Thanks for watching! If you're trying to determine whether locking tuners are the right move for you, I hope this video is helpful!

"add a little weight" *looks at my Les Paul*

Locking tuners should be on all guitars manufactured today! Save time and less tuning problems. I have change for locking tuners on all of my guitars and never look back :) Thanks for the video!

1 thing to consider when installing new strings with lock tuners is what tuning you will be using or if you will be constantly using different tunings. If you plan on going from c standard to e standard for example maybe give it a single wind around the tuning post before slotting, especially on the thicker strings as they move more while tuning. Idk if I explained this all too well but hey.

I got myself locking tuners on one of my guitars and they do the job! I' m bending strings all the time and stay tune 98% .

locking tuner is heaven if you having a few guitars to restring at the same time.

The (maybe) improved tuning stability off locking tuners is a nice little added bonus. But the time and hassle they save you on re-stringing your guitar is what makes them a must have in my opinion. EVERY good guitar should come with locking tuners IMO. Even if it's a FR-Model with a locking nut.

Once I got a guitar with locking tuners I was sold. I put them on my Christmas list for my other guitars. Getting older my eyes don't focus like they used to, my hands are a little shaky and I'm just a bit more clumsy in general. With locking tuners, if I can hit the hole I'm done.

As far as tuning stability goes, I’m amazed at how many guitarists don’t know how to stretch their strings in properly. Good video!! Thanks for the info on locking tuners, man!

Never thought i would care about locking tuners until i got some. Would never go back now.

I think what people mistake for string stretch is really the string taking a while to form the bends that the string must make at the bridge, nut and where it meets the tuning peg. One can speed this process greatly for a new string by pressing down on string in front of bridge saddles and on both sides of the nut and also press on the string at the tuner to help it make that tight 90 degree bend. Do this and you will greatly reduce the time it takes a new string to become stable.

Unless your guitar has a locking nut then locking tuners should be a given improvement. Honestly even though it seems like overkill, locking tuners on a guitar with a locking nut can offer easier string changes overall.

I think the thing I love most about my locking tuners is that they've made it much easier to change strings on my Bigsby-equipped guitars (to the point where I don't feel like I need two other people)

Love my locking tuners. Makes changing strings so easy, and yes they stay in tune much better.

I just installed my first set of locking tuners (Grover) on an Epiphone LP. I fell in love with them if only for how quickly it enables you to change strings. I have since ordered 5 more sets to install on all my Fender guitars.

The best thing about locking tuners is how easy it makes changing your strings. I don't see a huge advantage otherwise.

Absolutely solved my tuning issues with a Les Paul and a Jackson with Floyd Rose tremolo.

I've been playing since the 1960s and my luthier has converted me to locking tuners just today. Thanks for the helpful video.

Changing your strings in a few minutes is priceless. Stick it, clamp it, cut it, turn it, DONE.

One of the biggest misconceptions and myths of the guitar world (and there are a *lot* ), is that locking tuners directly increase tuning stability and will fix all tuning problems. That is not the case. The _only_ reason a locking tuner might help tuning stability is that there are no wraps around the pole piece that can expand and contract. If you have too many windings around a normal tuning post and they overlap, the strings will start to expand and contract against each other adding to the friction at the contact points and the possibility that they will not return back to proper pitch. The expensive locking tuners are also usually made of high quality material and are better made compared to the tuners getting replaced so that also adds to the misconceptions. String slippage will rarely, if ever at all, occur with a proper over/under etc. string locking technique and normal tuners. The nut and bridge have much more to do with tuning stability than the tuners themselves, and those are often the offenders when it comes to tuning problems. The biggest plus, and intention, of locking tuners is to significantly decrease the amount of time it takes to change strings. They make the process so fast and efficient. Gigging musicians who change their strings regularly or who are on tour will benefit the most from them, but for hobby bedroom players who don't do changes frequently (weekly/monthly) it's a decision to make if the expense it worth it because they are more of a convenience item and they don't give as much of a practical tuning stability increase as others tend to believe. The nut and bridge. Those are the focus points unless it's clear and obvious the tuners are worn out and the gears themselves are slipping due to wear.

