So I had some Sperzels on a Tele that I didn't find comfortable to play compared to my Strat. I traded in my standard Tele, (towards a Blues Junior amp) but took the Sperzels off of it before I turned it in.

I like the shiny chrome of the Schallers for a Strat, but for a lefty the Schallers are $11.95/ea. The Sperzels have a brushed chrome finish, but were paid for. At this point I'm feeling a little foolish.

I phoned my guitar teacher/neighbor and he said since I was already an expert installing the Sperzels to just go for it. Nobody would notice the finish on my tuners but me.

So because they were paid for but against the majority's advise I did install the Sperzels on my Strat.


My understanding is that the Schallers drop right in. No drilling. The Sperzels require a 5/64 hole drilled for each tuner. (Easy)

Thanks everyone!

Schallers with the Fender F!

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

I had Shallers before, and have Sprezels now. I like the sprezels more. Although they do have a narrower string-lock knob (which can cause a little discomfort on a tight lock), they have a bit more mass than the Shallers I had. Although it darkens the tone a little, it adds a bit more sustain. Plus, with the Callaham trem, strats get even brighter than stock, and a little darkening doesnt hurt at all.

Windwalker is right. A brighter tone with a little more sustain. Plus I really like how easy it is to install new strings! For me way easier. I'm pleased.

My brother has an '88 MIJ strat (olympic white, rosewood board, gold lace sensor pups) that he got brand new, and it had Sperzels on it straight out of the factory. I've no idea if this was the case on any American made models, however.

(Not being a smart alec, BTW - just wanted to chime in since the question had been asked).

I have an '89 Strat Plus that came stock with satin finish Sperzels and my 60th anniversary Deluxe has the chrome Schallers. They both do the job well, I know Sperzel makes a variety of colors available.. I like the design of the Schallers better overall and I only wish I could find them in gold.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

+1 for the schallers

cheers

I have Sperzels on my Carvin, and Schallers on my Tele. Both do the job well and are basically forgotten about.

Go for what you like the look of, unless you are wanting a reversible mod then go for the schallers, as you do not need to mess with the neck.

As far as tone and sustain, I think restringing the guitar and tuning it after installing the tuning machines probably had alot(everything) to do with the perceived changes.

As for me, it was definitely the tuners that changed the tone. I change my strings weekly (due to the use of pure nickel that wear quicker), so it was a definite change in sustain. Like I said in my post though, it darkens the tone (which I was cool with).

Sperzels came stock on the Strat Plus from 1987 to mid 1988 then they switched to Schallers.

I like Schallers but the buttons can come off and I have seen used guitars w/ missing buttons. When that is gone, you have a regular tuner wah wah waaaah

I have Schallers on my 1989 strat plus (and I will not be changing them) but I have been replacing tuners w/ Sperzels on other guitars simply because the button cannot come off.

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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