firejack
Well-known member
I now have 3 different brands of locking tuners in some of my guitars and thought I'd comment on how they compare.
My Edwards Sykes LP has the Planet Waves.
My Ibanez PGM301 has the Gotoh Magnums
And my PRS SE Korina has the Schaller Minis.
PLANET WAVES LOCKING TUNERS:
The Planet Waves are excellent.
Installation was a breeze, and they are dead simple to use.
The thumbscrew system is a winner for me.
They lock the strings in instantly and there is zero string-stretching required.
The tuning shifts a fraction for the first few string bends and hard strums, and then locks down solid.
I thought the built-in string cutting mechanism was going to be a silly gimmick, but it's actually quite handy.
Makes for the fastest string changes of the 3 brands (by a whisker).
One thing that might concern some people is the added weight that the thumbscrew-type mechanisms add to the headstock.
It's not a drastic change but it is noticeable.
It doesn't bother me at all though.
My main concern with the Planet Waves is the appearance.
Luckily they actually look quite good on my all-black & chrome Sykes LP, but on a different color the results mightn't look so pleasing.
Another thing is that the Planet Waves string posts are the same height as a standard tuner's string posts.
They don't take advantage of the fact that you don't need the extra length due to no longer having to wind the string around the post a few times.
PROS:
-Automatic string-cutting feature is really quite handy.
-Fastest string changing of the three brands.
-Near-instantaneous tuning stability.
-Silky-smooth tuning action.
CONS:
-Might not suit some guitars due to their mix of black & chrome with white insignia.
-Added weight to headstock as they are slightly heavier than standard tuners.
-Unlike the Gotoh and Schaller, they don't pull the strings down further than a standard tuner.
GOTOH MAGNUM LOCKING TUNERS:
The Gotoh were my least favorite.
I found them slightly more finicky to install than the Planet Waves and Schallers due to the different locking mechanism.
The mechanism turns with the socket-tool when screwing the string-clamping section of the tuner through the headstock and onto the gear mechanism of the tuner (only a slight niggle, and admittedly I probably only found it irritating because of the extremely simple experience installing the other 2 brands).
They are also slightly more complicated and fidgety to operate when changing strings.
You have to unlock the locking mechanism with a coin or screw driver, set the hole for the string to go through, pull the string very tight and then wind like a madman until the string locks in place automatically.
Finally, after you've wound quite a few times and the string has locked in place, you can tune the string up to pitch.
This is still a lot faster than a standard tuner, but compared to the thumb-screw type tuners it is a noticeably slower procedure.
Now here is my biggest gripe about the Gotoh's...
The tuning wandered around for a long time.
It wasn't until the next day that the strings finally settled and tuning stability locked down.
I restrung with each brand of locking tuner exactly the same way without stretching the strings, and yet the other 2 brands stabilized the tuning almost immediately.
It also wasn't caused by the weather, as I kept switching between guitars during the testing period.
On the plus side, the Gotoh Magnums look no different from the standard Gotoh tuners that were already on the guitar, so the guitar's appearance hasn't changed at all and there is no added weight to the headstock.
The added weight of the thumbscrew-type tuners doesn't bother me at all, but it might be something to consider if you are shopping around for locking tuners.
Also, the Gotohs bring the strings down a bit closer to the headstock.
This seems to add a fraction more punch and sustain.
PROS:
-Plain aesthetics enable them to blend in and not change the guitar's appearance.
-No added weight to headstock as they weigh almost the same as standard tuners.
-Pull strings closer to headstock than normal tuners.
-Silky-smooth tuning action.
CONS:
-Finicky locking mechanism.
-String changes not as fast as the thumbscrew-type locking tuners.
-Tuning seems to drift for quite a bit longer than the thumbscrew-type locking tuners.
SCHALLER MINI LOCKING TUNERS:
These are my favorite locking tuner and I have ordered two more sets for my other two PRS SE guitars.
Installation is just too easy.
They are a joy to use and make for lightning fast, fuss-free string changes (just a fraction slower than the Planet Waves due to having to cut the string manually).
I find the thumbscrew mechanism is just hands down the best locking system by far.
The biggest drawcard for me is the Schaller's classy appearance.
They would suit any type of guitar and seem to add something to the overall look of the guitar without being too noticeable.
They also have the shorter string posts that pull the strings down closer to the headstock.
Like the Planet Waves, the Schallers stabilize the tuning almost instantly.
Just a few quick bends, a few strums and only minutes later the tuning is rock solid.
But also like the Planet Waves, the Schallers add a bit of weight to the headstock.
Again, that doesn't bother me in the slightest... but as I said before it might be something for you to consider when deciding which brand to go with.
PROS:
-Lightning fast string changes.
-Near-instantaneous tuning stability.
-Look great on any guitar.
-Plain aesthetics enable them to blend in and not change the guitar's appearance.
-Pull strings down closer to headstock than normal tuners.
-Silky-smooth tuning action.
CONS:
-Added weight to headstock as they are slightly heavier than standard tuners.
SUMMARY:
All 3 tuners have their own strengths and weaknesses.
But most importantly they all operate very smoothly and eventually keep the tuning stability rock solid.
You can't go wrong with either brand.
They are each a big improvement over standard tuners.
For my tastes and preferences...
The Schaller's win with their elegant appearance and short string post.
The Planet Waves are a close second due to their busy appearance and taller string posts.
The Gotohs do a great job also, but by comparison have a clumsy locking mechanism and seemed to take a little longer to stabilize the tuning.