draw back: when using floyd bridge with locking saddles, you don't have much string left when it breaks

I hadn't tried locking tuners until I started buying Carvin guitars about ten years ago. I absolutely love them when it comes time to change strings. It takes me about 1/4 the time that it usually would. As far as staying in tune better… I'd say that in my experience they're a little better, but I wouldn't expect a giant difference.

I agree. A locking tuner does nothing more than save you the hassle of correctly wrapping the string around the tuners. There is no string slippage if one correctly wraps the strings. Also given the gear ration the act of increasing tension on strings cannot possibly unwind the strings or cause it to slip. Most tuning problems arise from the string binding at the nut and not stretching strings correctly. Most people would benefit more from installing a TUSQ nut and removing the string trees.

I love locking tuners. String changes are so much quicker.

I don't have any problems with tuning stability with any of my guitars. I just stretch them good when I change them. The only benefit of locking tuners is if you have multiple guitars, and you change the strings in them every month. Locking tuners will save time when you change strings, or if you break one, on stage. I always use 18:1 standard tuners.

100 percent worth it. I swapped Fender Player series tuners for the Fender locking and Wow it stays in tune a ton better.

This is so much better, i hate changing strings on my non locking tuners, getting the wrap around right is a real pain, locking tuners is definitely the way to go!

Locking tuners are a good upgrade but what a lot of players overlook is the nut. I always use graphite or pencil lead in the string grooves when replacing strings because graphite is a natural lubrication when friction is involved with metal or any other hard material.

Locking tuners are awesome and I put them on all my guitars. They're nice on six strings but an absolute necessity for extended range guitars. They're a lot cheaper nowadays, too, with good quality tuners being available for less than $30

I'm a vintage tuner guy for Strats and Teles. Gotoh makes a great locking tuner that looks the same at a glance and adds almost no mass. I discovered them on my first Grosh and use them on all my builds now. Plus, ease of string changes compared to the old vintage with the hole hole in the top is a major improvement for me, but I'm a klutz.

So true about how having more things going on means more things there are to go wrong.

I use them on my Fender Strats in order to reduce tuning issues. Otherwise, I stick to the popular standard brand tuners if replacements are needed. But keep in mind it is only just one step in correcting possible tuning issues. As was briefly mentioned the string nut and bridge can also be a source of tuning issues depending on the design and condition and amount of wear over time.

Based on your description I was convinced I didn't care to upgrade. But after watching you actually change the string, I'm 100% sold. My headstocks have a bunch of scratches on them from me wrapping the strings around. With locking tuners I won't have to worry about that.

Hi from England. Locking tuners. I have them on all my guitars. Stainless steel frets yes, roller bridge yes, zero fret yes.

Yes, they are great. Especially for fast string changes.

Using a 7 string in drop F with a 74 for your low F string basically makes locking tuners a necessity. Especially when played aggressively. I’m going to upgrade to them immediately.

i am slightly dyslexic ...and for nearly 40 yrs ...i have always had trouble changing strings...cant tell if i have wrapped them under or over ...how many winds ...or even which way to go ...locking tuners are a real godsend ....i know they didnt market them for me ..but i am once happy camper with these on my axes

I have 12 guitars in my collection. I changed all of them with lockers. Best thing I ever did. A lot of touring guitar techs had their own method of stringing strings which drove me crazy.

Thanks man, just picked up a white falcon and it has my first locking tuners. Been playing old school for 45 years, learning still!

I'm a gigging guitarist and I have them for the sole purpose of making on-the-fly string break changes faster. I haven't found them to be more or less stable than normal tuners in terms of tuning, but they're definitely more convenient and worth having for your gigging/most frequently played guitars.

