike shifters: "grind em till you find em" friction vs indexed "click" shifters.... "if you know how to do it (steps 1-12) you don't need this new stuff..." Eddie had a similar involved post wrap regime until he got the locking nut; if you are comfortable doing it...Go for it! PS I love my Sperzels... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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