Here's a final pic of the difference in height of the locking tuners with the shorter string posts vs the standard tuners:
My Edwards Sykes LP has the Planet Waves.
My Ibanez PGM301 has the Gotoh Magnums
And my PRS SE Korina has the Schaller Minis.
PLANET WAVES LOCKING TUNERS:
The Planet Waves are excellent.
Installation was a breeze, and they are dead simple to use.
The thumbscrew system is a winner for me.
They lock the strings in instantly and there is zero string-stretching required.
The tuning shifts a fraction for the first few string bends and hard strums, and then locks down solid.
I thought the built-in string cutting mechanism was going to be a silly gimmick, but it's actually quite handy.
Makes for the fastest string changes of the 3 brands (by a whisker).
One thing that might concern some people is the added weight that the thumbscrew-type mechanisms add to the headstock.
It's not a drastic change but it is noticeable.
It doesn't bother me at all though.
My main concern with the Planet Waves is the appearance.
Luckily they actually look quite good on my all-black & chrome Sykes LP, but on a different color the results mightn't look so pleasing.
Another thing is that the Planet Waves string posts are the same height as a standard tuner's string posts.
They don't take advantage of the fact that you don't need the extra length due to no longer having to wind the string around the post a few times.
PROS:
-Automatic string-cutting feature is really quite handy.
-Fastest string changing of the three brands.
-Near-instantaneous tuning stability.
-Silky-smooth tuning action.
CONS:
-Might not suit some guitars due to their mix of black & chrome with white insignia.
-Added weight to headstock as they are slightly heavier than standard tuners.
-Unlike the Gotoh and Schaller, they don't pull the strings down further than a standard tuner.
GOTOH MAGNUM LOCKING TUNERS:
The Gotoh were my least favorite.
I found them slightly more finicky to install than the Planet Waves and Schallers due to the different locking mechanism.
The mechanism turns with the socket-tool when screwing the string-clamping section of the tuner through the headstock and onto the gear mechanism of the tuner (only a slight niggle, and admittedly I probably only found it irritating because of the extremely simple experience installing the other 2 brands).
They are also slightly more complicated and fidgety to operate when changing strings.
You have to unlock the locking mechanism with a coin or screw driver, set the hole for the string to go through, pull the string very tight and then wind like a madman until the string locks in place automatically.
Finally, after you've wound quite a few times and the string has locked in place, you can tune the string up to pitch.
This is still a lot faster than a standard tuner, but compared to the thumb-screw type tuners it is a noticeably slower procedure.
Now here is my biggest gripe about the Gotoh's...
The tuning wandered around for a long time.
It wasn't until the next day that the strings finally settled and tuning stability locked down.
I restrung with each brand of locking tuner exactly the same way without stretching the strings, and yet the other 2 brands stabilized the tuning almost immediately.
It also wasn't caused by the weather, as I kept switching between guitars during the testing period.
On the plus side, the Gotoh Magnums look no different from the standard Gotoh tuners that were already on the guitar, so the guitar's appearance hasn't changed at all and there is no added weight to the headstock.
The added weight of the thumbscrew-type tuners doesn't bother me at all, but it might be something to consider if you are shopping around for locking tuners.
Also, the Gotohs bring the strings down a bit closer to the headstock.
This seems to add a fraction more punch and sustain.
PROS:
-Plain aesthetics enable them to blend in and not change the guitar's appearance.
-No added weight to headstock as they weigh almost the same as standard tuners.
-Pull strings closer to headstock than normal tuners.
-Silky-smooth tuning action.
CONS:
-Finicky locking mechanism.
-String changes not as fast as the thumbscrew-type locking tuners.
-Tuning seems to drift for quite a bit longer than the thumbscrew-type locking tuners.
SCHALLER MINI LOCKING TUNERS:
These are my favorite locking tuner and I have ordered two more sets for my other two PRS SE guitars.
Installation is just too easy.
They are a joy to use and make for lightning fast, fuss-free string changes (just a fraction slower than the Planet Waves due to having to cut the string manually).
I find the thumbscrew mechanism is just hands down the best locking system by far.
The biggest drawcard for me is the Schaller's classy appearance.
They would suit any type of guitar and seem to add something to the overall look of the guitar without being too noticeable.
They also have the shorter string posts that pull the strings down closer to the headstock.
Like the Planet Waves, the Schallers stabilize the tuning almost instantly.
Just a few quick bends, a few strums and only minutes later the tuning is rock solid.
But also like the Planet Waves, the Schallers add a bit of weight to the headstock.
Again, that doesn't bother me in the slightest... but as I said before it might be something for you to consider when deciding which brand to go with.
PROS:
-Lightning fast string changes.
-Near-instantaneous tuning stability.
-Look great on any guitar.
-Plain aesthetics enable them to blend in and not change the guitar's appearance.
-Pull strings down closer to headstock than normal tuners.
-Silky-smooth tuning action.
CONS:
-Added weight to headstock as they are slightly heavier than standard tuners.
SUMMARY:
All 3 tuners have their own strengths and weaknesses.
But most importantly they all operate very smoothly and eventually keep the tuning stability rock solid.
You can't go wrong with either brand.
They are each a big improvement over standard tuners.
For my tastes and preferences...
The Schaller's win with their elegant appearance and short string post.
The Planet Waves are a close second due to their busy appearance and taller string posts.
The Gotohs do a great job also, but by comparison have a clumsy locking mechanism and seemed to take a little longer to stabilize the tuning.
Here's a final pic of the difference in height of the locking tuners with the shorter string posts vs the standard tuners:
Is that still the case or have any of these companies created a "drop in" replacement for a LP?