I have a 1991 Fender Stratplus and the Schaller locking tuners work the same as the day i got it, no problems. I had to tighten up the buttons a couple of times but that's it. Just bought some Fender stamped locking tuners for my MIM player Tele, going to get them tomorrow.

Just replaced my gforce auto tuner on my LP with locking Grover’s, I’m in love, next guitar to get this up grade will be my Strat. Every guitar should come standard with these. I won’t put them on my Taylor but on my electric guitars....yeah.

I'm doing a total mod on a '97 Squire Affinity Strat. Between proper winding and stretching I don't have slipping issues at the tuners but with this mod I DO have an upper budget limit. Skipping a feature I don't need gives me a bit more money to put into pickups. Thanks for the video!

Never having an issue with tuning stability on my Gibson SG. No locking tuners. Just properly slotted nut. My G&L USA Legacy Special has Sperzel Locking tuners and i like it because of how easy to change strings. Locking tuners to me is just a supplement to a properly slotted nut and faster string changes.

Love locking tuners! They make string changes a joy! I don’t see why they don’t come stock on all guitars.

Scott , I was the person who asked for this video. Thanks for the time & effort. You answered all my questions about locking guitar tuners. I've been playing guitar for almost forty years & your videos have addressed many issues i have always been curious about. I've used another companies strings for most of my playing years but have been very pleased to make the switch to Stringjoy.

Everyone is talking about keeping your guitar in tune, but for me the biggest benefit is how much easier it makes string changes.

I have an old Peavey Predator that I could not keep in tune when using the tremolo so I hard tailed it. I'm putting locking tuners on it and will be freeing up the tremolo. Plus I'm installing Rose pickups with a blender circuit. Should be fun...

I have Sperzel locking tuners on my Squier Pro Tone. They are some of the original locking tuners on the market and they weren't cheap. I recommend them on guitars with tremelos and they definitely make string change easier. My strat will stay near perfect tune for weeks at a time but I am not sure I would put them on a high end or vintage guitar or Acoustic although they would work great. Remember the bridge and nut can also affect tuning stability but good tuners are a big help. Cheap tuners with backlash in the gears will be problematic locking or not although you can now find decent tuners without spending an arm or leg like I did.

I put locking tuners on most of my better guitars and certainly all my work guitars. It makes changing strings so much easier and faster. Out tune problems I always blamed the nut and I put bone nuts on all of my guitars. I noticed some of my work guitars still went in and out there of tune. When you did a few bends the post wrap would loosen up and tighten up. It was the tuners and replacing them fix that. Another great video Steve.

I use locking tuners but I actually do wrap the string around the post once because I've got flat wounds and I don't trust that clamp to hold a flatwound down. That said I wind it around the peg twice, *then* run it through the peg hole and then clamp it down. Then it's tuned in just a few turns.

I rarely comment on videos but man oh man, what a great, clean content. Cheers!

Wow, now I know why I keep falling down on my left side while playing, ever since I put Grover locking tuners on my LP.

I’ve been playing professionally for 20 years, and I’ve always used the old school Kluson tuners because they look cool, but I finally got sick of tuning all 6 strings after EVERY song. I’ve had locking tuners on my #1 for a little over a month now, and while the tuning stability is no longer an issue at all, the added weight from the headstock is definitely distracting during solos, especially in the upper registers, and my left-hand vibrato isn’t as loose as I like.

I got a set of Gotohs on my ESP CTM and they are awesome! I wish I had tried them a long time ago! Now I just need a set for my Les Pauls. Maybe be able to get that damn G string ghost out of them.

Heh. I remember a Peanuts comic from back in the day ... Charlie Brown says to Linus, "Well, my dad finally figured out what that lever under the dash of his new car was for. It was one more thing to go wrong."

