I have the open slot style tuners and there must be some sort of trick to stringing them up but damned if I know what it is! I've got some Planet Waves tuners brand new in a box and tonight I came really close to pitching those slotted PIA's! I would have to poke new holes in it is the downside and I just can't bring myself to do that on a CIJ Strat neck.
What's the trick to doing this right?

Are they the vintage style tuners like these?

I really like the vintage tuners and am lucky enough to have them both on my Strat and my Tele.

It really helps to have a string winder ($2.00 at any guitar store).

I have strung new strings twice and here's what I do:

Pre-cut the string to length - about 1.5"-2" beyond the tuner post, after pulling it through the saddle and stringing it to the tuner.

Then, insert the string end into the hole in the center of the tuner.

While applying downward pressure to keep the string bottomed-out in the tuner, bend it down 90° between the slot.

Then, using the string winder start winding the tuner while holding tension on the string as it wraps around the tuning post - after half a wind, it'll 'grab' and all you need do from that point is keep tension on it and be sure that the winds fall under the previous one on the post. Be sure that initially, it stays both in the saddle slot and in the nut.

Tune the string... Voila !!

Easy-Peezy !!

cheers!

_________________


'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

+1!

Also, I like to put that 90-degree bend at the end of the string with a pair of smooth-jawed jeweler's pliers prior to inserting the end into the post -- the wrap ends up looking neater and there's less initial slippage when first tuning the string up to pitch.

Rawk on!

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I agree with lightnin and Arjay - once you get the hang of them split-posts are really easy to use. Hell I have a harder time with strings slipping or getting miswound with standard tuners than I do with split posts (of course for the first almost 15 years I played I only had split post or locking tuners - and I'll be one of those people who also had a hard time with the original winged PRS tuners).

I guess I just never worried about the string messing up the headstock finish - I don't use pliers to pre-bend the string but after I cut it to length I do bend it down in the tuner pretty hard, then I hold the string down near the tuner while I use a winder to bring it up to tension quickly.

Vintage tuners are the only ones I have on my strats

Vintage keys. For these, you'll want to pre-cut the strings to achieve the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the sixth string (tautly, remember) to the fourth key and cut it. Pull the fifth string to the third key and cut it. Pull the fourth string between the second and first keys and cut it. Pull the third string nearly to the top of the headcap and cut it. Pull the second string about a 1/2" (13 mm) past the headcap and cut it. Finally, pull the first string 1 1/2" (38 mm) past the top of the headcap and cut it. Insert into the center hole in the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90-degree angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being carefull to prevent overlapping of the strings.

This is what fender suggest, check out the how to guide on the website.

I really like this style of tuner

_________________
Squier Classic vibe 50's
Dave Gilmour "Black Strat" partscaster
'05 Squier standard Telecaster
Vox Pathfinder 15r

Yes, those are the ones and my head stock looks just like that too!

I did end up getting it strung but it was a bear. Next time I'll follow all of your advise. I know Fender didn't use these because they wanted to aggravate people!

Thanks!

I,d sure like to see the rest of the guitar please.

Me too

_________________
Squier Classic vibe 50's
Dave Gilmour "Black Strat" partscaster
'05 Squier standard Telecaster
Vox Pathfinder 15r

These are nor easy , I like the old style look but modern tuner are easier and faster to learn how.