What do locking tuners really do?

While I agree with Norm that properly installed strings work just as well on normal tuners, I do not agree that locking tuners are for "those that never bothered to learn how to put their strings on properly". My $4000 PRS has locking tuners and it is hardly marketed to noobs that don't know how to change strings. I like locking tuners personally but many old school folks don't.

Hello there,

Locking tuners come in many different styles. What they all have is some feature that grabs the string and tries to hold it. Locking tuners will reduce string slippage at the tuning peg compared to a regular tuning peg. However, if you use the lock down method of installing the strings, you get the same effect (or nearly so). From my point of view, locking tuners are for those who never bothered to learn how to put their strings on properly.

The answer about not having lots of wraps around the tuning peg only illustrates the common lack of understanding about how to put strings on properly. With locking tuners you are going to have 1 to 2 wraps. In a proper installation of the strings with regular tuners you will have 2 wraps or 3 at the most. Any more wraps than that and you get tuning stability issues.

If you are using the lock down method of installing the strings and still have some string slippage on the tuning pegs, swap to locking tuners. If you are not using the lock down method of installing the strings, try that before you swap out the tuners.

The tremolo is not the problem. The tremolo accentuates the problem. The strings can slip on the tuning pegs of any guitar if you do not get them on right. Because using the tremolo pulls on the strings more, you see the tuning instability issue more clearly. However, if you do a lot of string bending that will also bring the tuning instability issue to light. The problem is strings slip at the tuning pegs if not properly installed. Learn to properly install your strings and you do a lot to cure tuning instability issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae7HsWFRdYY

Later,

The only real advantage is you can change strings quickly as you don't need to wrap the strings round the tuning post multiple times. They clamp the string in the post so you just feed it through, pull it tight and the rotation of the peg clamps it. If you know how to fit a string the proper way you should have no problem. It's usually the nut of the guitar which causes tuning problems but guitarists go out and buy locking tuners as a remedy. Put a small amount of pencil graphite in the nut slots to help combat this but be sure to clean it out when you change strings as it builds up and deadens the open strings if you don't. Then spend your cash on better pickups. It's the best investment.

Locking tuners have a small screw in the end of the tuning peg. http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/p/914410/fender-sch... Once you've tuned the string you turn the screw inwards with a small screwdriver to lock it. They do stay in tune a bit longer than a non-locking tuner. What they won't do is make a tremelo behave. To do that you need a locking nut such as supplied with a Floyd Rose kit http://www.thomann.de/gb/floyd_rose_original_vibra... the locking nut is the bit in the middle with three posts on it.

They lock the string/wire into the tuning peg, they don't prevent the peg from turning. The mechanical nature of the worm drive keeps the pegs from turning.

The strings stretch the guitar needs tuning ... locking tuners don't stop the stretch.