I have vintage style fender, standard fender, and locking style fender tuners. I really like the fender locking tuners the best. I wish they could make them look like the vintage tuners but we can't always get what we want.

I have never used them before. I would like to get them on my next new guitar

Just put locking tuners on my strat it stayed in tune well before and still does the main difference is a full string change takes a couple of minutes from none to on and stretched and tuned and that alone is worth the money being able to change a set twice as fast oh and no need for string trees which is also a nice bonus

Thank you for your very informational video. I really enjoyed watching it because you answered almost ever question I had.

When you've got a lot of guitars, the time saving alone is great, like someone mentioned that if you have to do several at once.. way, WAY faster. Pull it tight through the hole.. lock the back, and with the tuners I have been getting, I don't even need the cutter anymore! Done! Fastest string change ever! It's CONSIDERABLY faster... Not just by a little bit.

The only reason i would consider putting them on would be if locking tuners would hold better tuning while using tremolo bar. I imagine the wraps wouldn't loosen or tighten because you don't really need to wrap the strings. Would a roller nut and locking tuners be best for this desired outcome?

Quicker to string up after you've done it a few times. Less time = back to playing sooner, after stretching of course. Thank you for the video!

I just got a Mitchell ms450 it came with lock ing tuners haven't changed the strings yet on my other guitars I have standard tuners l use a Luthierknot when l put on new strings never had a problem with slipping or staying in tune, the lock ln tuners are kinda nifty 🎶🎵

Love my locking tuners. I use them on my Sheraton hollow body and my Takamine acoustic.My main reason is quick string changes as I change strings for every gig and if I have 2 gigs in a day ( summer weekends) I'll change the D and G between gigs as I break these a lot!.

Locking 100% without doubt.

I bought a Suhr-Strat with locking tuners, and the tuning stability is Phenomenal. It's light-years ahead and far-superior to my vintage Fender Stratocaster = honesty. oNe LoVe from NYC

Excellent discussion of the pro's and con's and demonstration of proper stringing technique. Thanks!

Wow! You did an outstanding job explaining and demonstrating! I’m sold on this! Thank you

Did you know some of The Schaller type sealed tuners tout themselves as locking tuners as well. It's claimed that after you tune them up, you simply tighten the tiny Phillips head screw on the end of the tuning peg handle and it locks it down. Seemed to work for alot of units. Give it a try.

Is there a practical reason other than cost for some of the bowed string instruments to keep having friction-based tuners rather than gear-based tuners?

I had been playing guitar for 2 1/2 years before someone clued me in about stretching strings. I thought I had a crappy guitar, it just turns out that nobody ever taught me how to change strings the right way. Ever since I got my first set of locking tuners, I've made it a priority to put them on every guitar I own. Changing strings the old fashioned way feels really tedious once you've gotten used to them.

One drawback is that if you change tunings on the fly, your string will break. The spooling effect of "normal" will let you tune up and down without the temper break occurring. I used to use Sperzels but now I use ratio "normal" tuners.

I put locking tuners on all my guitars. Even my acoustics. If your guitar uses cheap tuners and you upgrade with good locking tuners, you'll notice a change for the better. But there are good non locking tuners that function as well as locking tuners. Even still you gain the advantage of being easier to change strings with locking tuners so it's a win win for not much money. I think grover locking 502c are the best.

Just got my first guitar with locking tuners. It seems to me that any alternate tuning (other than perhaps drop D) would be problematic with locking tuners due to not enough slack or extra being left on the tuning pegs. Thoughts, anyone?

I don't get how properly fitted strings would slip off on regular tuners

I have them on my Strat and they are great, can't wait to put some on my Gretsch with a Bigsby. I think it will make string changes way easier.

I think it depends on the situation if they're worth it or not. For example, if you buy a lower end guitar that comes with cheap tuners that don't stay in tune very well, it'd be worth upgrading the tuners to at least some better quality tuners, and while you're at it you could get locking tuners if you wanted them. Or if you have a decent quality, but still doesn't stay in tune very well, like a Gibson style guitar, then locking tuners might help fix that. Also if you have a strat or a guitar with a strat style trem system, locking tuners might help with the tuning stability.

