locking tuner question.

Ramo

AmTHRASHador of Chugz
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looking to get new locking tuners for my ltd EC 256... I don't want to make new holes and looking for something that is direct replacement. I bought Gotoh locking tuners SG301 Magnum Locking Tuners Machine Heads MGT4 X 1 and they didnt fit...


looking to buy this one Graph Tech PRL-8341-C0 Ratio Locking

whats your expertise, will it fit without any mods?


thanks
 
They are "no drill" and need a 10mm headstock hole. Your guitar, being non- USA should have 10mm holes, so you should be OK.

Why do you need locking tuners on a non trem guitar?
 
I have locking tuners ( Grover Mini Rotomatic Locking) on my Tele. The benefit of them is quicker string changes ( they barely make 1 full wrap) and they stay in tune far better than standard tuners, especially if paired with a roller, brass or graphite nut.

Ironically, it is using locking tuners with a locking nut that is redundant, not the other way around.
 
I put a set of Schaller lockers on one of my Jacksons, the DK2M. Totally unnecessary with the locking nut, and it made that guitar neck-heavy. I don't even put a full wind around the posts. About a 90° angle give or take, to the strings after they come over the nut is all.

I should install them on something that has no trem. Hadn't really thought about it, until now.
 
I put some on the EPi V because it came with 5 gold grovers and 1 silver one (uhm???) so I was wanting a matched set -- so tried wilkinson lockers -- so far very impressed
 
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I put a set of Schaller lockers on one of my Jacksons, the DK2M. Totally unnecessary with the locking nut, and it made that guitar neck-heavy. I don't even put a full wind around the posts. About a 90° angle give or take, to the strings after they come over the nut is all.

I should install them on something that has no trem. Hadn't really thought about it, until now.
My Lzzy Hale, Goldtop and Custom shop came with locking tuners as did the Godins. @Ramo covered it pretty well. I really like them.
 
looking to get new locking tuners for my ltd EC 256... I don't want to make new holes and looking for something that is direct replacement. I bought Gotoh locking tuners SG301 Magnum Locking Tuners Machine Heads MGT4 X 1 and they didnt fit...


looking to buy this one Graph Tech PRL-8341-C0 Ratio Locking

whats your expertise, will it fit without any mods?


thanks
The Graph Tech Ratio fits in the smaller hole without drilling.
Each tuner has an adapter plate. (it comes with 4 different style adapter plates)
The adapter plates that come with the tuners are just plain aluminum silver.
The adpter plate lines up with the original screw hole.

But you can buy gold or black adapter plates it costs extra.
The tuners also come in Gold, chrome or black, but the stock adapter is still silver.

The Ratio tuners do have an obvious advantage and I was happy with the results.

If you want a guitar to stay in tune you need to lock, stretch, and re-tune the string.
Do this over and over until the string stays in tune when you bend the string....
(I always lock the strings when I change them)

You can see the adapter plate under each tuner in the photo.

IMG_2773.JPG
 
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My Lzzy Hale, Goldtop and Custom shop came with locking tuners as did the Godins. @Ramo covered it pretty well. I really like them.
Does the Lzzy seem a bit neck heavy?
I'm thinking of putting these lockers on my Gib Explorer. Not sure if they'd fit yet, but if they do, I might just go ahead and stick em on there.
 
I put a set of Schaller lockers on one of my Jacksons, the DK2M. Totally unnecessary with the locking nut, and it made that guitar neck-heavy. I don't even put a full wind around the posts. About a 90° angle give or take, to the strings after they come over the nut is all.

I should install them on something that has no trem. Hadn't really thought about it, until now.
I have a set of Schaller lockers on my Jackson Franken7. Love them. Major upgrade to the Jackson branded non-locking ones it came with. My Pro HT7 has Gotohs, stock and the tuning on the guitar is rock solid.
 
My Strat came with Fender locking tuners. I like them…. If for no other reason than it sure makes changing strings go faster. When I started gathering pieces for my FrankenTele, ordered a set of staggered Gotoh locking tuners. Which also eliminates the need for the string tree(s).
 
Does the Lzzy seem a bit neck heavy?
I'm thinking of putting these lockers on my Gib Explorer. Not sure if they'd fit yet, but if they do, I might just go ahead and stick em on there.
Yes Ratio do fit without drilling the hole.
The adapter plate lines up with original screw holes.
It's marvelous.

Although, if I ever drill the holes out bigger for Grovers, (Gotohs), I don't use a drill.
It's possible that a drill may damage or crack the wood...
I use a hand reamer.
I recommend you always use a reamer instead of a drill just for safety.
1646355043830.jpg
 
Yes Ratio do fit without drilling the hole.
The adapter plate lines up with original screw holes.
It's marvelous.

Although, if I ever drill the holes out bigger for Grovers, (Gotohs), I don't use a drill.
It's possible that a drill may damage or crack the wood...
I use a hand reamer.
I recommend you always use a reamer instead of a drill just for safety.
View attachment 81089
A tapered reamer is not the best choice for the job since you won't get an even hole from top to bottom, although it will get the job done. I do agree that a drill can be dangerous.

I use a tap with a hand chuck, or you can use a drill bit if you don't have a tap.
 
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A tapered reamer is not the best choice for the job since you won't get an even hole from top to bottom, although it will get the job done. I do agree that a drill can be dangerous.

I use a tap with a hand chuck, or you can use a drill bit if you don't have a tap.
I don’t own a reamer. But when I’ve had to make a hole larger…. I just start with the next 1/64” bigger bit and twist it thru with my fingers. Keep increasing size a 1/64 at a time till I get the correct size. Maybe I’ve been lucky…. But to date doing it that way I haven’t chipped finish on any guitar. Probably not the easiest way to do it….. but it’s worked for me.
 
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