Changing Tuners

[25%moreCOWBELL]

How much of an ass pain is it to change out tuners? I've currently got a set of 3+3 Grover Rotomatic Tuners 18:1 on my guitar. If I wanted to swap these out for some locking tuners is that going to be something I want a shop to do for me or can I just pop in a set of Locking Grover tuners without doing to much surgery on the headstock. I don't mind a little woodwork but I don't want to be some cockmonkey and F^%$ up my guitar.

[indeedido]

It is plug and play, provided the holes in your headstock are the same size. If they are, just pull the old ones out and put the new ones in. If your new tuners require a larger hole, you will need to ream it out with a drill bit to make them fit.

[25%moreCOWBELL]

Anyone got any suggestions on "the" brand of locking tuners to use or are they all just about the same damn thing in the end.

[sagebrush]

Originally posted by 25%moreCOWBELL
Anyone got any suggestions on "the" brand of locking tuners to use or are they all just about the same damn thing in the end.

Grover had some good lockers . You should be able to get close to the same modal keys you have so no cutting or slashing on your head stock .

[DeadOrAlive]

I never change the tuners unless they're the perfect fit. I remember the low E tuner crapped out on my acoustic. Had to replace the whole damn set, but the new ones were a perfect fit and keep in tune pretty well for the price.

[sagebrush]

Grovers 40$ 6 in a line or 3 on 3 locking

[Nitro Express]

My two cents on locking tuners is they are only an advantage if they are used with a guitar with a straight sting pull (like a Stratocaster) and are not really an advantage on a guitar where the strings change angle at the nut (like a Les Paul). On a Les Paul type nut the strings tend to get hung up at the nut so changing tuners won't make a difference.

[GAR]

The Sperzels' Deluxe locking ones rule.

The tool you need is called a tapered reamer with t-handle, they come in like onequarter to half inch size tapered. You twist it a few turns then back it out to fit the tuner till it is just about snug.

[Nitro Express]

Originally posted by GAR
The Sperzels' Deluxe locking ones rule.

The tool you need is called a tapered reamer with t-handle, they come in like onequarter to half inch size tapered. You twist it a few turns then back it out to fit the tuner till it is just about snug.

Yeah I ordered one of those from Stewart McDonald. Man, those reamers are expensive! They ream you with the price! Beats trying to do the drill bit trick.

[GAR]

Don't they sell them at Home Depot where they sell drill bits?

[sagebrush]

Originally posted by GAR
Don't they sell them at Home Depot where they sell drill bits?

Yea they do and there only like 3$ .

[dvogel1570]

I did it on one of my guitars. The machine head screw holes never line up between manufacturers, so you will probably get 1 or 2 extra holes per. Plus you're spending $160+ for the heads.

An easy option is to tie a knot (similar to the first part of tying your shoe) before winding up the excess. As long as your winding is tight, you're good to go.

Changing out the machine heads also hurts the value of the guitar. If you have a cheap guitar... you're better off tying the strings, or getting a new guitar.

[ELVIS]

Tying the strings ??

[Nitro Express]

Home Depot? Naw, you need a specific guitar tuner hole reamer!

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Tuner_installation/Peghole_Reamers.html

LOL!

You don't need to tie no stinking knots! Just because it's in the book The Ultimate Guitarist doesn't mean it's true. Hey as long as the string is wound around the post enough times and isn't overlapped, it will hold tune.

[indeedido]

Originally posted by dvogel1570
Changing out the machine heads also hurts the value of the guitar. If you have a cheap guitar... you're better off tying the strings, or getting a new guitar.

I do not agree with this. Upgrading parts do not devalue a guitar. If anything it increases the value. Removing stock tuners that are usually junk and replacing with a nice set of Schallers is more inviting to people. Now, it has to be done correctly, nobody wants to buy a Les Paul, with new tuners, and have extra set of holes back there. They should be covered by the old tuners or filled and painted.