They're both good..,,,..they both beat the living hell out of Ping tuners......but I find the German ones to be better made...i.e.......stay in tune better.

_________________
I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

My package says they were made in Tiawan. I have my orginal Fender/Pings in it. I keep all my OEM stuff, just in case I want to restore it back to the orginal specs with the orginal parts.

Personally I like the "F" ones. I have not had any issues with them. They work.

RK

Fender/Schaller brushed finish = $74.99 (Musician's Friend)

Fender/Schaller Chrome Plated "F" = $66.55 (Speciality Guitars.com)


RK

The German ones are obviously a slight bit more because of the quality. I find them to be better made.


However.....I have the "F" stamped ones on one of my favorite Highway One Strat HSS's...my 'go to' guitar and I DID have to replace a single tuner on it..it failed . Thank goodness I found a single one on E-Bay other wise it would've costed me another set.
If indeed I do get another tuning key failure....I'm replacing them with a German set!

_________________
I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

Sorry to hear that you had issues with your "F" locking tuners. I have not had any issues with mine. They work like a charm. When I get my new guitar I may put locking tuners on it depending on if I have issues with those tuners. I may spend a few bucks more and get the superior German made Schallers. Until then I will stick with my tuners just like they are.

RK

Well, I did it - I got the German ones, and just got the guitar back yesterday.

I couldn't be happier with them, they're great. I was concerned that I may not like them, but I just love 'em.

Just one thing - does anyone know of any sites that go into detail about restringing? I've never owned a guitar with locking machine heads before, and can't find any helpful info in any of the books I have lying around (which are all pretty old, now I think about it).

I admit I feel a little silly asking that question - but I want to make sure I know what to do when it comes time to put new strings on.

Cheers, and thanks in advance!

Hi Simon,

if you google "String Locking Tuners" you'll get several Youtube movies and other sites about how to string the locking tuners
Hope this helps you.

_________________
Greetings from Amsterdam, Willem

Just as old as the Stratocaster but with a better body.

From the strat setup guide:

"Locking tuning keys. Picture the headcap of the neck as the face of a clock, with the top being 12:00 and the nut being 6:00. Line the six tuning machines so that the first string keyhole is set at 1:00, the second at 2:00, the third and fourth at 3:00, the fifth at 4:00, and the sixth at 5:00. Pull the strings through tautly and tighten the thumb wheel, locking the string in. Now tune to pitch."

Really easy - I just put them on a tele I built - they look great, and make changing strings and keeping in tune a breeze.

I have a 2006 Hwy One with the Fender/Schaller locking tuners. They were a direct replacement. I love 'em. I'll put them on all my guitars from now on. Simple string changes. Stays in tune perfectly. What more could you ask for in a tuner?

_________________
2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

I follow this guide with my string changes. I also stretch the strings twice and retune after each stretch.

Stratstang and SherKahn - thank you!