I bought some new "Fender locking tuners" at Guitar Center for my MIM Standard.

I have yet to install them, and as I am un-familiar with locking tuners how does on go about properly stringing them? No directions are included in the purchase pack.

I was suprised. I thought the locking mechanism would lock the key and keep it form turning, but it seems they actually lock the string in the post hole.

Anyone any tips, thanks in advance.

I used to be out in left field on how locking tuners worked and what they actually do, also. Basically, the locking tuners provide an easier and more secure way of holding down the string (instead of the common winding method). In my opinion, if you know how to string properly, locking tuners will not get you any additional tuning stability (but they will for those that don't). But they do make string changes easier, and are very nice quality.

Just my $0.02...

Edit: I left out the word "additional" above by mistake. I added it in afterward.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

I will tell you one thing they sure as hell spoil you.lol My Jeff Beck Strat which has been my main ax for the past 7 years has them and whenever I have to change strings on another guitar its like oh man.lol

If they are the Fender Locking tuners, find Tuning Keys section. You will need to put the tall ones on the heavy strings and short ones on the light strings.

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php

Hope this helps out.

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'll second that. I have sperzels on my main strat. Now, I hate dealing with anything else, and dread changing strings on my other guitars. Not only that, but the sperzels have such a great ratio, and turn so perfectly, so I can very easily tune up perfectly without having to make a few "passes" anymore.

+1

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"I like the way he puts Yngwie J. Malmsteen on his album covers. You know,....so you don't confuse him with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens in the business"


2008 Fender MIM Stratocaster
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt
2009 Fender Super Champ XD

I have Sperzels on my tele and will definitely be putting some on my new MIM strat...as soon as I can afford them. String changing is sooo easy you will love it.

Just be careful not to take off the turning part that locks the string. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a used guitar w/ locking tuners and one of those is missing. That's why I have been buying Sperzels for some of my guitars. I have the Schallers on my 1989 strat plus. I'd switch them but I want that guitar to stay all original.

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

You'll also stay in tune a little better when using the trem bar, since there are less windings to loosen/re-wrap then you drop that bar.

Locking tuners are just great all around.

Yes, my locking tuners are fenders. I have not set them up side by side, I had not noticed if any were longer than ano others. they are still in the box.

I read the fender info on stringing locking tuners, but it did not clear up anything for me. I take it you pull the string through the tuner and tighten the knob down. BUT...

How much string, or how many winds around the post should you allow for, or, is it even necessary with locking tuners.

My hunch is to string it just as a regular tuner with the added benefit of knowing the lock will give a little more stability.

Slide the string through the tuner; lock the string in place. Clip it off with about 1/8" showing and tune. That's how I do it. And, that is how the strings came with my Dlx Ash Strat from the factory.

Thanks, thats the info I was looking for.

So its not necessary to have several winds around the post.

I would not have guessed that.

Thanks again

I'm really surprised GC didn't step you through the install and restring. When I bought my second hand MIM Strat it had the Sperzels on it. GC not only threw in new strings, they strung it up for me! GC rocks.

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2007 Standard MIM Strat, Midnight Wine

I have the fender locking tuners that come on the Deluxe Strat. Never noticed it before now, but there are actually two different sizes of tuners, the tuning peg is much taller for the 3 bass strings. the tuning peg is quite stumpy on the 3 treble strings. Its something interesting that i never noticed prior to reading this thread.

Regarding the main question in this thread, are locking tuners essential? no, certainly not, but are they better, Hell yes!
As stated, it takes a quarter of the time to change the strings on my deluxe than it does on my acoustic or my tele. The deluxe also holds tuning superbly. The lack of winding and quickness of tuning really does spoil you, and if it didnt leave ugly screw holes where the old tuners were on my tele, id replace the tuners tomorrow.