#Gotoh vintage locking tuners bluex installIt’s hard to predict exactly how the tone will change-and guitarists debate this endlessly-but if you like how your guitar currently sounds, think twice before you install non-direct replacement tuners.īecause a higher gear ratio lets the post rotate in smaller increments, you have more control over the tuning process. When you change mass on the headstock-by adding heavier or lighter hardware-it changes how the neck responds to string vibration. If you have a modern instrument and decide to install tuners that aren’t direct replacements, be aware that this usually affects the guitar’s tone. If you do the research and find the right tuner, you can make a clean installation with simple hand tools. Gotoh, Kluson, and Grover make excellent direct replacement keys that typically offer higher ratios than vintage tuners, but are otherwise a drop-in retrofit for Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, and other popular models. Whenever you drill new holes or enlarge the existing holes in the headstock-or anywhere, for that matter-it devalues the instrument.įor a vintage axe, always store the original keys in a safe place to preserve them. #Gotoh vintage locking tuners bluex upgradeIf you’re planning to upgrade your tuners, there’s more to consider than just the gear ratio.įor starters, if you have a vintage guitar (or an expensive modern instrument) and the keys are deteriorating or not working properly, I recommend installing direct replacement keys that do not require any modifications. Gotohs range from 14:1 to 28:1, and Graph Tech’s new Ratio sets have variable ratios, from 39:1 on the low E to 12:1 on the high E. For example, modern Grovers have ratios from 14:1 to 18:1. Modern replacement keys have a much higher gear ratio than vintage keys. Lower ratio keys make it harder to reach a precise string tension, and this can cause you to jump past the desired note as you tune up. In other words, an 18:1 ratio offers a finer degree of control than an 11:1 ratio. Using a flathead screwdriver to remove vintage-style mounting screws.īecause a higher gear ratio lets the post rotate in smaller increments, you have more control over the tuning process. They may look like ancient, inexpensive keys-the kind once used on budget or student guitars-but they’re precision machines. Conversely, the higher the ratio, the more times you have to turn the button for the post to revolve completely.Ī relatively recent arrival to today’s tuner scene, Waverly keys have rekindled interest in the old-school, open-gear design. The lower the gear ratio, the fewer times you have to turn the button for the post to make a revolution. #Gotoh vintage locking tuners bluex fullThis two-digit number tells you how many times you have to turn the tuning key’s button for the string post to make one full revolution. When describing their tuners, manufacturers include a ratio in the specs. Gotoh, Sperzel, Waverly, Grover, Planet Waves, Kluson, and Schaller are among the manufacturers of high-quality tuners, and these companies offer models that retrofit most guitars and provide superior gearing.ĭecoding a tuner’s ratio. The result was tuners that would slip out of tune, making life difficult for performers.įast forward to the present, where we have dozens of choices. Most antique keys had a very low turning ratio and were poorly geared. It was revolutionary at the time, but became obsolete by the 1800s when John Preston developed a superior design. One of the first known manufacturers of a geared tuning key was John Frederick Hintz, who developed his device in 1766. These pegs were generally made from hardwoods and were very difficult to use.īoasting art-deco knobs and cast housings, these sealed Grover Imperial tuners are often found on archtop jazz guitars. Only a few companies made “geared keys.” Before that, most lutes and guitars used friction pegs, like those found on a violin. In the early days of the guitar’s evolution, there was little choice when it came to replacing your keys. Guitarists and luthiers use various names for tuning keys, including machine heads, tuning gears, tuning pegs, and of course, tuners. Fortunately, you’ll be able to avoid these issues with a little knowledge. Trying to install keys that don’t fit properly can devalue your instrument and cause mechanical problems. But before you open your wallet, be sure you choose the correct keys for your guitar. Many guitars come from the factory with inexpensive tuning keys, so it’s usually a good idea to upgrade them. It’s worth investing in high-quality tuners, but do some homework before you upgrade.Ī good set of tuning keys can make an enormous difference in how well your guitar performs. Machine heads, tuners, tuning keys, gears, or pegs: Whatever you call them, these devices determine how easily your guitar gets in tune and stays there.
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