Fender 6 Screw Tremolo Divebomber Setup:

Eek, it's the Big Tremolo trying to silence us who stay in tune without locking anything! I better wrap my strat in tin foil for the night...
 
That's an outrageously stupid thing to do... Complain about an instructional video! I have to agree with Aon: that reeks of Big Guitar Hardware corporate minions meddling and intimidating... :unsure:
 
Robert Herndon said:
Nothing wrong with the lockers. I object to the added weight, but I actually prefer the hollow-post tuners...
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This is definitely a personal taste thing. Each person has to make his/her own decision. But, the added weight doesn’t bother me. However, I can see how some could be annoyed with my 2014 SG Original 2. That guitar already has a wide “D” profile neck and it’s not especially thin, making for a heavier neck. I have locking tuners on that guitar and they do make neck dive a little more of an issue. But, that’s never been a real annoyance for me. Some people are really bothered by SG neck dive. I don’t criticize them because I understand their point of view. But, I personally was never really put off by it.

I also have the Fender lockers in my Strat and really like them.
 
smitty_p said:
This is definitely a personal taste thing. Each person has to make his/her own decision. But, the added weight doesn’t bother me. However, I can see how some could be annoyed with my 2014 SG Original 2. That guitar already has a wide “D” profile neck and it’s not especially thin, making for a heavier neck. I have locking tuners on that guitar and they do make neck dive a little more of an issue. But, that’s never been a real annoyance for me. Some people are really bothered by SG neck dive. I don’t criticize them because I understand their point of view. But, I personally was never really put off by it.

I also have the Fender lockers in my Strat and really like them.
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No argument from me.

I like how light this Stratocaster is at around 5 pounds, even with a brass block and saddles. After back to back 3 hour sets, I came to appreciate this feature.

I like how clean the hollow post tuners are and how fast I can string them. Plus, the short post, vintage tuners eliminate the need for string trees - an important point in tremolo function.

20210629_071342.jpg

On the vintage tuners, I cut each string to a specific length that I have printed on a card. Then, each string has the same number of winds and down angle.

20210616_152744.jpg

I'm "unofficially" doing Fender warranty service overflow for our local tech, so I'm getting greater exposure to these situations.
 
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smitty_p said:
Seriously? They said that?

Well, that’s dumber than a box of feral pet rocks!

With just a little work, I was able to get my stock, two-point trem to stay in tune on my Strat. And, that was before you posted any videos or posts about it.

Maybe, I should post a video and see if I get blocked!
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UPDATE:

Upon appeal, FB said to "Remove all references to Floyd Rose" and "works as good as a Floyd Rose" from your title and description..."
 
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Robert Herndon said:
On the vintage tuners, I cut each string to a specific length that I have printed on a card. Then, each string has the same number of winds and down angle.
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How long do you cut your high e string?

I have some issues when changing strings that it won't always settle right away and keeps slipping on the post. If I cut it too short, it'll slip right off when tuning up.

Otherwise, the split-post vintage tuners are hands down the best tuner design in my opinion too. I wish someone made a decent quality set that's a drop in replacement for Les Paul...

EDIT: Maybe this but I don't know how good Grovers are? Grover 133NK Deluxe 3+3
 
smitty_p said:
Hint: Get locking tuners!
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aon said:
How long do you cut your high e string?

I have some issues when changing strings that it won't always settle right away and keeps slipping on the post. If I cut it too short, it'll slip right off when tuning up.

Otherwise, the split-post vintage tuners are hands down the best tuner design in my opinion too. I wish someone made a decent quality set that's a drop in replacement for Les Paul...

EDIT: Maybe this but I don't know how good Grovers are? Grover 133NK Deluxe 3+3
Click to expand...

On vintage, split-post Stratocaster tuners, I cut the strings to the following lengths:

E - 30-1/2"
A - 31-1/2"
D - 32-1/2"
g - 34-3/4"
b - 35-1/2"
e - 36-1/2"

And this is what it looks like when cut to those specs:

20210525_150648.jpg

Now, on a regular tuner, I place 3 fingers vertically behind the nut and wind from there on wound strings and 4 fingers vertical behind the nut for plain strings.

This was the method Wayne Charvel showed me back in the 1980's and it works.

Here's what this method looks like on a 3+3 shown on my personal Les Paul:

20210722_051425.jpg

And a close up of the plain string wraps:

20210722_051700.jpg

I never have issues with slippage with this method.

Here's how the "finger stacking" method for setting string length looks:

20210722_051846.jpg
 
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smitty_p said:
Hint: Get locking tuners!
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Nothing wrong with locking tuners, but if strings are wound correctly, there is no need for them.

I can set up between 15-20 guitars in a 4 hour period (when I'm helping a local luthier/warranty tech out) and I can string a standard tuner just as fast as a locking.

Many believe that a locking tuner will help keep a guitar in tune. The reality is, the "locking" feature only helps capture and hold the string. It doesn't offer any benefit for a person who can install strings properly and its no more secure once under tension.

I have also seen expensive locking tuners slip and guys get on the thumbwheel with pliers and ruin or break the key in the process.

My Schecter Hellraiser C1FR has standard Grover tuners and they are very good quality.

When I bought my 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute, it had Ratio Locking Tuners on it. I gave them to @eSGEe and installed the old Gibson Green Keys. Never had a tuning problem from string slippage.
 
aon said:
How long do you cut your high e string?

I have some issues when changing strings that it won't always settle right away and keeps slipping on the post. If I cut it too short, it'll slip right off when tuning up.

Otherwise, the split-post vintage tuners are hands down the best tuner design in my opinion too. I wish someone made a decent quality set that's a drop in replacement for Les Paul...

EDIT: Maybe this but I don't know how good Grovers are? Grover 133NK Deluxe 3+3
Click to expand...

I can make a string change video if that would help...
 
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