Schaller Original F-Series Rear Locking tuners, 6inline Nickel

[Jackson753]

I was thinking of getting a set of these Schaller Original F-Series Rear Locking tuners, 6inline Nickel or Sperzel tuners. I don't really know what rear locking means? It's for this build.View attachment 1004101

 

[user name]

Umpopular opinion:
Locking tuners are a waste of money.
If you like slightly easier string changes or maybe just the way they look, fine, but they dont do much to improve tuning stability. 99% of your tuning problems will come from the nut or the bridge....but usually the nut. So if the nut is cut properly, the bridge is good, and the strings are installed correctly, there is really no need for them. Likewise, if the strings are binding up in the nut slots, locking tuners arent going to help.
But, if you like them, you should buy them.

 

[john_cribbin]

I endorse the unpopular opinion! I much prefer vintage split shaft tuners.

You lock the string with the knurled knob on the rear of the headstock.

 

[jondom22]

Not all locking tuners are made equal, but I absolutely love those Schaller F series locking tuners. They’re extremely well engineered, and despite naysayers, I’ve found them to also hold tune better and have better tuning precision than standard split shaft and fender non locking tuners on the same guitar. They also add a lil more weight, which I felt increased sustain/resonance, but that could’ve just been in my head.

Heads up tho, you’ll need to drill out those 2 guide holes per tuner like modern fenders have if your headstock hasn’t been drilled like that. I’d pay a pro to do that cos that’s not something that’s easy to do without a proper fender hole guide thing that you can lay over the back of the headstock.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

I've had both. I put Fender locking tuners on my 93 Am STD. Opinion: Both are good, but in different ways. Visually the lockers are in the back of the headstock, out of sight, making the guitar appear normal. Locking tuners do what they are designed to do. Are they better than standard split shaft tuners?

 

[Fenderdad1950]

 

[Cyberi4n]

I put locking tuners on all my guitars. Quick string changes. I’ve not had any tuning stability issues either with standard tuners or with locking tuners. If you want them, buy them, it’s your money to do with as you please.

FWIW the Gotoh Magnums are excellent, I have those on my Les Paul. The Hipshot open-gear ones on my Strat build have also been very very good. My PRS has proprietary PRS Phase2 lockers, and my Telecaster has the fender type.

 

[TunedupFlat]

I have the old Schaller locking tuners (brushed and pre fugly logo) on my 90 Stratocaster plus deluxe. They have always been extremely stable since the day I purchased the guitar new and the only thing that a split post does better is not leave stabby ends.

I would put them into something that has a floppy bridge as on my early 90 strats it seems to make a difference(I float my bridges), but have never found a use for them on my telecasters.

If you have to drill out for the 2 posts on the tuner I would think that some of the other tuners that use single or even 2 screws might be a better idea as those stud holes are rather large holes to drill.

 

[ponycar]

You did not specify your current tuner hole diameter.
I will second that drilling out vintage style tuner holes can be difficult to do without damage, or causing the enlarged hole to be off center. I use only vintage style split shaft tuners. I have lockers on two guitars due to them being oem. Not a fan.

 

[Fretting out]

If you don’t know what they are why do you want them?

If everything is in order, especially on a tele locking tuners aren’t going to make an appreciable difference

Vintage safe-t-tuners for ALL!

 

[willietheweirdo]

Yeet it: https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...itar-building-and-repair/tuner-pin-drill-jig/

Heads up tho, you’ll need to drill out those 2 guide holes per tuner like modern fenders have if your headstock hasn’t been drilled like that. I’d pay a pro to do that cos that’s not something that’s easy to do without a proper fender hole guide thing that you can lay over the back of the headstock.

If you have to drill out for the 2 posts on the tuner I would think that some of the other tuners that use single or even 2 screws might be a better idea as those stud holes are rather large holes to drill.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

I also put lockers on any guitar I plan to keep - even just recently on an inexpensive but wonderful "knockaround" acoustic. Why? They do help with tuning stability. String changes are a BREEZE. And if you're smart enough to look at the back of your existing tuners, you can get ones that line up with the existing screw holes (if any). But as the previous brother mentioned, not all lockers are created equal. Therefore:

I am a big fan of Sperzels and have been using them for years on multiple kinds of guitars. Why? Made in America. Lighter in weight than most (I put them on a neck-heavy Hamer Special and it made a big difference). High quality materials and workmanship. And you don't need to drill any holes.

