Complete Buyer’s Guide For The Best Locking Guitar Tuners 2021
An out of tune guitar is probably every guitarist’s worst nightmare. Locking guitar tuners are here to save the day. They will help keep your strings in check. This complete buyer’s guide will guide you on the uses and benefits of locking guitar tuners and how you can choose the best one for you.
What Are Locking Guitar Tuners?
Locking guitar tuners are designed to keep your guitar strings in place and prevent them from becoming loose every now and then. Loose strings cause the guitar to become out of tune and tuning the guitar regularly can be a hassle. There are many different types and versions of locking guitar tuners, and your choice will depend on the guitar you have and your personal preferences. The basic job of locking guitar tuners is to minimize the slipping of strings which can cause the guitar to become out of tune. Most locking tuners are small and will not damage the look of your guitar. In fact, people who are not very familiar with guitars may not even notice them.
Of course installing a locking tuner on your guitar does not mean that your guitar will never go out of tune. There are reasons other than loose strings that can detune your guitar. However, the frequency with which you will need to tune the guitar will reduce by a large extent. Guitarists who love to play tunes like the vibrato technique will benefit the most from locking guitar tuners because these kinds of techniques detune guitars the most.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Locking Guitar Tuners?
Locking guitar tuners have a lot of advantages. Here are a few of them.
Increase Tuning Stability
Of course the main benefit is that they increase the tuning stability of the guitar. They help secure the strings to the head of the guitar which reduces the need to tune and restring your guitar frequently. The result is a better sounding and a studio worthy guitar.
Make String Changing Easy
Locking guitar tuners have the benefit of making the string changing process easier and quicker. You will not need to wrap the string around so that the string clamps on itself and does not slip. All you need to do is put the string through the hole, wrap it around a few times, and cut off the excess string. The rest will be done by the locking guitar tuner.
Affordable
Locking guitar tuners are not very expensive. The most common price range is between $30-$90, which is pretty reasonable compared to other guitar accessories. Installing a locking guitar tuner on a beginner’s guitar can have a positive impact on its performance and sound.
Easy Installation
To install locking guitar tuners, you only need to remove the current tuners and install the new ones in. The process will take 10 minutes tops and all you need is a flat headed screwdriver. You can easily do it at home yourself and this will save you the expense of going to a guitar shop and getting the tuners installed.
What Are Some Important Factors To Consider Before Buying Locking Guitar Tuners?
Keeping these few factors in mind will give you a headstart when you are browsing for locking tuners for your guitar.
Configuration
You need to make sure that the locking guitar tuner you buy is designed specifically for the configuration of your guitar. Different guitar configurations include a 3x3 setup, a 4x3 setup, and a 6-in-line set up. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if the locking tuner will be compatible with your guitar’s configuration.
Shaft Hole Size
Different guitars have different sized shaft holes. When buying a locking tuner, confirm with the manufacturer if the tuner will be compatible with the shaft holes of your guitar. If the tuner is bigger than your shaft holes, you can make them bigger. However, buying the right size will save you the trouble of permanently modifying your guitar.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio is the number of turns it takes to turn the post through a full rotation. The lower the ratio, the lesser the number of turns required, so the quicker the process. However, a lower gear ratio is not always viable because it requires much more precise movements than a higher gear ratio.
What Kinds Of Guitars Can Locking Guitars Tuners Be Used On?
The simple answer is that locking tuners can be used on any kind of guitar, be it electric or acoustic. However, locking guitar tuners are installed more commonly on electric guitars. But, this does not mean that people do not use them on acoustics. It is just a little harder to find the right configuration and correct sized shaft holes for acoustic guitars. If you find the right dimensions, you are in luck!
One of the main reasons why locking tuners are not used for acoustic guitars is that they add weight to the headstock. Acoustics are usually lightweight so some people do not like the added weight on the headstock. Electric guitars, on the other hand, are already heavier than acoustics, so they can withstand the weight of locking guitar tuners better. No matter what kind of guitar you have, make sure you buy a locking tuner with the right dimensions for the best results.
FAQs
Do locking guitar tuners affect tone?
Locking guitar tuners do not have an impact on the tone themselves. They are heavier than regular tuners so some guitarists might not be used to the added weight, and the change in technique can cause a change in tone.
Are locking guitar tuners worth it?
Locking guitar tuners have almost the same price as regular tuners, so they are definitely worth it. This is because you are getting added benefits at the same price. If you can find the correct dimensions in your locking tuner that match your guitar, they are worth the price.
Do I need a locking nut if I already have a locking guitar tuner?
The purpose of a locking nut is to keep the string in place. A locking guitar tuner pretty much has the same function, so you do not need both the equipment. If you already have one, do not buy the other one.
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