Locking Tuners

[kanegon]

Has anyone installed Sperzel locking tuners on a Studio? My previous post on the subject got zero reply. The Stetsbar works well, but I really need locking tuners and a new nut (eventually).

I noticed some people get by with the shorter posts of these Schallers from Stewmac, but they're definitely too short - what's the point if the string are going to be touching the bushing and putting extra friction on the nut? I spoke to Kaman/Hamer about ordering the Schaller M6 Topmounts but it turns out that they're also too short (post length measured to the string hole: 20mm/.078"). Too bad they drop right-in the M6 holes! The posts on original M6s are about 24mm long, and the only ones that seem long enough are Grovers or Sperzels.

Expert advice?

[landon w]

this is not expert advice by any strecth of the imaginaiton, but, sperzels are the way to go.

i know that it requires drilling a hole for the guide post on the tuner, but sperzel is going to be your best bet. If you cant do this on your own you need to get a shop to install.

Sperzel is what has been used on Hamers, i.e. Mirage

these can be ordered from stew mac for a 6 on one side OR 3x3 application. They are smooth, work VERY well and look fantastic. they will be a perfect addition to your new trem.

Good luck

[veatch]

I'm no expert, but would these work? It would leave the screw hole exposed, but at least the only new hole you'd have to drill for the pin would be covered up by the original machine heads if you put those back on...

Steinberger Tuners

If you can handle the look/design, check the measurements.

[murkat]

A properly cut and groved nut will suffice if the strings are properly dressed to the guitars actual tuners. seriously. I have tried many many locking type tuners, and they are have shortcommings and at the same time good thingsas well.

But consider this.... The strat with trem has been around a very long time. When setup to float, with the nut tuned to the string size, and the right amount of wrap on the tuner post, its majic. And stays in tune.

But if you want locking tuners, and thats great, please consult with

Uncle Greg. Why?

Greg knows Hamers. Greg Knows what is going to work the best with you setup. Greg is a SMALL Bizz owner/ operator, He needs your bizz, He knows his shet. I know he knows and thats knowing

Seriously, see what Greg thinks, He will kill me later

[geoff_hartwell]

I have a set of Sperzels on my HB Special and it's great.

The tuners are the 3x3 graded height so they're slightly shorter on the a and b posts, and shorter still on the d and g posts. Because I like the option to bend behind the nut when the spirit moves me, I had the Schaller locking ones installed on the main gigging gtrs. The posts are the same height on all, and allow for some more workable space.

I like the Schallers much better.

Good Luck!

Geoff

[kanegon]

I have a set of Sperzels on my HB Special and it's great.

The tuners are the 3x3 graded height so they're slightly shorter on the a and b posts, and shorter still on the d and g posts. Because I like the option to bend behind the nut when the spirit moves me, I had the Schaller locking ones installed on the main gigging gtrs. The posts are the same height on all, and allow for some more workable space.

I like the Schallers much better.

Good Luck!

Geoff

Hi Geoff - the posts on the locking Schallers I have don't even clear the holes for the strings completely. I ended up drilling 6 of those guide holes before I realized the string holes were about 1/3 obscured. I didn't try threading it, but it looks as if the string would touch the bushing and pull the strings even farther down over the nut - causing more friction. I'd go with the Schallers you're using, but which ones are they exactly? Can't imagine you've found room to wiggle up there, seeing I can't even get the holes to clear the bushings. Pics would be a great public service! BTW, your stuff is great.

[geoff_hartwell]

Thanks, Bro!

Sadly, I'll have to ask my girlfriend to help me with posting pics, but I'll see what I can get goin' for ya!

Geoff

Hi Geoff - the posts on the locking Schallers I have don't even clear the holes for the strings completely. I ended up drilling 6 of those guide holes before I realized the string holes were about 1/3 obscured. I didn't try threading it, but it looks as if the string would touch the bushing and pull the strings even farther down over the nut - causing more friction. I'd go with the Schallers you're using, but which ones are they exactly? Can't imagine you've found room to wiggle up there, seeing I can't even get the holes to clear the bushings. Pics would be a great public service! BTW, your stuff is great.

[Gino]

I've been pondering locking tuners for my FM Special for quite a while - not that I had any tuning problems with the Schaller Minis - I just like the comfort when changing strings. I had the objective to not drill any extra holes for the fixing screws, though.

Never could get a hold of the Schaller locking minis, and mind you, they are made over here! I like the Sperzels on three of my other guitars, but you have to drill a hole for the spike underneath. So that was a no go.

I finally ended up with Grover mini roto-grips (those: http://www.saitenmarkt.com/Roto-Grip+Mini+Size.htm).

They don't have the hole for the fixing screw at the samne place as the Schaller minis, but by srewing the Grover screw into the original hole you can hold the tuner in place. That's what I did and it works and I can always go back to original.

[kanegon]

They don't have the hole for the fixing screw at the samne place as the Schaller minis, but by srewing the Grover screw into the original hole you can hold the tuner in place. That's what I did and it works and I can always go back to original.

That's great to know. Do the string holes clear the bushings completely on the FM? Do they seem taller/shorter than Sperzel's?

[gorch]

I put Sperzels on my Standard. It works well so far and stands for ~90% of the tuning. The other 10% go to the nut.

To install the Sperzels, I had to extend the big holes from 9mm to 10mm plus drilling the guide holes.

[Gino]

That's great to know. Do the string holes clear the bushings completely on the FM? Do they seem taller/shorter than Sperzel's?

They fit in like they were meant to. I don't know if they're longer than Sperzels, but the Sperzels are pretty short.

[kanegon]

One month later, I'm still having no luck.

The Schaller Locking Tuners (thumbscrew type) were too short. And now, according to Matt at 30th Street Gtrs (NY), the standard ungraduated Sperzels are also too short. Come on, how thick could the peghead on that 93 Studio be? Thicker than Gibson's 18mm, I guess.

We're going to try the topmount Grovers next. The clamp hole should end up about 1mm taller than the M6's, which could affect the tension over the nut.

So does anybody want new never used Sperzels in hard-to-find chrome, $75 shipped? Maybe it'll for YOUR Studio, who knows...