I use locking tuners on all y guitars. They usually work best when I make sure the intonation is right and the strings are stretched.

Love locking tuners especially on guitars with tremolo bridges.

Good video. No mention of tremelo arm use though, surely that's a major reason to opt for locking heads for non Floyd rose type electric guitars, which is where you don't really want the string coiled round.

I have used locking tuners for years on electric guitars and find that they work quite well. I wonder in the long term if the pin mechanism may get worn out. I also wonder whether the signal is slightly “degraded” because of the lack of the mass around the string post.

I feel like it only makes sense if you change strings regularly. And even then, having a winding key would do the job just as well and you can use it on all guitars so... eh.

I'm gonna get some for my 2 les Paul's tired of stringing them up the old way

With standard tuners I have a hard time changing strings because I have had them break on me while putting them on. I might switch to locking tuners so I can put them on and then tune them.

I guess my question is would using locking tuners help keep a guitar that's not equipped with a locking nut stay in tune better while using a tremolo as oppose to using regular tuners?

Hey Brother. Your vid was the most instructive vid on the locking tuners. Thank you. I appreciate the pros and cons, gotta have those. Thank you again. Dirt

I plan on getting locking tuners on my new PRS Silver Sky SE. Thanks for the info

Adds a little bit of weight to the head stock? That's a really sensitive ability to detect the added wight of locking tuners. I never noticed. My Strat's as balanced as any I've played. The only real advantage to locking tuners is the time and effort it takes to change a string. They are worth it.

How about a video on why many acoustics and other instruments have open machine head gears instead of the closed ones most electrics have? Or is this too far removed from being a string-related topic?

Major advantage: I'm very lazy when changing my strings...I hate it! Got my eye on some Grover Roto-Grips.😁 Doubt I'll notice the weight on my Les Paul.

Thanks, Stringjoy. I got my set in the mail (gold with pearl handles) and I thought they were just toys. Very small, no directions included, and the pearl handles are quite small as though built for a Fender Strat or something! I like how you said "trying to determine" because I'm still not sure.

Got them on my Schecter. Work really well.

I have locking tuners on all my guitars because it makes string changes so much faster. I even put them on my acoustic too!

The big advantage for me is the convenience. Changing strings with locking tuners is very quick and easy.

If and this is a BIG if........your tuners are of the locking type and your nut is properly slotted and you have your trem locked down to the body , the only friction point is your string tree , saddle and nut. Can't see an issue with the saddles if they are lubed and smooth. Can't see an issue with the string tree if its lubed. Can't see and issue with the nut if it's properly slotted and lubed it to make it more slippery. If you have a plastic nut then all bets are off. My explanation only applies to bone nuts and stratocasters. If everything is covered then your strat should stay in tune + or - 5 cents. Oh and stretch your strings after new install.

Nice overview and advice regarding locking tuners. I've been considering changing out the Kluson turners on my 2010 Gibson Les Paul '52 Tribute to locking turners. I'm not a big fan of changing strings and also not that crazy about the Kluson's (both look and function). I like the idea of locking tuners making the restring job faster and easier. I am looking at the Gotoh SD90-MGT-05M Magnum Lock Vintage Locking Tuners as they appear to be drop in replacements or pretty close to it. Your review has provided a lot I need to know about using them correctly. Thanks again.

The good thing is that you won't have to hold the string ends when restringing, which makes them very useful imo

I know a lot of people are really swearing by the evertune system, have you had any experience with that and how it might help keep your guitar in tune even better?

I've never been convinced that locking tuners improve tuning stability at all, they just make it quicker, and a little bit less of a chore to change strings. Planet Waves even make locking tuners that automatically trim the string for you!