I re-strung my Ovation Deacon today (regular tuners), and it reminded me just how easy restring is on my Strat Plus with locking tuners.

So, why aren't locking tuners just standard on all 'quality' guitars? I don't understand why they are so rare... sure, they cost a few bucks more, but it can't make that much cost difference on a $1000 guitar and it makes string changes SO much easier and I don't know of any downsides.

Anyone from Fender here who can tell me why you don't just standardise on them??

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What would we upgrade to?

If done correctly, a quality non-locking tuner does a fine job of staying in tune. A Strat has to have several points along the string with minimal friction. The locking tuner is but one aspect of tuning stability.
Besides, vintage is vintage.

Then how would the American Deluxe be "deluxe"?

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It would drive the cost up on the Fender guitar. With as many people (including myself) complaining about the price hike earlier this year, are we really ready to deal with that mess? I might not be able to put $1000+ dollars on a guitar at one time, but I can buy a cheaper one and put the parts I want on it as I go. Besides if you want to have locking tuners, change them out. I am completely satisified with mine I put on my HWY 1.

BTW I have vintage tuners on my CV Strat and I can change the strings on that one just as fast as on my HWY 1 with the locking tuners.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I have one Strat with Sperzel locking tuners and one with vintage tuners. The non-locking ones seem just as good to me, and they have cleaner lines than the chunky Sperzels. Maybe if I played out and had to change a string in a hurry I'd come to appreciate the locking tuners more, but for now I'd say that their performance doesn't outstrip their ugliness, and maybe that's why they're not on every high-end guitar.

I've never used locking tuners. Never had a need as my vintage tuners perform just fine.

I recently installed Sperzel locking tuners on my Fender and I LOVE them.
Changing strings is sooo easy now.

Just purchased a new Strat yesterday and the first thing I'll do to upgrade it is to get some more Sperzels! I'm into easy string changes and staying in tune.

Maybe Fender should give a person the option of locking tuners as an option?

Just a thought.

Rock on!

To each his own but I prefer locking tuners as they are solid as a rock and make a string change a breeze. But I would not like to see them on every guitar as different tuners give a unique look to certain instruments. But I understand where you are coming from Red.