OK Fender people, I would like to know what you think of Sperzel Trim-Lok Tuners. I'm currently waiting for a set in gold for one of my lefty mexicans. They are on back order due to the unusual request for gold, left handed (they call them reverse tuners). Anybody tried them? What's the verdict? If they're not all they could or should be I can still cancel the order and look elsewhere. Quite frankly I'm tired of waiting for them. It's been a month and they keep moving the date out further.

I have them on a BC Rich Bich metal guitar with EMGs. I wouldn't put them on a Tele or Strat. No advantage over strings properly stung using Fender tuners. Fender uses these tuners for a reason.

Your choice. If you do get them and the string doesn't seem to want to poke through the hole in the post, give the tuning shaft a tap on the top as the pin sometimes sticks.

Hi sunburst: I have Trim-Loks on a Strat. I like 'em plenty, though it should be recorded that Forum user Nutter had his hands on that particular guitar and decided he couldn't really see the need for locking tuners, with all the extra fuss and bulk and such. I agree with him about that: I also have Strats with vintage type machines, modern Am Std Pings and Schaller locking tuners - and frankly it doesn't matter a tinker's cuss to me which I'm using.

But if you must have lockers then I see no meaningful difference between these and Schaller's model (as found on American Deluxe Fenders), other than that the knurled thumb wheel is perhaps a touch more aesthetically pleasing on the Schallers. If you have the Sperzels on order I'd carry on waiting for them if I were you.

BTW: is it the matte gold or shiny gold ones you are holding out for? For some reason the shiny Sperzels seem harder to get; I have no idea why. Where are you buying them, please?

Good luck - C

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the sperzels are ok but not as good as the planet waves locking tuners.

the planet waves have a better gear ratio and also clips the excess string after a string change.

What 'better' advantage is this gear ratio and why do you need the tuner to clip the string?

Is this still a guitar tuner we are discussing?

Thanks for the run down guys.
Ceri, it is the shiny gold that I'm waiting for. It seems that Musicians Friend can't really give me an accurate date for delivery. They're blaming it on Sperzel. I will say this though, trying to get left handed hardware from them (Musicians Friend) is very challenging. They don't even have a gold left handed tremolo system and were not concerned at all with ordering me one. I'm sure I'll find one sooner or later. I was hoping to purchase one at a recent guitar show here in Philly but had a last minute crisis and never got there. I'd like to hear from the lefties out there about where you prefer to shop for your replacement parts.

Thanks Again Guys

In before it's all over...

I've used locking tuners since the dawn of time on my Strats. My first one came with them as standard. My second one had them retrofitted. My third one I bought from the seller with them on. My fourth one had them as standard. My fifth one never had them, but I never had it long enough to change them. My sixth one will definitely have them- I've already ordered it...

Personally, I think they're a very worthwhile upgrade. To me, they make string changing way easier, they (for me at any rate) allow me to get the strings up to tune way quicker, including stretching, and they seem to deal with tremolo use a lot better than any standard tuners I've used.

This is just my $0.02. I've used Schallers on the American Deluxe, Sperzel Trim-Lok, Planet Waves and also the PRS ones that lock in with the little black screw at the top. To be honest, they all perform the same- although I find the wheel on the Sperzels a little tricky compared to the massive lump you get with the Deluxe Schallers.

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

Hi again sunburst. Interesting: I've had a bit of a look around and so far not found an alternative source for left hand gold Trim-Loks - though perhaps another Forum user will know better. For example, Stew-Mac stock them... but only right handed. WD Music in the UK stock them but only right handed and WD in the US don't stock Sperzels at all. Odd.

Incidentally, here's something unusual. The US version of WD Music stock gold Gotoh locking tuners - and very surprisingly the right hand version is $106.40 while the identical left hand model is $68.75:

http://www.wdmusic.com/locking_tuners.html

It's not often that the left hand option costs less than the right hand one, is it? Do you feel like snapping them up just on principle...?

Anyhow. If you continue to have trouble getting your tuners supplied why not email Sperzel direct and ask them if they have advice? Their email is sperzel@sperzel.com , as per this page:

http://www.sperzel.com/Where_to.html

They are positively requesting you to talk to them...

Good luck - C

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Thanks once again Ceri. You supplied me with much useable info. I have e-mailed Sperzel directly per your advice and currently waiting for their reply. The Gotoh's are quite interesting with the price difference but I'm not sure if I care much for the mounting procedures, what with the screw and all. In some cases I'm a bit of a purist and not one to put extra holes where there was none. I seem to remember a post talking about the need to open the tuner mounting hole in order to install the tuner. What was the tuner they were speaking of? I hope it wasn't the Sperzel because I am also not too sold on the idea of altering the mounting hole either.

Your MIM will have 10 mm pegholes that fit the Sperzels - unless it is a Classic '50s or Classic '60s model with vintage type tuners. In that case you will have to enlarge the pegholes.

But don't worry, that is not so hard. We've just been discussing the right way to do it with magicmonkey, on this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=59399

Alternatively, if a guy wanted locking tuners but wanted to stay with the vintage look and peghole size Gotoh do a model that exactly fits that spec:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guit ... uners.html

Annoyingly from your point of view Stew-Mac don't seem to stock them in either gold or left handed - though they exist. Gotoh (a subsidiary of Hosco) have a very interesting catalog available online, here:

http://www.hosco.co.jp/HOSCO_ENGLISH/Pages/Gotoh.html

Important first to study and understand the tuner post designation system on page 4 of that catalog. Then on pages 12/13 we see that they do indeed make a left-handed version of their vintage style tuner in gold with locking capstans. You can work out the model number from their examples on the page: to the best of my understanding as an Authorised Dealer Stew-Mac should then be able to order the part. Though they will have to confirm that: I've always found their customer services department very helpful.

By the way, although the Sperzel Trim-Loks don't have the screw lug on the side are you aware that instead they have a locator pin on the back of the casing? It can be a bit of a task to drill the hole for that in the perfect position. It is entirely do-able, and if you wish I can talk you through it. But it is slightly fiddly and painstaking work to get it right - and nothing looks more awful than tuners installed crooked. Something you might want to consider before purchase.

Though depending what tuners you currently have on there you may already have the appropriately placed pin hole beneath them. Take one off for a look-see and compare what you find with the diagram at the bottom of this page:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guit ... cs#details

If you need anything else - gissa shout.

Good luck - C

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I love em. I have them on the strat i built. Those, along with a proper setup, and i can literally play for hours, then check my tuning, and MAYBE one or 2 strings will be just a hair out of tune, but thats about it. And i use the tremolo frequently. A proper setup is required or it doesnt matter if you have locking tuners, they'll go out. My strat, I picked up yesterday after not playing for 3 weeks, and it was still in tune.
I dont like the Planet Waves. I installed them in a kids guitar because he brought them in, i dont like the string cutter, i find it cuts it to close, plus they dont to seem to have the mass. Actally, i dont like anything planet waves puts out except for straps.
I like the SPrezel because they have a bit more mass to them, it warms up the brightness that comes from 1) ITS A STRAT, loland 2)my machined steel block makes it brighter, so the heavier tuners darken it a little.
my other strat has all brass tremolo hardware on it now, everything from the tremolo, to the spring claw, wich is very meaty and heavy. So it warms it up. You still get all the frequencies, plus some, but you dont get that shrill harsh sound on the bridge pickup with gain on it.