Hunt around on Amazon and Reverb, and chances are you'll find some 6 inline Sperzels for around $65 or so. That's about the same as the Fender parts, but less than the Gotohs and far less than the Schallers or Ratios (they're always well over $100). In fact, I put 'em on Linda Lou, my thinline partscaster, and they work swell.

Good Luck!

 

[Ronzo]

I prefer locking tuners. I’ve installed them in most of my Fender-type guitars. I did it because of faster string changes and no worries about how the string wraps are done. Since I’ve had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands, my fine motor control isn’t as good as it used to be.

 

[TX_Slinger]

Umpopular opinion:
Locking tuners are a waste of money.
If you like slightly easier string changes or maybe just the way they look, fine, but they dont do much to improve tuning stability. 99% of your tuning problems will come from the nut or the bridge....but usually the nut. So if the nut is cut properly, the bridge is good, and the strings are installed correctly, there is really no need for them. Likewise, if the strings are binding up in the nut slots, locking tuners arent going to help.
But, if you like them, you should buy them.

I'm on the record saying the same thing but once I tried them I was hooked. I have locking Grover Rotos on a half bridge ashtray and a Bigsby. Maybe some confirmation bias but seems like the wound strings are more stable with them. I know how to properly string after 40 years of playing as well.

 

[user name]

I'm on the record saying the same thing but once I tried them I was hooked. I have locking Grover Rotos on a half bridge ashtray and a Bigsby. Maybe some confirmation bias but seems like the wound strings are more stable with them. I know how to properly string after 40 years of playing as well.

Oh, I've owned them a couple of times.
Bought a Strat about 20 years ago and it had the typical tuning issues that go along with them. People promised me that locking tuners would solve all my tuning nightmares. Boy was I disappointed when they made pretty much zero difference. What did make a huge difference was a bone nut and learning to set up my guitar.
Some people just like locking tuners for whatever reason, and that's fine, but I can't say they do much for improving tuning stability. Even cheap guitars nowadays have perfectly adequate tuners. Everyone is so quick to throw money at locking tuners as soon as they buy a new guitar especially one with a tremolo. The odds of you buying a guitar with six bad tuners is pretty slim

 

[Jackson753]

If you don’t know what they are why do you want them?

If everything is in order, especially on a tele locking tuners aren’t going to make an appreciable difference

Vintage safe-t-tuners for ALL!

Good question I was looking for some tuners and liked the look of the Schaller and the Sperzels. I didn't know until today that they also made these in standard. Locking tuners now seem more popular when I was searching these were the tuners that kept coming up. The bit that's now obvious but wasn't at the start was 'rear'. I think I will broaden my search to standard. The split shaft is neat and tidy.

 

[warrent]

Grover makes vintage style locking tuners:

ROTO-GRIP LOCKING VINTAGE (533 SERIES) - Grover Trophy

The Roto-Grip Locking Vintage (533 Series) are engineered to the most precise standards of excellence, with the classic vintage styling. Grover’s Vintage 533 locking series come with a “thumb screw” mechanism, which locks the string securely into place. With 15:1 gear ratio.

grotro.com

 

[Alex_C]

Locking tuners are my preference because fast and easy string changes are a win.

 

[eallen]

I have installing Schaller rear lockers as standard on all my builds for the past decade. Realize the current fender lockers have not been made by Schaller for some years which is why they are so much cheaper than actual Schaller. Ping made them for fender for years but not sure if they still do. They were ok but not the same quality especially of the new Schaller design.

Do you need lockers? No. But quality ones have solid stability and cut string change time to nothing.

 

[radtz]

IMHO.... Locking tuners earn their keep with a tremolo. If the bridge is meant to move I use locking tuners. Otherwise, I am indifferent.