Locking/Clipping Tuners

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tuners — Raising the strings to pitch automatically clips the strings.

While auditioning parts as part of the ongoing Mongrel Strat Project, I tried out my first set of Planet Waves Auto-Trim Locking Guitar Machines. I’m really digging them! They lock to pitch via a little button on the back, much like Sperzel locking tuners. But when you raise the strings to pitch, they automatically get snipped by the tuners. Smooth!

They’re nicely made, with an 18:1 ratio and a substantial feel. (I got the six-in-line set, though they also have a three-on-a-side model.)

I’m especially digging the fact that, once you’ve snipped a string, it’s easy to loosen and remove the strings for changing pickups, pickguards, and so forth. There’s no curled or barbed end on the strings, so they slide right back into the tuner when your work is done. The only catch: The snipping process can be a bit tough with heavier strings. I installed am .011-.052 set, and it took a bit of work to slice through that fat E string. Not a problem in the end, but it could be an issue with higher gauges.

Now back to messing up some mongrel strats! In the meantime, what are some of your favorite tuners these days?

Comments

9 responses to “Locking/Clipping Tuners”

March 2, 2012

AiXeLsyD13

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly are locking tuners? I mean, like the name implies they lock a string in place? Does the string not wrap around the peg? Does this help the guitar stay in tune? What about string stretching? Do they counteract trem-bars? Ha ha. I have no experience with locking tuners.

On the other hand, I have plans to get all black hardware for a New York Pro Strat clone that I just recently picked up.
Would it be worth my time to pop out a few extra bucks & get locking tuners? I have been drooling over the stuff at Guitar Fetish.

I just noticed, I went to add a happy/laughing emoticon, and you have none, so I’ll leave you with the most pleasant…
:beer:

🙂

Reply
1. March 2, 2012
  
  joe
  
  Oh, a locking tuner just means that the post includes some sort of clamp to grip the string, so there’s no bending or wrapping — just pull it straight through, lock, and snip. This design is probably most associated with Sperzel.
  
  The new wrinkle (for me, anyway) is that after you lock the strings on these Planet Waves pegs and start raising the string to pitch, the increasing tension actually snips the strings for you — you don’t need a wire clipper at all.
  
  Are locking tuners cool in general? Just a matter of taste. I usually put them on guitars that need new tuners, but don’t go out of my way to replace otherwise decent non-locking tuners. Though as mentioned, I like the locking ones because they make it easier to loosen/remove and then reinstall old strings — something I have to do incessantly these days ’cause I’m doing so many projects based on guitar electronics.
  
  Thanks for the Guitar Fetish link — real purdy stuff! 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. March 4, 2012
    
    AiXeLsyD13
    
    Thanks man, maybe I’ll try them out on this new toy. Rock on!
    (Glad you dug the link!)
    
    Reply
March 2, 2012

Nuno Carmona

Never tried but I’m anxious for an opportunity to try those! Nice hint, Joe.

Reply
March 3, 2012

Sam Geese

I also have the Planet Waves Locking Tuners.
They work great. Wish they were chrome all over, but that’s ok.

Reply
March 3, 2012

Oinkus

Had these installed in my strat when I rebuilt it a few years ago just put a 2nd set on my Les Paul. Cheap and good stable ,hold tune well , zero issues.

Reply
March 4, 2012

DohminSemper

Hello, just a question: Do you use .011-.052 to all your guitars?

Reply
1. March 4, 2012
  
  joe
  
  In general I’m a heavy-string guy, though I usually prefer fairly low action. I usually use .011 through .052 for standard tuning, but .013 through .056 if I’m tuned down to CGCFAD. If I drop all the way to AEADF#B, I’ll use something like .013 through .070.
  
  Reply
  1. March 4, 2012
    
    DohminSemper
    
    Thank you. Why do you prefer heavy strings?
    
    Reply